If I Could – Details, episodes & analysis

Send us a text

What if your struggles could transform into your greatest opportunities? In our latest episode, we welcome Riaz Surti, the visionary founder and president of Hearty Foods. Riaz's story is a testament to resilience and innovation. He takes us on a journey from his humble beginnings working at a local KFC to becoming a trailblazer in the wellness food industry. How did a young man, once a struggling student, come to revolutionize the fast-food landscape with a passion for quality and service? Listen as Riaz shares the pivotal moments that shaped his career and entrepreneurial spirit.

Riaz's story is not just one of personal triumph but also a masterclass in business acumen. From pioneering food delivery services in the 1990s to creating a successful halal frozen food brand, his journey is filled with unconventional strategies and bold moves. Riaz's innovative marketing tactics, like samosa demos at Whole Foods and roadshows at Costco, showcase his ability to identify and seize opportunities in the market. These efforts not only expanded Crave Foods across the U.S. but also demonstrated how creativity and adaptability can drive business success.

Beyond business, Riaz offers profound insights into the personal philosophies that fuel his journey. He emphasizes the importance of aligning one's public and private selves, maintaining consistency and discipline, and nurturing a spiritual connection. Riaz believes a positive mindset and spiritual discipline can turn challenges into stepping stones for success. This episode is rich with inspiration and practical advice, making it a must-listen for aspiring entrepreneurs eager to learn from a true trailblazer's experiences and insights.

Contact us: @ificouldpodcast
LISTEN. SUBSCRIBE. RATE. REVIEW. Apple Spotify

Send us a text

Welcome back to another episode of the If I Could Podcast, where we take a look at how a person made their dream turn into reality.  I’m your host, Amad Amin.

I am excited about today’s episode.  I got a chance to speak to Dr. Nourahmadi.  His story is not too different than many of ours.  He grew up wanting to be an entrepreneur but pursued Dentistry as it was a more stable career.  However, Dr. N. didn’t leave his love for entrepreneurship at the door, he figured out how to make his Dentistry degree into a pathway to continue his passion for business.

If you want to Connect with Dr. N, you can find him at https://www.drndentist.com/ or see any of his Dental locations at Shining Smiles Dentistry.

If you liked this episode, please let us know by rating the show and leaving a comment.  I would love to hear from you.

Contact us: @ificouldpodcast
LISTEN. SUBSCRIBE. RATE. REVIEW. Apple Spotify

Send us a text

In this episode of the If I Could Podcast, we will meet Tina Ullman.  A creative director and graphic designer by day, and powerlifting champion by night.  It was just over 2 years ago, when Tina discovered the sport of powerlifting.  In that short amount of time, she has gone on to hold over 21 state records for Ohio with the United States Powerlifting Association, 16 state records for Ohio, 7 American records in the American Powerlifting Association, and 12 world records in the World Powerlifting Alliance.  

You can find out more about Tina on IG through @tina7148, and learn about her training team on IG @wolfepackliftingteam.

Also, if you are enjoying the show, please leave a few comments and rate the show, I would love to hear from you! 

So, how did Tina start her journey to becoming a powerlifter, let’s find out…

Show Overview:

• Opening Remarks:  0 to 1:30
• Introduction to Tina:  1:30 to 2:20
• The Journey to Powerlifting:  2:20 to 12:00
• The Mindset When Competing:  12:00 to 23:40
• World Record in Sight:  23:40 to 31:50
• Trivia and Reflection:  31:50 to 47:55
• Wrap-up and Introduction to the Next Guest:  47:55 to 48:52

Contact us: @ificouldpodcast
LISTEN. SUBSCRIBE. RATE. REVIEW. Apple Spotify

Send us a text

Welcome back to another episode of the If I Could Podcast, A show that gives you an inside view at what steps a person took to start living their dream.  I’m your host, Amad Amin.

In today’s episode, we will meet Zubair Mohajir.  He is the founder of the Wazwan Restaurant Group.  He has worked at Thomas Keller’s Bouchon, at Gaggan in Bangkok, Thailand, and is about to open his highly anticipated South Asian flavored cuisine restaurant called Aman.

