Human Potential for Everyone with Adam LaSalle
The RebelRebel Podcast
“I’m hoping to use my life as an experiment and model what it means to take a risk.” From high school teacher to actor, musician, and risk-taking coach, Adam LaSalle shares how courage, belief, and creativity can change your life. This episode is sponsored by my new book , helping you find, shape, and share your story with the world. In This Episode In this episode, Michael talks with New York-based actor, musician, and coach Adam LaSalle about the art of taking risks, believing in yourself, and helping others find their creative spark. After a decade as a high school teacher, Adam...
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The Blink Factor with Jean-Pierre Lacroix
The RebelRebel Podcast
“Be a sponge in life. Don’t be a rock.” From farm life to global brand transformation, Jean-Pierre Lacroix shares how emotional connection, travel, and persistence fuel his 35-year journey in business. This episode is sponsored by my new book , helping you find, shape, and share your story with the world. In This Episode In this episode, Michael talks with Jean-Pierre Lacroix, president of one of Canada’s longest-running privately owned brand transformation agencies. From helping reinvent Dairy Queen’s image to working with global banks, Jean-Pierre has spent 35 years guiding...
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The Extraordinary Life of an Accidental Author with Jennifer MacLean
The RebelRebel Podcast
“No man can succeed on their own if they’re by themselves.” From accidental author to award-nominated actor, Jennifer “Panda” MacLean shares how a snarky cat, a love of theatre, and pure self-awareness shaped her creative journey. This episode is sponsored by my new book , helping you find, shape, and share your story with the world. In This Episode In this episode, Michael talks with Jennifer “Panda” MacLean—healthcare worker, actor, and the accidental author of An Ode to Myself, a book of poetry “written” by her late cat, Newton. What began as a cheeky Facebook...
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Jamaican Roots, Global Perspective with Carrolee Moore
The RebelRebel Podcast
“Be sure that what you are doing is rooted in truth and rooted in you.” From Jamaican roots to Texas living, Carrolee Moore shares how loss, resilience, and truth fuel her mission to help overlooked voices be heard. This episode is sponsored by my new book , helping you find, shape, and share your story with the world. In This Episode In this episode, Michael chats with Carrolee Moore—entrepreneur, storyteller, and fierce advocate for underrepresented voices. From her early years in Jamaica creating entire imaginary worlds in her backyard to navigating a new culture in Boston,...
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High Finance to Feature Films Jaze Bordeaux
The RebelRebel Podcast
“Nobody ever comes from nowhere.” Award-winning director and producer Jaze Bordeaux shares his journey from finance to filmmaking, his rebel philosophy for creating outside the system, and his mission to bring big-scale sci-fi to life from Toronto. This episode is sponsored by my new book , helping you find, shape, and share your story with the world. In This Episode In this episode, Michael chats with Jaze Bordeaux—an award-winning Canadian director, producer, and storyteller whose career began far from the film set. From his early work in corporate finance to creating...
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From Football to Futurism with Chris Doelle
The RebelRebel Podcast
“Be afraid, but go anyway.” Texas polymath Chris Doelle shares how curiosity, creativity, and persistence took him from cinnamon toothpicks to podcasting’s earliest days, AI strategy, and even board games that bring legendary football teams to life. This episode is sponsored by my new book , helping you find, shape, and share your story with the world. In This Episode In this episode, Michael chats with Chris Doelle — one of the original podcasters and a serial entrepreneur whose career spans media, sports, AI consulting, and game design. Based deep in the heart of Texas, Chris has...
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AI, HR and the Future with Dan Friker
The RebelRebel Podcast
“There’s never going to be the perfect time to take a leap.” AI strategist and global HR leader Dan Friker shares how curiosity, culture, and tech are reshaping the world of work—and why small businesses can now play big. This episode is sponsored by my new book , helping you find, shape, and share your story with the world. In This Episode In this episode, Michael chats with Dan Friker, a global HR strategist and AI consultant with decades of experience helping organisations—from Fortune 100s to small businesses—navigate the evolving world of talent management. From his early...
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Free-Range Joy with Cathy Nesbitt
The RebelRebel Podcast
“Why hit the bottom? Just go up from where you are.” A laughter leader. A worm advocate. A wellness warrior. Cathy Nesbitt is transforming stress into joy—one giggle and compost bin at a time. This episode is sponsored by my new book , helping you find, shape, and share your story with the world. In This Episode Cathy Nesbitt joins Michael Dargie for a one-of-a-kind conversation about joy, purpose, worms, and why laughter really might be the best medicine. From corporate secretary to compost queen to laughter yoga teacher, Cathy’s journey is anything but ordinary—and totally...
