In this heartfelt and nostalgic episode, Erick reconnects with Jeff Harris, former teammate, friend, and fellow West Point runner.
Together, they revisit the shared experiences that shaped their lives—from growing up in small-town America to competing at the highest collegiate level—and the brotherhood that continues to this day.
Jeff’s story begins in Kentucky, where a simple two-mile soccer tryout changed the course of his life. That run would spark a journey that took him from the fields of Elizabethtown to the hills of West Point, where he learned lessons about grit, leadership, and community that still guide him as a husband, father, and coach.
This conversation is full of laughter, storytelling, and wisdom as Erick and Jeff look back on the days that forged their character and discuss how the lessons of running still influence their lives—and their sons’—today.
Jeff’s reflections remind us that life is a marathon—filled with challenges, setbacks, and triumphs—and that meaning is found not in the miles themselves, but in who you run them with.
Jeff Harris is a 1996 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point and a member of the storied 1993 Army Cross Country team that finished sixth in the nation.
A consistent top-five runner, Jeff was a three-time All-Patriot League performer and Patriot League 5,000-meter champion as a freshman, with career bests including a sub-24-minute 8k and a 14:18 5k.
He proudly finished second in the infamous “Tour de Beast” during Cadet Basic Training—and equally proudly recorded an “epic failure” in the steeplechase, a personal reminder that humility is a great training plan.
More than individual results, Jeff credits the brotherhood of his teammates as the defining force in his development—men who forged each other through relentless accountability, laughter, and shared suffering in pursuit of something greater than themselves.
After graduating, Jeff served as a U.S. Army officer from 1996 to 2003, earning a Bronze Star
for his service in Iraq.
Today, he leads Business Development for Kellanova, supporting a $1.7 billion business, and is a passionate practitioner of high-stakes negotiation. Trained through the GAP Partnership and the Black Swan Group, Jeff considers negotiation not just a career skill, but a craft and calling.
A native of Elizabethtown, Kentucky, Jeff was an individual state champion and captain of the state championship cross country team. Jeff’s Middle School team recently cleaned up at the Cincinnati All City Small School Championships, taking home three trophies.
He is a husband of 23 years, father of three, and deeply committed coach and mentor who believes he was guided at every step of his journey and is now called to help others find theirs. His life philosophy remains simple: “Embrace the Suck—stop complaining and get to work.”
In this practical and thought-provoking episode, Erick explores how adopting themes for your days can help you create structure, margin, and momentum in your life.
As part of the Rise Above Chaos system, Principle #2 — Tame the Beast — teaches the importance of building systems. Erick shares how one simple concept from his “Seven Elements of the Perfect Day” can transform the way you manage your time and energy: element number seven — build systems.
Drawing inspiration from Dr. John C. Maxwell, Franklin Covey, and Michael Hyatt, Erick shares how he’s applied the practice of daily themes to regain control, reduce reactivity, and focus on what matters most. From designating meeting days to reserving creative days, he reveals how intentional structure brings freedom and peace of mind.
Whether you’re overwhelmed by a packed schedule or just looking to fine-tune your productivity, this episode will show you how small, repeatable systems can lead to big breakthroughs.
In this inspiring episode, Erick sits down with Jay Buchholz, a dedicated Rise Above Chaos user who has applied the principles of the system to transform his work and personal life.
Jay shares his journey from feeling overwhelmed and reactive to regaining control, focus, and peace through intentional structure. As a busy professional juggling leadership responsibilities and personal goals, Jay discovered how small, consistent habits could help him rise above the noise and live with greater clarity.
Throughout the conversation, Erick and Jay discuss what it really means to live the Rise Above Chaos lifestyle—not just as a productivity framework, but as a mindset shift that prioritizes purpose over busyness.
This conversation is an authentic look at transformation from the inside out—proof that when you take control of your time and mindset, everything else starts to align.
Jay Buchholz is currently the Manager of Public Relations for Sioux Valley Energy, a distribution cooperative in the Sioux Falls, South Dakota metro area.
He leads and coaches a team of four individuals from economic & community development, PR coordinator, to communication specialists. Jay has been involved in SVE’s key account program since 2017.
Before entering utilities, Jay worked for South Dakota’s legacy TV station KELOLAND Media Group for over a decade as a sales executive and promoted to Local Sales Manager.
Jay earned his associate’s degree in satellite communications from Mitchell Technical College in 2000 operating a news satellite truck on the east coast prior to completing his bachelor’s degree at South Dakota State University.
Being an adoptee himself, Jay and his wife Sheri have adopted all 5 of their children domestically and are currently licensed foster parents.
In this deeply personal episode, Erick explores how to process and respond when tragedy strikes. None of us are immune to loss, pain, or sudden disruption—but how we choose to face it can either keep us stuck or move us forward.
Drawing on personal reflections and stories, Erick unpacks the importance of acknowledging grief, leaning on supportive relationships, and finding meaning in the midst of hardship. He shares practical insights to help you navigate tragedy without losing yourself in the chaos.
If you’ve ever wondered how to rise above heartbreak or how to support someone going through loss, this episode will encourage you to walk through pain with courage and compassion.
In this energizing episode, Erick unpacks the power of a consistent morning routine and how it sets the tone for the rest of your day.
If your mornings feel rushed, scattered, or draining, this episode will inspire you to slow down, reset, and create space for what matters most.
In this inspiring episode, Erick sits down with Nada Lena Nasserdeen—CEO and founder of Rise Up For You, leadership coach, and TEDx speaker—to explore what it really takes to step into the most powerful version of yourself.
What makes Nada’s work so impactful is her energy, her enthusiasm, and her deep commitment to helping people grow. She built an entire company and team around one mission: helping you become better.
