256. From CIA to CEO: Leading with Integrity, Identity & Influence w/ Rupal Patel
Release Date: 05/20/2025
280. From CrossFit to the ER: My Rhabdo Story and the Power of Awareness
Turmeric and Tequila™
“I’ve trained harder, pushed further, and partied bigger — but this was the perfect storm that reminded me: health is wealth. You can’t pour from an empty cup.” -Kristen Olson In this candid solo episode, Kristen Olson, host of Turmeric & Tequila™, opens up about her unexpected journey from the CrossFit competition floor to a four-day hospital stay with rhabdomyolysis (rhabdo) — a rare but serious condition caused by overexertion. Kristen breaks down what led to the diagnosis, how her competitive mindset both helped and hindered her recovery, and the gratitude and life...
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279. Understanding Rhabdo: What Every Athlete Should Know with Steve Nagib
Turmeric and Tequila™
In this powerful episode, host Kristen Olson (KO) sits down with returning guest Steve Nagib, a human performance expert, healer, and former athletic trainer for elite athletes, to discuss an important but rarely understood fitness topic: rhabdomyolysis (Rhabdo). After KO’s recent personal experience with Rhabdo, this episode dives deep into what it is, how to spot it, and what to do if it happens to you. Steve breaks down the science behind muscle breakdown, inflammation, and recovery in a way that’s both educational and actionable. This isn’t just for CrossFitters or competitive...
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278. Love Is Blind Denver Breakdown: Dating Smarter in the Swipe Era
Turmeric and Tequila™
“It’s not enough to think confident — you have to show it. The inner work matters, but so does the outer energy you project into the world.” — Kimmy Seltzer In this episode, Kristen M. Olson sits down with Kimmy Seltzer — a therapist-turned-dating-strategist and host of The Charisma Quotient podcast — to dissect modern love in the age of apps, filters, and fast connections. They explore: Kimmy’s journey from therapist to style-confidence coach and media personality. Her signature outside-in method for building confidence and attraction. The connection between ...
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277. Creating Community Through Storytelling: Anthony Elio on Denverse: Locals Aloud Podcast, Mental Health, and Mission-Driven Media
Turmeric and Tequila™
“Even when you’re in that room—the one that feels impossible to leave—you can’t give up. There’s something waiting for you on the other side.” — Anthony Elio In this powerful Turmeric & Tequila™ episode, KO sits down with Anthony Elio, the creative mind behind Denverse (Magazine): Locals Aloud Podcast and its fast-growing podcast. Together, they dive into authentic storytelling, community building, and mental health in the creative industry. Anthony opens up about his own journey through depression and rediscovery, how writing and podcasting became...
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276. Theon Walls: How Faith, Grit & a Phone Call Changed Everything
Turmeric and Tequila™
“When the phone rings — you’ve got to pick it up. No matter how small it seems, that call might change your life.” — Theon Walls In this powerful episode of Turmeric & Tequila™, host Kristen M. Olson sits down with actor, musician, and creative powerhouse Theon Walls — best known for his breakout role as Dibo in Netflix’s Beauty in Black. Theon shares his remarkable journey from audio engineer to screen actor, opening up about the mental health challenges, faith, and divine timing that led him to his true calling. From a mysterious phone call that changed...
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275. QUICK Guided Mindset Reset: Resilience, Strength & Faith
Turmeric and Tequila™
"I am resilient. I am strong. I have faith. I am guided. With a renewed heart, I step forward in peace, courage, and triumph." -Kristen M. Olson In this solo episode of Turmeric & Tequila™, host Kristen Olson guides you through a powerful meditation-prayer designed to help you find resilience, strength, faith, and guidance in the chaos of everyday life. This less than 10-minute practice blends grounding breathwork, affirmations, and intentional reflection—an easy tool you can use anytime to re-center, recharge, and refocus. Whether you’re starting your day, closing it out, or...
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274. Trauma to Triumph: Sobriety & Spiritual Growth with Wendy B. Correa
Turmeric and Tequila™
"Healing is possible. Our stories, even the darkest ones, can become the light that guides someone else forward." – Wendy B. Correa In this episode of Turmeric & Tequila™, host Kristen Olson sits down with Wendy B. Correa—author, yogi, hiker, and healer—to explore her extraordinary life journey. From losing her father at age seven to growing up in a violent household, Wendy shares how trauma shaped her early years and how she found resilience through spirituality, psychology, and community. Her path took her from California colleges to the LA music industry, where sobriety...