You can find out more about Zubair on IG through wazwanrestaurantgroup and amanonchicago, and also on the web at https://www.amanchicago.com 

So, how did Zubair start his journey to becoming a Chef, let’s find out…

Story Highlights:

• Introduction to Zubair:  0 to 1:10
• The catalyst: 1:10 to 6:43
• Pursuing the art of cooking:  6:43 to 12:43
• Working at the Pump Room:  12:43 to 16:20
• Journey to Bouchon:  16:20 to 18:04
• Finding Wazwan:  18:04 to 23:48
• From Wazwan to Aman:  23:48 to 29:38
• Trivia:  29:38 to 34:50
• Reflection and Big 3:  34:50 to 42:57
• Wrap-up and introduction to next guest:  42:57 to 44:13

Like the show?  Please leave us a review, we would love to hear from you.  (click here)

Contact us: @ificouldpodcast
LISTEN. SUBSCRIBE. RATE. REVIEW. Apple Spotify

Send us a text

Welcome back to another episode of the If I Could Podcast, a show that gives you an inside view at what steps a person took to start living their dream.  I’m your host, Amad Amin.

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to live the life of a poet?  Well, in today’s episode, we will do just that.  Faisal Mohyuddin was kind enough to join us on the show.  He is a writer, artist, and educator.  The author of The Displaced Children of Displaced Children and The Riddle of Longing, and an award winner in poetry.

Faisal shares with us his incredible journey into writing that led to him becoming a poet.  He was also very gracious to read one of his poems called “Song”.   

You can find Faisal on the web at https://www.faisalmohyuddin.com, and on Instagram and Facebook at FaisalMohyuddin.

So, how did Faisal start his journey to becoming a poet, let’s find out…

Story highlights:

• Introduction to Faisal:  0 to 1:26
• The love of writing:  1:26 to 7:05
• The college years:  7:05 to 11:28
• Finding a path post-college:  11:28 to 16:06
• From writer to author:  16:06 to 21:28
• "Song":  21:28 to 32:16
• Post-book release life:  32:16 to 40:36
• The next pursuit:  40:36 to 47:25
• Wrap-up and big 3:  47:25 to 55:40
• Conclusion and introduction to next episode's guest:  55:40 to 56:48

Like the show?  Please leave us a review (click here)

Contact us: @ificouldpodcast
LISTEN. SUBSCRIBE. RATE. REVIEW. Apple Spotify

Send us a text

Welcome back to another episode of the If I Could Podcast, a show that gives you an inside view at what steps a person took to start living their dream.

In today’s episode, we will meet Rehan Jalali.  He is the President of the Supplement Research Foundation, CEO  at mygenxdna, he is a nationally recognized Certified Sports Nutritionist, an author of the sixpackdietplan, his clients range from Ben Affleck to Sylvester Stallone, and he recently gave a TED talk, where he performed the very first plank.  He also has a movie coming out called Rehan, the making of a superhero body. 

You can find Rehan on Instagram and twitter at sixpackdietplan, and on the web at rehanjalali.com. 

So, how did Rehan start his journey to becoming a celebrity trainer, let’s find out…

Story highlights:

• Introduction to Rehan:  0 to 1:27
• Background on Rehan:  1:27 to 4:02
• Growing up in Texas:  4:02 to 7:52
• Introduction to bodybuilding:  7:52 to 11:57
• Studying nutrition:  11:57 to 15:55
• From college to working at EAS:  15:54 to 21:12
• From EAS to California:  21:12 to 23:12
• The call from Slyvestor Stallone:  23:12 to 32:01
• Future in genetics:  32:01 to 37:32
• Wrap-up and big 3:  37:32 to 40:17
• Conclusion and introduction to next episodes guest:  40:17 to 41:30

Like the show?  Please leave us a review (click here) - even a few words help!

