East Valley Leader Lab

East Valley Leader Lab We support leaders in exploring and developing embodied leadership practices.

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Meet your teachers! Timm Esque and Amanda Stradling are the founders of EV Leader Lab, and the instructors of our embodi...
09/01/2026

Meet your teachers! Timm Esque and Amanda Stradling are the founders of EV Leader Lab, and the instructors of our embodied leadership courses.

08/31/2026

Timm and Amanda discuss the growing importance of embodied leadership as AI becomes more common. Check out the whole conversation on our youtube channel.

08/31/2026

What if your goals weren't just items on a checklist? đź“ť

True goals are embodied—they are a deep desire you hold in your body and a need within your nervous system. When you use physical practices to connect with this deeper sense of care, it completely transforms your day-to-day work life. Suddenly, completing a task or sending an email isn't just another chore—it connects back to a profound, felt sense of purpose.

✨ Elevate your work by tapping into your whole body.

Don't miss out on the full conversation. Click the link bit.ly/4y3pb8l to listen to the entire episode.

Under enough pressure, even great leaders stop leading. They start reacting.It's not a character flaw. It's biology. Whe...
08/29/2026

Under enough pressure, even great leaders stop leading. They start reacting.

It's not a character flaw. It's biology. When a deadline lands hard, the workload piles up, or a shock hits out of nowhere, your nervous system does what it was built to do—it reaches for your oldest survival instincts.

This is regression under stress. The moment things get heavy, you don't rise to your intentions. You fall back to your patterns. The clipped tone. The tight control. The quick defensiveness. The version of you that protects, not leads.

And the frustrating part? You often can't see it happening in real time. The pressure hijacks you before your best thinking ever shows up.

This is exactly why embodied maturity matters. It's not about staying calm because things are easy. It's the steadiness that holds because things are hard. The groundedness that lets you feel the pressure — and still choose your response instead of surrendering to the old reflex.

That capacity isn't a personality trait. It's built. One grounded breath, one noticed pattern, one intentional choice at a time.

The goal isn't to feel the pressure. It's to stop letting it lead.

The last time pressure hit hard, which version of you showed up? Learn more at evleaderlab.com 📲

08/28/2026

Sometimes, the greatest leadership lessons don't come from a boardroom or a textbook—they come from the most unexpected, informal spaces.

Even as a non-smoker, Olaolu would hang out in the smoke pit with Marines and sailors. Why? Because that’s where people are at their most vulnerable, open, and transparent. It’s a natural hub for communication.

By simply observing, taking notes, and engaging in informal conversations, learning exactly what leaders should and shouldn't be doing. Listening to and understanding others in their own element is actually where many core principles and ideas were born. What started as simple journal entries eventually evolved into 19 foundational principles.

Never underestimate the power of just showing up, listening, and learning from the people around you.

Don't miss out on the full conversation. Click the link bit.ly/4y3pb8l to listen to the entire episode.

What kind of leader do you want to be remembered as? đź’­When you step into a new leadership role, it's easy to get caught ...
08/27/2026

What kind of leader do you want to be remembered as? đź’­

When you step into a new leadership role, it's easy to get caught up in the daily grind of tasks, deadlines, and putting out fires. But exceptional leadership requires more than just managing the day-to-day. It requires clarity, intention, and a deep understanding of your own values.

If you're a new or emerging leader looking to build a strong foundation, our upcoming 5-week introductory course, "What Do You Really Care About?", is exactly where you need to start.

Starting October 21, we'll move beyond traditional leadership concepts and dive into somatic (mind-body) practices. You won't just learn about leadership; you'll learn how to embody it. Over five weeks, you'll gain the tools to:

✨ Lead from a place of authenticity

✨ Communicate your vision clearly to your team

✨ Build trust and navigate challenges with confidence

Plus, you'll receive a personal 1-hour coaching session and join a private LinkedIn group to connect with fellow leaders in your cohort.

The October 21 start date is fast approaching! Don't miss this opportunity to define your leadership style.

đź”— Secure your spot today: app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule/8182ff87/?appointmentTypeIds%5B%5D=23952973

08/26/2026

True leadership doesn't start with perfection—it starts with confronting your own insecurities. Olaolu Ogunyemi breaks down how natural tendencies like being overreactive, overprotective, or overcontrolling can hold us back. To truly lead others, we have to develop past these traits.

As a former United States Marine, Olaolu shares how he uses his background to surprise high-performing leaders. Instead of diving straight into combat operations, he leads the conversation with insecurities—a topic that often makes top performers in high-stakes environments incredibly uncomfortable.

Many high achievers claim they don't have insecurities, but real growth begins when we acknowledge them.

Don't miss out on the full conversation. Click the link bit.ly/4y3pb8l to listen to the entire episode.

Your calm isn't just yours. Your team is borrowing it.Here's something most leaders never learn: nervous systems talk to...
08/25/2026

Your calm isn't just yours. Your team is borrowing it.

Here's something most leaders never learn: nervous systems talk to each other. When you walk in steady and grounded, the people around you feel it — their shoulders drop, their breathing slows, their guard comes down. This is co-regulation, and it happens whether or not you say a single word.

The reverse is true too. When you're wound tight and bracing for the worst, that tension spreads just as fast. Your stress becomes their stress. Your reactivity becomes the room's temperature.

This is why personal transformation is never just personal. Every bit of steadiness you build in yourself ripples outward — into your team, your meetings, your culture. And it works regardless of hierarchy. A regulated presence sets the tone from wherever you stand.

Your calm becomes their safety. Your groundedness becomes their permission to focus, take risks, and do their best work.

You don't lead your team with words alone. You lead them with your nervous system.

When you walk into a room, what is your presence spreading — calm or tension? Learn more at evleaderlab.com

08/24/2026

Want to boost productivity and build stronger connections with your team? It all starts with sharing your goals.

From lighthearted challenges like "No Snack November" during deployment to major professional milestones, opening up about what you want to achieve builds accountability and brings people closer together. When you start cheering each other on, you will be amazed by the positive impact it has on your workplace and your home.

But that is just the beginning! The conversation also dives into how physical goals and experiential learning prime us for success in every other area of life.

Don't miss out on the full conversation. Click the link www.youtube.com/watch?v=DS48DxAjCjU to listen to the entire episode.

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