Episode #

TLB049

Episode Title

Overcoming PTSD to finding purpose

Publish Date

Clean/Explicit

Known Edit Points

Known Audiogram Point

Social Hashtags

Episode Summary:

In this powerful episode, Dave joins Hugh for a candid and inspiring conversation about overcoming adversity, building businesses with purpose, and staying grounded through personal transformation. They dive into Dave’s journey from military service to entrepreneurship, the mental and physical battles he faced post-service, and how he built a thriving tax business in South Dallas. Dave opens up about his battle with PTSD, the turning point that led to his fitness transformation, and how he's structured his businesses to prioritize family and freedom. The episode wraps with hard-won wisdom on resilience and integrity in the face of betrayal.

Key Highlights:

• Reconnecting over Dave’s biohacking trip and old friends
• The story behind Dave’s provocative “1%” shirt design
• Dave’s 13-year military journey and shift to entrepreneurship
• A near-death experience and battle with PTSD that sparked major life change
• Building a tax prep business with unique team incentives and community impact

About the Guest

Dave Johnson is a transformative life coach with a mission to empower individuals by fostering mental and physical well-being. Drawing from his own journey of overcoming PTSD and significant personal challenges, including at one point weighing 319 lbs and suffering from severely high blood pressure. Dave specializes in guiding veterans and others facing mental and physical health challenges toward healing, resilience, and a renewed sense of purpose. Through powerful communication techniques, a focus on deep self-awareness, and his own commitment to health—having lost nearly 100lbs in 1 year by making drastic lifestyle changes and committing to a consistent gym routine—he helps his clients reclaim their strength and take control of their lives.

A proven multi-preneur, Dave’s achievements extend beyond personal growth. In just 18 months, he founded, scaled, and sold a financial firm to a Fortune 500 company—an accomplishment that underscores his strategic leadership and visionary thinking. Today, Dave runs a thriving seven-figure health and life insurance firm and an eight-figure construction business specializing in government contracts. His ability to build and sustain success in diverse industries reflects his exceptional business acumen and adaptability.

Combining his personal experiences with professional expertise, Dave offers a rare and powerful approach to personal and professional development. He helps his clients unlock their confidence, cultivate mental clarity, and harness their potential to achieve success in every area of life. Whether it’s guiding veterans through PTSD recovery or mentoring entrepreneurs toward exponential growth, Dave is committed to helping others turn challenges into opportunities for lasting transformation.

· IG: @supafucndave

· FB: Dave Johnson

· Tiktok: @supafucndave

https://shorturl.at/IBZ1H

About the Host:

Hugh excels at helping entrepreneurs and executives who are on the path to manifesting their dreams - whether they are on the first steps of a launch or a giant leap forward as they level up their business. His podcast is dedicated to helping trustworthy, integral, and heart-centered entrepreneurs connect to the people who need them most.

Hugh Zaretsky, was an IT executive until his wake-up call came on 9/11. Realizing how short...

In this inspiring episode of The Launch Button, we sit down with two powerhouse first-generation women—Sentou and Avva—who turned personal trauma and adversity into fuel for entrepreneurial success. Sentou, a genocide survivor and trauma coach, shares how she helps others navigate death, divorce, and dying using therapeutic practices—including music. Avva, an AI strategist, discusses her journey of immigrating to the U.S., overcoming language barriers, and building a values-driven B2B tech business. Together, they reveal the raw truths behind launching a business, the importance of integrity, and why just starting is the most powerful step you can take.

Sentou's Healing Journey: From genocide survivor and child war refugee to trauma-informed coach helping others through life’s darkest transitions.

Power of Music: How threshold singing and the healing power of music play a vital role in Sentou’s trauma work.

Avva’s Immigrant Story: The struggles of learning English and building confidence as a young immigrant in the U.S.—and how she turned those challenges into global impact.

Entrepreneurship Tips:

• “Just start—even if you don’t have all the answers.”
• “Live with integrity. Be kind. Leave fast if it doesn’t align.”

Support Systems Matter: Why having cheerleaders, mentors, and encouraging partners is essential in your business journey.

Done is Better Than Perfect: Launching is more valuable than endlessly polishing.

AI for Business: Avva’s insights on integrating tech for smarter, scalable B2B growth.

Episode Summary:

In this powerful episode, world-renowned fitness coach and 7-time Mr. Universe and Mr. Olympia champion Ron Williams shares his extraordinary journey from a painful childhood to becoming one of the most accomplished natural bodybuilders in history.

Ron opens up about how he used athletics to cope with emotional trauma and develop a sense of identity and self-worth. His transformation wasn't just physical—it was deeply mental and spiritual. Today, he channels that experience into coaching others, helping them overcome health struggles, build resilience, and achieve lasting transformation.

Ron emphasizes that true success comes from addressing the root causes of our struggles—whether emotional, physical, or spiritual—and not just treating the symptoms. He discusses how he helps people, including diabetics, reduce or eliminate medications by using customized fitness and nutrition plans that support the body’s natural healing processes.

Whether he's mentoring a young aspiring WWE wrestler or speaking to a room full of professionals, Ron’s message is clear: Consistency, mindset, and personal accountability are key to becoming the best version of yourself.

• Origin Story:
• Champion Mindset:
• Personalized Wellness:
• Healing Through Health:
• Mentor at Heart:
• Holistic Approach:
• Overcoming Negativity:

About the Guest

Ron Williams is one of the most decorated Natural Bodybuilders, earning the exclusive “Natural Bodybuilder of the Decade” award. A 7-time winner of Mr. Natural Universe, Natural Olympia, and Mr. Natural World, he was inducted into the INBA Hall of Fame in 2008.

An award-winning author and creator of the “Ultimate Fat Loss System,” Ron blends fitness, faith, and personal growth to help others achieve success. With 40+ years as a coach, professor, and speaker, he inspires transformation worldwide. Featured on major networks, his mission is to bring out the champion in faith, family, fitness, and finance.

· IG: https://www.instagram.com/ron.williams/

· FB: https://www.facebook.com/ron.williams.319

· LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ron-williams-05278453/

· Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ronwilliamschampion

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Ironchestmastervip

Ron’s Website – www.ronwilliamschampion.com

About the Host:

Hugh excels at helping entrepreneurs and executives who are on the path to manifesting their dreams - whether they are on the first steps of a launch or a giant leap forward as they level up their business. His podcast is dedicated to helping trustworthy, integral, and...