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273. Dogs Save Lives: How Our Four-Legged Friends Boost Health, Happiness & Healing
Turmeric and Tequila™
“Dogs don’t just make life better—they literally help us live longer, healthier, and happier lives.” -Kristen M. Olson In this uplifting solo episode, host Kristen Olson dives into the life-changing impact of dogs—on health, happiness, and healing. From personal stories with her three rescue pups to powerful science-backed benefits, Kristen explores why dogs are more than companions—they’re lifesavers. Discover how dogs reduce stress, improve heart health, ease loneliness, and even detect medical emergencies before they happen. Kristen also shares practical advice for adopting,...
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272. Heart-Centered Investing: Andrew Metzler on Wealth & Purpose
Turmeric and Tequila™
“My definition of success is trusting the universe, stretching for the things I was meant to do, and enjoying them with the people I love for as long as possible.” – Andrew Metzler In this episode of Turmeric & Tequila, host Kristen Olson talks with Andrew Metzler, founder of TLC Property Partners and author of Profitable Mortgage Notes. Andrew shares his journey from ski slopes and adventure travel to financial crisis, foreclosure, and ultimately rebuilding through empathy-driven investing. We dive into: How the 2008 crash reshaped Andrew’s values and business philosophy...
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271. Breathwork & Emotional Healing w/ MJ Renshaw (How to Cry)
Turmeric and Tequila™
"Healing doesn’t happen overnight—it’s one step, one breath, one choice at a time. Your body already knows the way; you just have to listen." – MJ Renshaw In this episode of Turmeric & Tequila, host Kristen Olson (KO) sits down with MJ Renshaw—breathwork facilitator, author, podcast host, and founder of . Breathwork educator and author MJ Renshaw joins KO to unpack the science and soul of emotional release—why crying is healthy, how suppressed emotions show up in the body, and simple ways to regulate your nervous system. We cover psychoneuroimmunology...
info_outline"You can’t lead with clarity if you don’t know who you are. Identity is the foundation of influence."
— Dr. Rupal Patel
In this compelling episode of Turmeric & Tequila™, host Kristen Olson welcomes powerhouse guest Dr. Rupal Patel — former CIA analyst, entrepreneur, author of From CIA to CEO, and champion of high-performance leadership. Together, they dive deep into personal evolution, mental resilience, finding your authentic voice, and the courage to lead boldly in today’s complex world.
Rupal shares her journey from the hip-hop PR world to global intelligence work at the CIA — and eventually launching her own business. Along the way, she opens up about burnout, imposter syndrome, leadership identity, and how entrepreneurship reshaped her understanding of success.
Whether you're a high achiever questioning what’s next or a future visionary ready to step into leadership on your own terms, this conversation will hit home.
Time Stamps:
0:00 – Intro and sponsor shoutouts
1:30 – Meet Rupal Patel: From quiet observer to CIA analyst
4:50 – Childhood, early passions & the power of observation
7:40 – Hip-hop industry experience: lessons, grit & boundaries
14:15 – Mental health, burnout & breaking the “power through” mindset
21:20 – The CIA years: inside look at global intelligence work
28:00 – Life after the CIA & the challenge of entrepreneurship
35:30 – Reclaiming identity, confidence & personal success
41:00 – Writing From CIA to CEO and redefining leadership
45:00 – Who the book is for & what it teaches
49:40 – Final reflections on alignment, boldness & living your own truth
53:00 – Where to find Rupal & her upcoming speaking tour
Rupal Patel:
Rupal Patel’s high-octane career has taken her from military briefing rooms in jungles and war zones to corporate boardrooms and international stages. During her thrilling career as an analyst and field agent at the CIA, she served in active war zones, advised Commanding Generals, and earned War Zone Service Medals and Meritorious Citations for “exceptional performance of duty” and “superior support to the President of the United States.”
After leaving the CIA, she earned her MBA from London Business School and started her first award-winning business over ten years ago. Called a ‘Power Woman’ by Harper’s Bazaar Magazine, Rupal is a sought-after international speaker who has spoken in front of thousands and worked with top-tier organizations like Accenture, AB InBev, SAP, and Virgin.
As a sitting CEO, author, consultant, coach, and mentor, Rupal helps visionary leaders, teams, and organizations make the seemingly impossible possible. Called a “super-strategist” by her clients, Rupal draws on her Ivy-League education, MBA degree, and CIA training, and marries industry-leading theory with tactical experience in ways that transform every client she works with.
From hour-long keynotes to multi-day masterclasses, her captivating speaking engagements and truly unique insights arm her audiences with the tools they need to remake the rules of success and become unstoppable.
AND BIG ANNOUNCEMENTS: Rupal is working on her SECOND book and will soon be opening her online leadership academy- stay tuned!!
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rupal-patel-2145a960
https://www.instagram.com/rupalypatel
Connect with T&T:
IG: @TurmericTequila
Facebook: @TurmericAndTequila
Website: www.TurmericAndTequila.com
Host: Kristen Olson
IG: @Madonnashero
Tik Tok: @Madonnashero
Website: www.KOAlliance.com
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