In this powerful episode of Balance and Breakthroughs with Wil Singleton, Wil sits down with Terry Tucker—former NCAA Division I athlete, SWAT hostage negotiator, business leader, cancer survivor, author, and motivational speaker—to explore what it truly means to live with resilience and purpose.

Terry shares his remarkable journey from growing up on Chicago’s south side in a supportive, service-driven family to becoming the first in his family to graduate from college despite multiple knee surgeries. After a successful career in corporate marketing at Wendy’s International, Terry made a bold midlife pivot into law enforcement, eventually serving as a SWAT hostage negotiator—where mindset, emotional control, and empathy became critical tools for survival.

At age 51, Terry was diagnosed with a rare form of melanoma and given a devastating prognosis. Rather than surrender to fear, he transformed his diagnosis into a mission: to live fully, serve others, and redefine success through what he calls Sustainable Excellence. Drawing on lessons like the Stockdale Paradox, Terry explains how to balance unwavering faith with confronting harsh realities, focus on what can be controlled, and overcome negative thought patterns.

Throughout the conversation, Terry emphasizes the power of service, deep human connection, and purpose-driven living—challenging listeners to move beyond superficial social media interactions and choose resilience over resentment. His story is a compelling reminder that life’s greatest breakthroughs often emerge from its most difficult battles.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking clarity, courage, and a renewed sense of purpose in the face of adversity.

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In this deeply moving episode of Balance and Breakthroughs with Will, host Will Singleton sits down with author, father, and mental health advocate Mike Cuevas, whose story challenges everything we think we know about identity, healing, and strength.

Mike is the author of The Many Faces of Me, a raw and courageous memoir about living with dissociative identity disorder (DID). Formerly known as multiple personality disorder, DID is often misunderstood and stigmatized—and Mike is here to change that narrative.

With honesty, vulnerability, and profound insight, he shares how trauma shaped his nervous system, how shame and silence nearly cost him everything, and how safety, compassion, and courage helped him reclaim his life.

This conversation goes far beyond diagnosis. Mike opens up about masculinity, cultural expectations, fatherhood, generational healing, and what it truly means to accept every part of yourself—even the ones born out of survival. From facing trauma head-on, to rebuilding relationships, to becoming a “mountain of support” for his children, Mike’s journey is a powerful reminder that we are not broken—we adapted to survive.

Together, Will and Mike explore:

• The difference between asking “What’s wrong with me?” and “What happened to me?”
• How shame and stigma around mental health harm futures, not just feelings
• Why safety is the foundation of healing
• What self-care looks like when you’re learning to work with your nervous system, not against it
• How courage, compassion, and presence can break generational cycles

This episode is for anyone who has ever felt fragmented, misunderstood, or afraid to speak their truth—especially men navigating mental health in silence.

You are not alone. You are not broken. And every part of you has a story worth honoring.

To purchase Mike's book, please click here

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In this compelling episode of the Balance and Breakthroughs podcast, Kelli McCullough shares her powerful life and business journey rooted in grit, resilience, and reinvention. Growing up in a small Ohio town, Kelli once dreamed of a career in medicine before life led her down a very different path—one marked by determination, entrepreneurship, and hard-earned lessons.

Kelli reflects on spending a decade in retail while raising three children as a single mother, doing whatever it took to support their dreams—including washing airplanes to help her child Kelsey pursue pilot training. Her career later expanded into insurance and banking before she found her stride in the gutter industry, where her sales expertise helped grow a company to seven offices and positioned it for a planned $10 million sale.

When that deal fell apart and the business ultimately collapsed into debt, Kelli faced one of the most challenging periods of her life. In this episode, she candidly discusses business failure, leadership lessons, mentorship, trusting your instincts, and the risks of mixing personal relationships with professional ventures. Listeners will also hear how Kelli found the courage to start her own gutter business amid personal and professional uncertainty—all while striving to maintain balance with family.

This episode is a must-listen for entrepreneurs, sales professionals, leaders, and anyone navigating career transitions or rebuilding after setbacks. Kelli’s story is one of perseverance, wisdom, and growth—and it’s only the beginning, with more to come in a future episode.

