► Tell us about you and your podcast
I’m Coach Brian, a health and lifestyle performance coach with more than 20 years of experience helping men improve their fitness, nutrition, and mindset so they can feel stronger, more energetic, and capable in their daily lives. I have worked with many men who have built successful careers and families but find themselves struggling with weight, low energy, or consistency in their habits. My goal is to help them regain control of their health in a way that fits into their busy lives.
My podcast, Driven by Health, focuses on the real challenges men face when trying to manage their weight, build strength, and stay consistent while balancing work and family. Each episode offers practical, science-based strategies that listeners can apply immediately. We talk about training, nutrition, recovery, stress, and mindset, with a focus on how these areas affect performance, leadership, and long-term health.
My audience includes husbands, fathers, and professionals who want to feel confident in their bodies, have more energy, and show up fully for the people who matter most. I also run The Call to Rise, a 100-day Fat Loss Challenge that helps men learn science-backed nutrition, rebuild strength, lose weight, and establish consistent habits with radical accountability and support.
On a personal level, I married my high school sweetheart, and together we have four children. Our family enjoys traveling and exploring new places, and we are working toward visiting all 50 states, multiple countries, and eventually all seven continents. These experiences remind me how important it is to maintain health and energy to be fully present for family and life.
The mission of Driven by Health is to bring trusted experts in men’s health and performance to the podcast so listeners can access the information and tools they need to improve their health, feel capable, and thrive in their careers and families.
► Why & how did you start this podcast?
I started Driven by Health because I wanted to create a space where men could get honest, practical advice about their health, fitness, and energy without feeling judged or overwhelmed. Over the years, I have worked with many men who are successful in their careers and families but struggle to maintain consistency with their health. I realized that by sharing coaching strategies, real-life stories, and expert insights, I could reach a much larger audience and help men make lasting improvements in their lives.
Podcasts are a format I have personally listened to for years. I enjoy learning from experts and hearing real conversations that provide actionable insights I can apply immediately. I wanted to create that same experience for my listeners. A show they could listen to during their commute, workouts, or quiet moments, and come away with tools to improve their energy, strength, and confidence.
My initial goal was to offer practical guidance that men could implement without disrupting their busy schedules, while also inspiring them to take consistent action. I wanted to combine coaching, science-backed information, and interviews with experts in nutrition, training, recovery, and mindset to create a resource men could rely on long-term.
I officially started Driven by Health in 2025. From planning and recording to releasing my first episode, it took about 5 months to think about it and 2 weeks to set up the show, prepare content, and launch 10 episodes to provide real value to listeners. I made sure the initial episode clearly communicated the mission of the podcast and gave a strong foundation for future episodes.
► How'd you find the time and funding to do this podcast?
Finding the time to create Driven by Health has been a matter of planning and prioritizing. I record episodes weekly and aim to release a new episode every week to provide consistent value to my listeners. Each episode takes several hours to produce, including planning, recording, editing, and creating show notes or promotional content. On average, I spend about 2-3 hours per episode from start to finish.
Balancing podcasting with my coaching work and family life requires careful scheduling. I typically record early in the morning or during dedicated blocks in my week. Treating the podcast like an important appointment ensures it gets done without interfering with other responsibilities.
I fund the podcast myself. The main costs include Riverside for high-quality recording, hosting on a professional podcast platform, and editing software or services to ensure clear, professional audio. I also invest in music licensing and occasional marketing to grow the audience. While it is a personal investment, I view it as an extension of my coaching practice — a way to reach more men who could benefit from guidance and practical strategies.
Ultimately, I see the podcast as an investment in the long-term mission of Driven by Health: giving men access to tools, expert advice, and inspiration to take control of their health and live better lives for themselves and the people who matter most.
► What do you gain from podcasting?
Podcasting has given me the opportunity to reach a larger audience of men who want to improve their health, fitness, and energy. Driven by Health is entirely self-funded, and I have chosen not to take sponsorships so I can focus fully on delivering content that is honest, practical, and aligned with my mission.
The podcast benefits me in many ways. It allows me to continue learning by speaking with experts in fitness, nutrition, mindset, and leadership. It strengthens my coaching practice by giving me insights into the real challenges men face with their health, energy, and consistency. It also helps me connect with other coaches, professionals, and men who are committed to improving their lives.
