Leadership Without Limits: Tim Lupinacci on Influence, Courage, and Living a Fantastic Life

Introduction

In this episode of the Celebrity Edition Podcast, Dr. Allen Lycka welcomes Tim Lupinacci, CEO and Chair of Baker Donelson, one of the 100 largest law firms in the United States. Leading over 1,300 team members across 24 offices, Tim is a passionate advocate for practical leadership and founder of the nonprofit Everybody Leads. His podcast of the same name highlights changemakers from boardrooms to the front lines, sharing personal journeys shaped by resilience, ownership, and growth. Today, Tim empowers listeners to lead regardless of title or background.

Tim’s Leadership Journey

Tim’s path began as a young lawyer without role models, where a critical early mistake taught him the importance of ownership and responsibility. That experience sparked a decades-long journey to understand what it truly means to lead. He emphasizes that leadership isn’t about titles; it’s about influence, impact, and helping others achieve their goals. Drawing inspiration from the ancient Roman concept of anti ambulo—clearing the path for others—Tim believes leadership is about enabling others to succeed while fostering purpose and growth.

Defining Leadership and Courage

Tim and Dr. Lycka explore the qualities of unshakable leadership: having a compass instead of a map and inspiring others to follow. Tim shares his daily acronym for COURAGE: Confidence, Out front, Unshakable, Resilience, Adaptable, Growth mindset, and Encourager. He explains how each principle guides his leadership style and daily decision-making, including practical habits such as journaling successes, setbacks, and tomorrow’s priorities to maintain focus and growth. Encouragement, he notes, is often the most overlooked yet critical component of leadership.

Living a Fantastic Life

Beyond professional success, Tim emphasizes daily disciplines to nurture mental health and personal fulfillment. Morning reading, journaling, walking, digital sabbaths, and immersion in creative arts help him show up fully. He encourages listeners to identify activities that energize them, prioritize relationships, and maintain intentional habits. Tim also highlights the value of regular conversations with a therapist as a tool for reflection, mental wellness, and sustained leadership effectiveness.

Resources and Closing

Tim’s book, Everybody Leads: How You Lead and Why It Matters, offers practical strategies for leadership, resilience, and influence. Available on Amazon and via everybodyleads.org, it complements his nonprofit’s mission. Connect with Tim on LinkedIn and Instagram, or visit bakerdonelson.com to explore his work. Dr. Lycka encourages listeners to visit drallenlycka.com and subscribe to Golden Pearls for weekly insights to live a fantastic life.

BIO:

Tim Lupinacci is the CEO and Chair of Baker Donelson, one of the 100 largest law firms in the U.S., where he leads over 1,300 team members across 24 offices. A passionate “leadership junkie,” he founded the nonprofit Everybody Leads to bring practical leadership training to underserved communities and hosts a podcast of the same name featuring changemakers from boardrooms to the front lines. With a powerful personal journey shaped by lessons in ownership, resilience, and growth, Tim empowers others to lead—regardless of title or background.

Social Media Links:

www.bakerdonelson.com

www.everybodyleads.org

https://www.instagram.com/timlupinacci/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-lupinacci

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1XpDFby2pE

Protecting Your Spine for a Lifetime

In this powerful conversation, Dr. Allen Lycka welcomes Dr. Gbolahan Okubadejo, a board-certified spinal surgeon serving patients in New York and New Jersey. Specializing in minimally invasive spine surgery and motion-preserving techniques, Dr. Okubadejo treats herniated discs, spinal stenosis, and degenerative disc disease. His mission extends beyond the operating room—he is passionate about prevention, education, and helping people take control of their spinal health before problems become chronic.

Dr. Okubadejo begins by sharing three habits he wishes everyone would adopt: mindfulness in movement, regular stretching, and strengthening routines. He stresses that the majority of spinal injuries are preventable when individuals maintain strong cores and practice proper biomechanics. For office workers, he advises setting timers to take breaks, resetting posture, and using tools like standing desks or stability balls. He also emphasizes that employers can save significant resources by educating their teams about spine health.

Busting Myths About Back Pain and Surgery

Many people fear that back pain is permanent or that visiting a spine surgeon guarantees surgery. Dr. Okubadejo dispels these misconceptions, explaining that most treatment plans are non-surgical and may involve physical therapy, home exercises, or pain management. For patients requiring surgery, he clarifies that modern approaches are designed to restore activity, not limit it. Success depends not only on surgical skill but also on patient discipline during recovery. Rushing back into strenuous activity too soon can delay healing.

