Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Heavy Victory

Sports have always played a role in Tricia Downing’s life. Whether it was participating in them as a kid and in college or building her career around them, she quickly developed an athletic mentality. It was that same mentality that helped her recover from a road cycling accident that instantly paralyzed her from the chest down. Tricia had to adjust to her new normal and she found success again in adaptive sports. She has competed in multiple triathlons and has represented the United States as a Paralympian shooter. She is also an accomplished author and public speaker.

While growing up in Canada, David Carle knew he wanted hockey to be a part of his future. Before beginning his freshman year at the University of Denver, David underwent medical testing at the NHL combine and that’s when his plans changed. He found out that he had a heart condition that would end his playing career. DU honored David’s scholarship and that’s when he began his path to coaching. Through perseverance and a new found approach to hockey, he became just as successful of a coach as he was a player.

Whitney Johns is a trainer, coach and entrepreneur. Her journey began at the age of 16 when she was battling migraines, chronic pain and mental health issues. Through trial and error, Whitney found that the holistic approach was the key to having better results. She was a professional bodybuilder and model, but has now shifted her focus to helping others perform at their highest level by forming a sustainable path and zoning in on gut, mental and hormone health.

Ryan Lavarnway has had a successful career on and off the baseball diamond and he credits that to the “Why Not” mindset. Ryan went from not making his high school varsity baseball team to being a World Series champion and Olympian. When his professional career ended, he transitioned to a new adventure. Ryan is now a world renowned keynote speaker and leadership development coach. His goal is to help others strengthen their mindset to perform at their best.

Steve Foster came from a very humble beginning. He grew up in Philadelphia and learned lessons at a very young age that many of us shouldn’t have to. After a falling out with his family, Steve spent his late teenage years living in his car and despite the odds being stacked against him, he was the first person in his family to graduate from high school. He went on to join the Air Force, be a decorated police officer and he is currently the Founder and CEO of Spears Technologies. Steve has been a leader from day one and now he is teaching others how to embrace that role.

Zack Steffen started playing soccer at a young age, but he wasn’t always a goalkeeper. One day he got the chance to fill in at the position, was good at it and decided to stick with it. Zack has experienced success at the collegiate, professional and international levels. But that success didn’t come without challenges. He has moved around the world, overcame injuries and learned how to be a good teammate when he was forced to watch the match from the sidelines. Even though Zack is rehabbing another significant injury, he has found a home with the Colorado Rapids. 

When 9/11 happened, Karl “Gus” Gustavson knew that he wanted to serve others and after that day, he was on a path to do that in both his military and post military career. Senior Chief Special Warfare Operator (SEAL) Gustavson was severely injured in a shooting during a combat operation, but he used that as motivation to not let that mission be his last one. Since retiring from a decorated 22 year military career; Gus has become a motivational speaker, founded Logos Leadership and Team Building LLC and is the director of operations for the nonprofit organization, Community First Project.  

What is it about high achievers accomplishing more than most will dare, and those who overcome obstacles that many would find too much to bear? For Sergeant Justin Dodge, a leader in Denver's METRO/SWAT unit, who lost his leg during the Denver Nuggets Championship parade yet returned to fully operational status in under a year, the answer is the active pursuit of wellness. Join him as he shares his 29 years of experience with the Denver Police Department, and two decades with the city's elite, tier one, full-time tactical unit, to explore journeys through wellness, building resilience, managing setbacks and celebrating triumphs, with guests who have also achieved great things in life, sometimes with costly sacrifices. This is Heavy Victory.

Chris Camozzi is a retired UFC fighter, kickboxer and bare-knuckle boxer. His tough exterior doesn’t always seem to align with his kind demeanor. It is this combination though that has allowed him to be a successful professional athlete and also find a purpose in his personal life. 

Cyril Mauffrey is a clinically renowned orthopedic trauma surgeon at Denver Health Medical Center. He is also the Chair of the Department of Orthopedics, Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy.  Success didn’t always come easy for Dr. Mauffrey though. After failing medical school in France, he used that as a lesson to stay on track and fulfill his goal of being able to help others. As a surgeon and Department Chair he is doing just that not only for his patients, but their families and the team that he is leading as well. Justin knows firsthand how Dr. Mauffrey’’s care can change and impact the live he touches. Dr. Mauffrey is Justin’s surgeon and helped save a portion of his leg after his injury while working the Denver Nuggets championship parade.

Steve Hess is a high performance, longevity, and recovery coach. However, he is much more than that to his clients. Steve’s positive attitude is a driving force that stays with people long after they leave his facility, Hess Elite. As a kid growing up in South Africa, he didn’t always love school. But when Steve discovered he wanted to help people become the best versions of themselves, he quickly put all of his energy into his studies. That energy, his empathy and his knowledge has taken Steve from being the Director of Performance and strength coach for the Denver Nuggets to owning his own business. Steve is also Justin’s personal coach so this episode is definitely worth listening to!

Cody Donovan was one of the most fierce Mixed Martial Artists in the early 2000’s. Over time, he learned that the key to his success was choosing discipline. Even after retiring and transitioning to coaching, that still proved to be true. It was up to him to find his new purpose and he did just that while becoming a wonderful father and a mentor to those he was teaching.

For over three decades, Susie Wargin has been heard on the radio or TV in Denver. Whether she was playing music or talking about sports, Susie quickly became oneof the most successful women on the airwaves. Success didn’t come her way without putting in the time and work though. From working holidays to being anintern long after she was married and a mom, Susie will be the first to tell you that all of her career achievements wouldn’t have happened without paying her dues.

Ryan Harris isn’t a stranger to hard work. He is also not a stranger to success. After retiring from a 10 year NFL career with a Super Bowl championship, Ryan has become an award-winning broadcaster, keynote speaker, author and will graduate from law school at the end of 2026. He is always eager to learn more and take the next step to building an even brighter future for himself and his family.

Amy Van Dyken has been defying odds throughout her entire life. Despite being diagnosed with severe asthma at a very young age, she became one of the most decorated female athletes in Olympic history. It is that same attitude that has helped her during her recovery from a spinal cord injury due to an ATV accident.

In this premiere episode of the Heavy Victory podcast, Justin speaks with Vic Lombardi, one of the most recognizable voices in the Denver sports scene. Vic helps introduce listeners to Justin and they discuss the injury that changedhis life forever. During their conversation, they both find they have similar characteristics as Vic shares about his journey with prostate cancer.