Podcasting has become a platform where I can share my experience, provide actionable guidance, and help men take control of their health. The most rewarding part is seeing listeners apply what they learn, regain energy, build confidence, and take better care of themselves and the people who matter most.
► How does your podcasting process look like?
My podcasting process is organized to ensure each episode provides real value to listeners. I record most episodes remotely using Riverside, which gives high-quality audio and video for both me and my guests. I use a reliable microphone, headphones, and basic soundproofing to ensure clarity. Editing is done using audio editing software to make sure the final episode sounds professional and polished.
I find guests by reaching out to experts in fitness, nutrition, mindset, and leadership who have experience helping men improve their health and performance. Some guests come through personal connections, and others I approach based on their work and relevance to the topics my listeners care about.
For preparation, I research both the guest and the subject matter to create thoughtful questions and talking points. I structure each episode to provide actionable insights, but I leave room for natural conversation so it feels authentic. I also take time to plan key takeaways that listeners can implement immediately.
Interviews are typically conducted remotely via Riverside, Zoom, or similar platforms, which allows me to connect with experts and guests from around the world while keeping the process efficient. Before recording, I coordinate schedules and ensure both my guest and I have a clear understanding of the topic and goals for the episode.
This process allows me to consistently produce episodes that are educational, practical, and relatable for men who want to take control of their health and improve how they feel, perform, and show up in life.
► How do you market your show?
I market Driven by Health using a combination of digital channels to reach men who are looking to improve their health, fitness, and energy. Most listeners find the show through Apple Podcasts and Spotify, as these platforms are where the majority of my audience consumes podcast content. I also promote episodes through my email list, where I share highlights, show notes, and actionable tips from each episode.
Social media is another important channel. I use platforms like Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook to share short clips, quotes, and insights from the podcast. This helps reach both my existing audience and new listeners who may be searching for practical advice and real-life examples of men improving their health.
In addition, I occasionally leverage collaborations with guests and experts. When a guest shares their episode with their audience, it introduces my show to men who are already interested in health, performance, and personal growth.
I focus on providing consistent value through all channels. By combining organic reach on podcast platforms, email updates, and social media promotion, I am able to attract listeners who are genuinely interested in applying the strategies we discuss. This approach has allowed the audience to grow steadily while keeping engagement high.
► What advice would you share with aspiring (new) podcasters?
For anyone starting a podcast, my biggest advice is to focus on value first and perfection second. When I started, I spent a lot of time worrying about equipment, editing, and the “perfect” format. What really matters is delivering useful, actionable content that connects with your audience. Consistency, clarity, and authenticity will matter far more than flawless audio or elaborate production.
Planning ahead is key. Outline your episodes, prepare questions for guests, and think about what your listeners will walk away with. Even a simple plan helps keep conversations focused and meaningful.
Choose tools that make the process manageable. I use Riverside for recording, basic editing software to clean up audio, and my hosting platform to distribute the show. High-quality audio helps, but you don’t need a studio or expensive equipment to get started.
Promotion and audience growth also require planning. Email lists, social media, and collaborations with guests or experts are effective ways to reach new listeners. Treat each episode as a way to provide value and connect, rather than just a product to release.
Finally, keep learning. I follow other podcasts in the health and performance space, read blogs, watch tutorials, and continually test what works for my audience. Podcasting is a mix of education, experimentation, and persistence. The more you commit to providing value, the more your audience will grow and engage.
► Where can we learn more about you & your podcasts?
You can learn more about me, my coaching, and my podcast, Driven by Health, through several channels. My main website is www.thecalltorise.com, where you can find information about my 100-day transformation program for men, coaching services, and links to all podcast episodes.
The podcast is available on all major platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts, and you can find links to each episode on the website.
I also share updates, tips, and behind-the-scenes content on social media. You can follow me on Instagram at @coachbrianparana, LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachbrianparana/ and Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/coachbrianparana. These platforms are a great way to connect, ask questions, and stay updated on new episodes and programs.
If you prefer email, you can subscribe to my newsletter on the website, which provides weekly insights, actionable health tips, and updates on upcoming podcast episodes.
For those who want to work directly with me, the website also provides information on The Call to Rise, my coaching program designed for career-driven men who want to improve their fitness, nutrition, and overall health.
All of these channels are designed to make it easy to connect, learn, and take action toward better health, higher energy, and improved performance in both personal and professional life.