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In this powerful and honest episode, Melissa DeGraft shares her nearly three-year fitness transformation—one that began with personal pain and the pursuit of a “revenge body” after a difficult marriage, but evolved into something far deeper.

Melissa opens up about the psychological challenges of body image, the dangers of using exercise as self-punishment, and why true transformation requires inner healing, self-love, and patience—not just physical change.

The conversation explores navigating societal judgment, shifting social circles, and learning to honor and trust your body while rejecting toxic habits and unrealistic expectations.

Melissa also offers practical advice for starting a fitness journey, the value of working with a personal trainer, and the mindset shifts necessary for lasting wellness. As a member of the host’s gym and a creator on Instagram and YouTube, Melissa brings an inspiring, grounded perspective on what it really means to transform from the inside out.

Key Points from the Episode

• Melissa DeGraft’s fitness journey began as a response to personal hardship and the desire for a “revenge body,” but evolved into deep internal healing
• True transformation goes beyond physical appearance and requires self-love, emotional work, and mindset shifts
• The psychological impact of body image and the danger of using exercise as punishment instead of self-care
• Learning to balance physical training with mental and emotional wellness
• Overcoming societal judgment and navigating changes in friendships and social circles
• The importance of patience, adaptability, and consistency in both fitness and life
• Honoring and trusting your body rather than fighting against it
• Letting go of toxic habits, all-or-nothing thinking, and unrealistic expectations
• Embracing self-acceptance and learning to love your body, including perceived flaws
• Practical advice for starting a fitness journey and the benefits of working with a personal trainer
• Building sustainable habits that support long-term wellness, not quick fixes

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In this deeply personal and emotional episode of Balance and Breakthroughs, Wil sits down with special guest Tara Tan to explore her profound journey through love, loss, faith, and healing. Tara shares the powerful story of how she met her late husband, Craig—an unexpected love that entered her life after heartbreak and at a time when she had completely stopped looking.

Tara describes Craig’s gentle persistence, his integrity, and the faith-centered connection that drew them together. Their relationship blossomed through shared spirituality, sincerity, and mutual respect. She recounts how Craig consistently made her feel safe, valued, and cherished—treating her as his wife long before their wedding day.

The episode takes a heartbreaking turn as Tara opens up about the tragic loss of Craig’s son only two months after their marriage, and how the overwhelming grief eventually claimed Craig’s own life less than a year later. She shares the painful reality of “broken heart syndrome,” and reflects on navigating widowhood, honoring her husband’s memory, and rediscovering herself through faith.

Tara also speaks candidly about reentering the dating world, the challenges of modern relationships, and her unwavering belief that love must be rooted in God, honesty, and emotional safety. She discusses the importance of healing, knowing one’s worth, and maintaining the high standards set by the genuine love she once shared with Craig.

The episode closes with a heartfelt prayer over Tara, her journey forward, and everyone seeking healthy, God-centered love.

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In this powerful and deeply personal episode, we sit down with Shawn Langwell—an inspirational author, speaker, and executive mindset coach whose story of redemption and resilience is nothing short of transformative. With more than three decades in advertising and marketing sales, and leadership roles including past president of the California Writers Club and Toastmasters of Petaluma, Shawn brings a rare mix of professional depth, lived wisdom, and spiritual insight to the conversation.

Shawn opens up about his journey from addiction to long-term recovery, revealing the profound impact of grace, love, forgiveness, and willingness in rebuilding a life once defined by chaos. A near-fatal accident at age 21 and a heartfelt plea from his mother became the turning points that led him to rehab on October 10, 1986—and ultimately, to sobriety. His reflections on forgiving his father, releasing anger, and learning to love himself illuminate the emotional and spiritual work behind genuine transformation.

We explore Shawn’s books, Beyond Recovery and 10 Seconds of Boldness, which offer practical strategies for facing fear, building confidence, and taking courageous micro-actions that lead to meaningful change. These ideas form the foundation of his coaching philosophy, including his signature framework: the Gap Mindset.