Contact us: @ificouldpodcast
LISTEN. SUBSCRIBE. RATE. REVIEW. Apple Spotify

Send us a text

Welcome back to another episode of the If I Could Podcast, a show that gives you an inside view at what steps a person took to start living their dream.  I’m your host, Amad Amin. 

In today’s episode, we will meet Sam Alex.  Sam is the creator, executive producer, and host of the nationally syndicated radio program “The Sam Alex Show”.  Sam’s interviews have received coverage from a wide range of media outlets, including The Today Show, Variety, Entertainment Tonight, and E! News, just to name a few.  Sam shares his story for how he got interested in being on the radio and his relentless pursuit of following his dream. 

You can find Sam on IG, twitter, facebook, and youtube at samalexradio, and on the web at samalexradio.com.

So, how did Sam start his journey to getting on the radio, let’s find out…

Show highlights:

• Sam’s early years and interest in radio:  1:20 to 3:37
• College years:  3:37 to 9:09
• On air at Indiana University:  9:09 to 11:43
• On the rise:  11:43 to 17:02
• Camp broadcast:  17:02 to 22:17
• Reflection and guidance:  22:17 to 26:42
• Wrap up and introduction to the next guest:  26:42 to 28:02

Like the show? Please leave us a review (click here) - even a few words help! 
Post a picture of you listening on Instagram & tag us so we can thank you!!

Contact us: @ificouldpodcast
LISTEN. SUBSCRIBE. RATE. REVIEW. Apple Spotify

Send us a text

In today’s episode of the If I Could Podcast, we will meet Joe Hehn.  Joe is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to mindfulness, manifestation, and meditation.  You will hear how, through his own journey of self-discovery, Joe started to understand how to reprogram his mind, define his version of success, and help others along the way.

You can find Joe on Instagram and YouTube at Joe Hehn, he also has a website www.joe-hehn.com, and recently launched a master class on udemy that you should definitely check out. 

So, how did Joe start his journey to mindfulness, meditation, and manifestation?  let’s find out

Contact us: @ificouldpodcast
LISTEN. SUBSCRIBE. RATE. REVIEW. Apple Spotify

Send us a text

In today’s episode, we will meet DJ Flipside.  Flipside has had quite a remarkable career.  From his days spinning in college bars to being featured on Chicago's own B96 (Flipside at 5), and  being a producer for Jump Smokers.  You will hear his journey and how he has made a name for himself worldwide.

You can find Flipside on 104.3 Jams radio, on Twitch at DJFLIPSIDE33, and DJing at Chicago Bulls and White Sox games.

For all the latest news, you can go to his website www.djflipside.com, and even shop the flipside brand

So, how did Flipside go from DJing school parties and college bars to DJing across the world…let’s find out

Contact us: @ificouldpodcast
LISTEN. SUBSCRIBE. RATE. REVIEW. Apple Spotify

Send us a text

• In this episode of the If I Could Podcast, we will meet Grace Pisula.  Grace is an award winning photographer and filmmaker.  She founded Gold Point Studio in 2018.  Her experience has ranged from designer, cinematographer, animator, and film editor.  Grace was named Midwest Female Filmaker of the year in 2019.

You can connect with Grace on IG at gpthedp and at goldpointstudio.  You can visit her websites gracepisula.com and goldpointstudio.com.

So how did Grace go from an aspiring photographer to an owner of a production company?  Let’s find out.

Episode Details:

• Introduction to Grace:  1:15
• Gold Point Studio:  1:15 to 3:45
• College years, Photography to Film Study:  3:45 to 12:04
• Hollywood calls:  12:04 to 13:27
• Figuring out the what and the why:  13:27 to 19:05
• Path to starting a production company:  19:05 to 28:27
• Goldpoint Studio Present and Future:  28:27 to 33:15
• Perception vs. reality:  33:15 to 41:15
• Advice to filmmakers:  41:15 - 49:15
• Big 3 and wrap up:  49:15- 52:47
• Closing remarks and introduction to next guest:  52:47 - 53:58

Contact us: @ificouldpodcast
LISTEN. SUBSCRIBE. RATE. REVIEW. Apple Spotify