During the conversation, Nada unpacks four human skills we’re never taught in school—yet they’re essential to thriving in life and leadership:
Nada and Erick dive deep into practical strategies for moving beyond competence to confidence, and how daily habits shape who we become. One of the most powerful takeaways? The importance of writing down your ideal life. Nada shares her twist on this exercise: don’t just write what you want, but also define your core values, identify your non-negotiables, and commit to saying no to the things that hold you back.
This resonated with Erick personally, since in 2005—at his lowest point—he used the same exercise of writing out what he wanted from life to begin his own transformation.
Action Item for You:
Take time today to write down your ideal life. Define what you really want, why you want it, how you’ll get there, and who you’ll do it with. Put your core values on paper and commit to living them daily. Something powerful happens when you write it down.
Nada Nasserdeen is the Founder and CEO of Rise Up For You, a global leader in soft skills and leadership development.
As a 2x #1 Best-Selling Author of Rise Up For You and Emotional Intelligence: The Path to Fulfillment, Influence, and Lasting Success, she continues to inspire transformation with her highly anticipated third book launching this year, Self-Confidence: How to Overcome the “I’m Not Enough” Mindset.
A dynamic 2x TEDx speaker and global keynote presenter, Nada has shared the stage with renowned leaders such as Sharon Lechter, Adam Grant, Tony Robbins, John Assaraf, Bill Walsh, and David Meltzer, speaking to audiences across the U.S., Canada, the Middle East, Europe, and South Africa.
Through Rise Up For You, Nada has worked with Fortune 5 companies, leading tech and pharmaceutical giants, growing enterprises, and educational institutions, impacting professionals in over 50 countries. At the heart of this impact is the Rise Power Up Method™—a proprietary, four-step framework for personal and professional transformation that has earned her organization a 95% client renewal rate.
Nada is also the creator of the Rise Power Up Certification, empowering coaches and professionals to implement her proven methodology without having to build content from scratch. Her influence has been featured across major platforms including Apple TV, Bloomberg, Canada’s Global TV, Radio Canada, and Amazon Prime TV. She is one of the few female co-hosts on the groundbreaking talk show Office Hours, where she interviews world-class athletes, celebrities, and entrepreneurs.
In 2023, her contributions were recognized in a monumental way—with her leadership and impact showcased on a Times Square billboard in New York City. Beyond the spotlight, Nada’s heart remains rooted in service. Her philanthropic work with underprivileged youth, including teaching soft skills to incarcerated teens, earned her the OC Sheriff’s Award.
In this heartfelt episode, Erick gives you permission to release the things in your life that no longer serve you—especially when they start taking a toll on your mental and emotional health.
He shares a personal story of when he first saw someone of great importance intentionally let go in order to prioritize self-care—and how that moment reshaped the way he approaches his own life.
Erick then unpacks three key things you need to leverage so you can let go of the unnecessary, reclaim your energy, and start taking better care of yourself.
In this episode, you’ll discover:
If you’ve been feeling weighed down or stretched too thin, this episode will encourage you to step back, breathe, and make space for what truly matters.
In this high-flying episode, Erick sits down with Jeff Bonner—former Naval Aviator and current veteran Captain for a major airline—to explore what it really takes to land on an aircraft carrier in the middle of the ocean... and how those experiences translate into everyday life.
Jeff shares gripping stories from his time in the military, including the violent jolt of carrier landings and the surreal moment of spotting a postage-stamp-sized flight deck from 5,000 feet up. With decades of aviation experience under his belt, Jeff brings a unique perspective on pressure, preparation, and precision.
But this episode goes beyond the cockpit. Jeff unpacks the five-part framework he developed from his time in the skies—a simple but powerful model anyone can apply to elevate their mindset, improve performance, and navigate life with purpose.
In this episode, you'll learn:
Whether you're chasing big goals or looking for a fresh perspective, Jeff's stories and strategies will leave you inspired—and grounded in purpose.
Jeff “Bones” Bonner is The Debrief Expert™ — a former combat fighter pilot and squadron commander, current airline captain, and Harvard-trained performance strategist who transforms elite teams by equipping them to debrief like a fighter pilot and perform like a champion.
He’s a keynote speaker who is the creator of The Debrief Advantage™ and the author of The Daily Debrief™, a five-step performance habit used by athletes and high-stakes leaders to build clarity, accountability, and trust.
Whether leading missions over Iraq and Afghanistan or flying commercial flights across the country, Jeff has spent his life performing under pressure—and now he helps others do the same.
You’re busy. Life is chaotic. The demands never stop.
In this episode, Erick introduces the brand-new Rise Above Chaos Planner System—a structured yet inspiring tool designed to help you cut through the noise and focus on what really matters.
Built on the proven Five Principles of the Rise Above Chaos Method, this planner is simple, intentional, and effective. Erick explains the purpose behind the system, how it aligns with your values and priorities, and why it’s the perfect companion for busy professionals who want to reclaim their time and energy.
Whether you’re leading a team, building a business, or balancing career and family, this planner will help you rise above the chaos and live a more focused, fulfilling, and intentional life.
Visit www.racplanner.com to order your planner today, and use the discount code "podcast" at checkout for 10% off.
Don’t just manage the chaos—rise above it.
In this powerful episode, Erick Rheam reveals the five essential elements you need to level up every part of your life—personally and professionally.
Using the metaphor of a cross-country move, Erick shares a surprising truth: we don’t need as much as we think to thrive. In fact, it’s often about letting go of the clutter and focusing on a few key things that fuel purpose, energy, and momentum.
If you’ve ever felt stuck or overwhelmed, this episode will help you reset, refocus, and rise to new heights—starting today.