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Making Media That Matters with Guillermo Barraza
The RebelRebel Podcast
“I wish people would just know that their fear is what is stopping them” A misfit. A filmmaker. A disruptor for good. Guillermo Barraza is building a future where creators know their power—and how to use it responsibly. This episode is sponsored by my new book , helping you find, shape, and share your story with the world. In This Episode Michael Dargie welcomes Guillermo Barraza to the studio—filmmaker, founder of the Homegrown Arts and Media Collective, and passionate advocate for ethical media creation. From growing up in Calgary in a traditional Latino family to building a...
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Wear Your Inside on the Outside with Stacey Gonder
The RebelRebel Podcast
“People don’t belong in boxes” A disruptor. A costumer. A soul stylist. Stacey Gonder fuses fashion and mindset to help people stop hiding—and start showing up as themselves. This episode is sponsored by my new book , helping you find, shape, and share your story with the world. In This Episode In this episode, Michael Dargie connects with Stacey Gonder—a creative rebel, transformational coach, and custom costume designer based in Toronto, Canada. Known for reinventing herself, Stacey is now blending two of her passions: clothing and coaching. Her mission? To help people walk...
info_outline“Getting punched in the face? It’s the fastest way to learn what you’re made of.”
In this episode, Michael Dargie sits down with Maeghen Cotterill, a professional martial artist, psychic channeler, and intuitive coach. Maeghen has been immersed in martial arts since she was eight years old and built one of Canada’s most successful dojos. She earned 11 world titles, founded Rising Phoenix Martial Arts, led Team Canada, and brought the world championships to Calgary—all while confronting abuse, disillusionment, and burnout.
But after checking every box she’d ever set for herself, Maeghen did something unimaginable—she walked away from it all.
This episode is sponsored by my new book BRANDJITSU, helping you find, shape, and share your story with the world.
What follows is a deeply honest conversation about identity, masks, and the courage it takes to burn everything down to rebuild a life with more joy, authenticity, and play. She reflects on blending the fierce discipline of martial arts with the gentler power of intuition, and how she finally found peace in the integration of both.
We learn what it means to really get punched in the face—literally and metaphorically—and how those experiences can forge strength, humility, and insight. Maeghen shares stories of breaking barriers, surviving the underbelly of competitive sport, and discovering that softness can be as powerful as strength.
Whether you’re a rebel in waiting or someone who’s already mid-pivot, Maeghen’s journey is a powerful reminder that you can do more than one thing—and you can always choose again.
Quotable Quotes
“I wanted to be the role model I didn’t have.” – Maeghen Cotterill
“My masks have come off. My identity is becoming less and less important.” – Maeghen Cotterill
“Getting punched in the face? It’s the fastest way to learn what you’re made of.” – Maeghen Cotterill
“You don’t eat the elephant all at once—you take one bite at a time.” – Maeghen Cotterill
“Sometimes we’re just doing stuff because we think we should. But we actually don’t want to.” – Michael Dargie
Episode Highlights
Life After Burnout | Maeghen shares how she blew up her life to follow her intuition
Childhood Vision | She knew at 8 years old she wanted to teach martial arts
Style Shifts | Transitioning through Gōjū-ryū, Kung Fu, and Shotokan Karate
Martial Arts as Healing | Finding regulation through practice
Starting Rising Phoenix | How she opened her first dojo at 23
Proving Herself | Winning 11 world titles across 8 divisions
Hosting World Championships | Bringing 3,000 competitors to Calgary
Getting Punched | Why everyone should feel it at least once
Mentorship | Shoutout to Ed Straugh and Faisal Karmali
New Joy | Lazy mornings, frequency music, and ugly-cry friendships
Realization | Making decisions from fear vs. choosing peace
Cobra Kai & Mortal Kombat | Why realistic representation matters
Favourite Move | Lead leg sidekick to the face
Disordered Eating | The darker side of competition
Favourite Travel | Feeling at home in Germany and Austria
Advice for Rebels | Start with unicorns and rainbows, then build
LINKS FROM EPISODE
Beyond the Black Belt (https://beyondtheblackbelts.com)
Maeghen on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/ninjagirlmma?igsh=MW8zcDlycTV1NHAxeg==)
Get Your Copy of Michael's Book:
"BrandJitsu™: Move Your Brand From 'Meh' To Memorable"
Indigo | Barnes & Noble | MichaelDargie.com