Eps 3: From Battlefield to Boardroom: Faith, Leadership & Purpose with Jay Fudickar
Release Date: 08/13/2025
Eps 7: The Winning Mindset w/ Josh Lowrey
Ashes to Apex Podcast
Entrepreneur and investor Josh Lowrey sits down for a raw, funny, and deeply honest conversation about winning, losing, and why your mindset is your most valuable asset. From leaving his family business out of sheer grit to scaling a portfolio of companies that once hit 1,800 employees, Josh unpacks the seasons of ambition—chip-on-the-shoulder beginnings, hard resets, faith, and the discipline it takes to keep going when no one is coming to save you. You’ll hear how he learned to set 10× goals and reverse-engineer them, protect his energy by ejecting negativity fast, and transition from...
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Eps 6: Chris White - Recovery, Purpose, and the Entrepreneur’s Mindset
Ashes to Apex Podcast
When does sobriety end and recovery begin? Clinical mental health counselor and addiction specialist Christopher White joins JB to unpack the daily “marathon” of recovery, the traps entrepreneurs fall into, and why purpose—not perfection—keeps us moving forward. From Fifth Ward roots to building a practice that serves athletes, founders, and families, Chris blends science, faith, and hard-won wisdom you can use today. Episode Highlights Recovery vs. Sobriety: Why abstinence isn’t the finish line and how real recovery becomes a daily practice. Faith & Purpose: Seeing yourself...
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Eps 5: Amanda Orr - From Journalist to PR Powerhouse
Ashes to Apex Podcast
In this episode of Ashes to Apex, Joshua Belland sits down with Amanda, a former journalist turned PR strategist, whose story is nothing short of remarkable. With 20 years of journalism experience—working with outlets like Reuters and Dateline—Amanda transitioned into the world of public relations, where she’s handled high-stakes political campaigns and legal communications. Amanda shares how she leveraged her media expertise to secure a presidential commutation during the height of COVID, her bold leap into entrepreneurship after a life-altering divorce, and how she built a thriving PR...
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Eps 4: From Corporate Stability to Purpose-Driven Strength with JD Shipley
Ashes to Apex Podcast
In this episode of Ashes to Apex, Joshua sits down with JD Shipley—husband, father, man of faith, and owner of Starting Strength Gyms. JD opens up about his remarkable journey from a stable career in oil and gas to discovering his true calling in strength coaching and entrepreneurship. What began as a personal quest to get stronger quickly grew into something far greater, as faith guided him toward a mission of helping others transform their lives through barbell training. JD shares how stepping away from financial security led him to a deeper sense of purpose, how the process of leading a...
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Eps 3: From Battlefield to Boardroom: Faith, Leadership & Purpose with Jay Fudickar
Ashes to Apex Podcast
In this powerful episode of Ashes to Apex, host Joshua Belland sits down with Army veteran, entrepreneur, and family man of faith, Jay Fudickar. From his early days growing up in Katy, Texas, to joining the Corps of Cadets at Texas A&M, enlisting in the Army, and serving in Iraq, Jay shares a candid and inspiring journey of resilience, leadership, and purpose. He opens up about facing life’s low points, the mental strength gained from military service, and the importance of faith, brotherhood, and human connection. Now the owner of Jay Riley Recruitment, Jay reflects on how lessons from...
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Eps 2: John Reed on Faith, Recovery, and Building a Business That Serves
Ashes to Apex Podcast
🎙️ Ashes to Apex presents an incredibly raw and powerful episode with John Reed, founder of Soldier Glass. John’s story is one of true redemption—rising from the depths of addiction, prison, and brokenness to become a husband, father, business owner, and servant leader. In this conversation, John shares how God met him in his lowest moments, how faith became the cornerstone of his recovery, and why his business is more than a company—it’s a ministry. If you’ve ever felt hopeless, stuck, or wondered if God could use your broken story for something greater, this episode will speak...
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Eps 1 - Purpose Over Profit w/ Joe Orsak
Ashes to Apex Podcast
In this powerful episode of Ashes to Apex, host Joshua Belland sits down with longtime friend, serial entrepreneur, and worship leader Joe Orsak for a raw and heartfelt conversation about purpose, perseverance, and staying grounded in faith. From launching businesses as a child to weathering catastrophic losses, Joe shares the highs and lows of his entrepreneurial journey, revealing the hard-won lessons that shaped his identity and mission. Joe opens up about taking over his late mother’s security company, losing nearly everything during the pandemic, and building a multi-million dollar...
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Episode 0 - Introduction
Ashes to Apex Podcast
Welcome to Ashes to Apex, the podcast where resilience takes center stage. Hosted by Joshua Belland, this show delves into the raw, unfiltered journeys of entrepreneurs who’ve stared down life’s darkest valleys—addiction, burnout, divorce, devastating setbacks—and climbed their way back to the summit. Each episode pulls back the curtain on the mental health struggles too often hidden behind success stories. Through candid conversations, guests share how they rose from the ashes, rebuilt their lives, and found a higher purpose beyond the bottom line. More than a business podcast,...
info_outlineIn this powerful episode of Ashes to Apex, host Joshua Belland sits down with Army veteran, entrepreneur, and family man of faith, Jay Fudickar. From his early days growing up in Katy, Texas, to joining the Corps of Cadets at Texas A&M, enlisting in the Army, and serving in Iraq, Jay shares a candid and inspiring journey of resilience, leadership, and purpose. He opens up about facing life’s low points, the mental strength gained from military service, and the importance of faith, brotherhood, and human connection. Now the owner of Jay Riley Recruitment, Jay reflects on how lessons from the battlefield translate into business success, leadership, and building a meaningful life.
This conversation dives deep into mental health, the dangers of isolation for men, the importance of strong relationships, and the discipline needed to balance work, family, and spiritual growth. Whether you’re a veteran, an entrepreneur, or simply someone striving to live with purpose, this episode offers wisdom, humility, and hope.
Show Notes & Highlights
- From Katy to the Corps – Growing up in Texas, joining Texas A&M’s Corps of Cadets, and learning the value of discipline and camaraderie.
- Hitting Rock Bottom – Life on friends’ couches and the decision to enlist in the Army.
- Military Reality Check – Expecting lab work as a Chemical Operations Specialist but ending up on the front lines with an artillery unit.
- Deployment to Iraq – Life at “Mortar-rita-ville” and adapting to daily mortar fire, IED threats, and a new reality.
- Faith in the Field – How deployment deepened Jay’s relationship with God.
- Leadership Lessons – The difference between positional authority and influential, servant leadership.
- Transition to Recruitment – From Army recruiter to running his own agency, carrying over values of transparency and proper vetting.
- Mental Health & Brotherhood – Why men need trusted circles, the danger of isolation, and supporting those battling depression and PTSD.
- Entrepreneurship Challenges – Starting a business in 2020 during the pandemic and building resilience in uncertain times.
- Identity Beyond Occupation – Why your job should never define your worth.
- Balancing Work & Family – Avoiding complacency in relationships and staying present as a husband, father, and leader.
- Purpose & Calling – How recruiting aligns with Jay’s mission to help others achieve a better future.
- Special Offer – Jay shares a 10% discount for listeners on their first recruitment service.
J. Riley Recruitment Website: https://jrileyrecruitment.com/