Shawn explains how “gaps”—those spaces between who we are and who we want to be—often stem from belief and confidence barriers. His coaching helps individuals honestly identify these gaps, confront the fears behind them, and bridge them with internal motivation, rigorous honesty, and intentional action. As he puts it, everyone has gaps, but with willingness, courage, and a clear plan, change is absolutely possible.

A highlight of the conversation is Shawn’s distinction between the “gift of desperation”—the force that pushes us toward growth—and the “curse of despair,” which keeps us stuck in victimhood. His method for moving forward includes five essential steps: identifying the problem or opportunity, deciding what you want, identifying your “why,” writing a clear plan, and working that plan with persistence and heart.

Shawn also speaks candidly about imposter syndrome, spirituality, and the role of external support—reminding us that while help is valuable, the real transformation begins within. Looking ahead, he shares his upcoming projects, including the 10-year relaunch of Beyond Recovery, new workshops, and his developing Soulful Sales Method, which integrates recovery principles with mindset and sales coaching.

This episode is an uplifting, actionable roadmap for anyone seeking healing, confidence, and personal or professional breakthroughs. Shawn’s mission is simple yet profound: to inspire others by sharing his story—and to equip them with tools to rewrite their own.

Tune in for an honest, heartfelt, and empowering conversation that proves no gap is too wide when you’re willing to take the first step.

In this powerful and deeply honest episode, Will welcomes Josh O’Bear to the show for a conversation that unpacks the real, often unspoken experiences of men in relationships—and the societal misconceptions that follow them.

Josh opens up about his upbringing on a farm in Delaware, growing up with strong family values and a father whose career in law enforcement shaped much of his worldview. At just 17, Josh’s life took a dramatic turn after a severe back injury left him in unmanaged pain for months. With no medical guidance and caught in the height of the pill epidemic, he slipped into opioid addiction, relying on pills from friends just to function.

Despite multiple attempts at recovery—including a stay at Teen Challenge—Josh continued to struggle until age 19, when a pain management specialist finally diagnosed the true cause of his suffering. Through targeted treatment and a refusal to undergo surgery, Josh found a path to stability with regulated prescriptions and long-term pain management.

But the end of addiction was only the beginning of another set of challenges.

Josh married his wife in 2017, and the couple soon found themselves battling communication breakdowns, lingering guilt from Josh’s past, and a relationship dynamic where he felt stripped of confidence and placed his wife on a pedestal. Frequent conflicts and threats of divorce left the marriage teetering on the edge.

With Will’s help in therapy, Josh began rebuilding his confidence, reshaping communication patterns, and reclaiming balance in the relationship. The transformation was dramatic—a significant drop in conflicts and a shift toward genuine partnership.

Throughout the episode, Josh challenges harmful stereotypes that paint men as narcissists by default and speaks to the importance of prioritizing relationships, personal growth, and emotional honesty. His journey from pain and addiction to stability and healthier connection offers valuable insight for men, couples, and anyone seeking hope through adversity.

This is an inspiring story of resilience, accountability, and the power of doing the work. Tune in for a conversation that’s raw, real, and ultimately redemptive.

In this honest and heartfelt conversation, Will and Marie reunite to revisit the mission behind Deep Waters—addressing the unspoken questions and church wounds many believers carry. They dig into the controversy surrounding Will’s decision to become a bartender despite a family history of alcoholism, sparking deeper questions about ministry, judgment, and where faith is allowed to show up. The two challenge restrictive church traditions, highlight biblical examples of flawed individuals called by God, and advocate for a faith that steps beyond comfort zones into real, messy places. This episode sets the tone for a season focused on relatable Christianity that meets people exactly where they are.

In This Episode:

• The original heart behind the Deep Waters podcast
• Will’s controversial decision to work as a bartender
• Navigating faith with a history of family addiction
• Ministry in places the church usually avoids
• Why man-made traditions hold believers back
• The difference between supporting and condoning
• David, Solomon, Peter — flawed but favored
• Why stepping outside the “church bubble” matters
• How faith grows when we walk into unfamiliar territory
• A call to make Christianity accessible, compassionate, and real

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