He also warns against cracking your own spine or visiting untrained practitioners. Without imaging and a clear diagnosis, such actions can be dangerous, particularly in the neck. Instead, patients should seek guidance from qualified spine specialists who can safely assess their condition.

Innovations, Recovery, and Living Well

Advances in robotics, minimally invasive techniques, and imaging technology have revolutionized spine care. Today, surgeons can operate with greater precision, reduce radiation exposure, and deliver better outcomes with less tissue disruption. Dr. Okubadejo highlights that the future will continue to bring safer, more effective solutions, but emphasizes that AI will never replace the human surgeon’s judgment and expertise.

Drawing on his experiences treating elite athletes, he notes that core strength, balance, and discipline are universal keys to spinal health. He encourages everyday patients to adopt similar habits, stressing that small, consistent routines lead to lasting wellness. For those facing surgery, he urges open communication with their surgeon, realistic expectations, and strict adherence to recovery plans.

Outside the operating room, Dr. Okubadejo finds balance through family and a dedicated fitness routine. Rising before dawn to train, he lives the principles he teaches—movement, discipline, and resilience. His story of a once bedbound patient who danced with joy after surgery captures the life-changing potential of proper spine care.

To learn more about Dr. Okubadejo’s work, visit www.NYNJspine.com, www.wellnessfocuscomprehensivewellnesshealth.com, or www.360coreboard.com

BIO:

Dr. Gbolahan Okubadejo is a board-certified spinal surgeon based in the New York and New Jersey area, specializing in minimally invasive spine surgery and motion-preserving techniques. He treats a wide range of spinal conditions including herniated discs, spinal stenosis, and degenerative disc disease.

Social Media Links

https://nynjspine.com/

www.wellnessfocuscomprehensivewellnesshealth.com

www.360coreboard.com

Living a Fantastic Life with Deena Kordt

In this moving episode of Living a Fantastic Life, Dr. Allen Lycka welcomes Deena Kordt, a podcaster, publisher, author, and advocate dedicated to empowering others through storytelling and community. With a heart-centered mission, Deena brings hope and connection to those navigating life’s toughest challenges. She shares her powerful journey from invisibility to visibility, revealing how lived experience became the foundation of her purpose-driven work.

Becoming the Invisible Woman

Deena opens up about her early life in rural Saskatchewan, where silence and smallness were encouraged in her strict upbringing. This foundation of invisibility carried into over three decades of domestic abuse—abuse that was not always physical but deeply emotional and manipulative. Survival meant becoming unseen to protect herself and her children. She emphasizes that abuse often hides behind patterns of incidents, gradually undermining a person’s self-worth until they doubt their own reality.

The Turning Point

A brave friend became the catalyst for Deena’s transformation. When her friend revealed harmful actions by Deena’s then-husband, Deena finally recognized the truth of her own unsafe situation. Breaking her silence, she began to share her story, and this shift marked the beginning of her recovery from invisibility. She stresses the importance of identifying abuse as a repeated, destructive pattern and finding the courage to trust one’s instincts.

Building a Compassionate Community

From her healing journey, Deena’s mission grew. She now builds what she calls a “curiously compassionate community,” offering support and resources for others in similar struggles. Through her leadership of Divorce Magazine Canada and Life Changes Magazine, she opens conversations about abuse, divorce, and healing. She also hosts The Shift Happens Show, connecting people through dialogue and empowerment. Deena advocates for awareness, reminding us that abuse is far more widespread than reported, with many victims not realizing they are living in abusive dynamics.

Advice for Those Ready to Leave

For individuals recognizing abuse in their lives, Deena offers three critical steps:

1. Tell someone you trust—and if they don’t believe you, tell someone else.
2. Document everything—keep track of incidents, words, and behaviors to reveal harmful patterns.
3. Prepare to leave safely—gather important documents, medications, and essentials in advance, ideally storing them with someone supportive.

Living a Fantastic Life

Despite her hardships, Deena embodies optimism. She draws inspiration from gratitude, the memory of her late brothers, and the opportunities she now embraces. Through her writing, publishing, speaking, and podcasting, she encourages others to get curious, trust their instincts, and accept invitations that can lead to transformation. Her message is clear: no one has to remain invisible.

Connect with Deena

Learn more about Deena at www.deenakordt.com for personal insights or visit www.lifechangesmag.com for community resources, podcasts, events, and support networks. You can also reach her directly at deena@lifechangesmag.com

BIO:

Podcaster, Publisher, Author & Advocate, Deena Kordt, draws from her personal journey to passionately empower others.Through her compelling content and engaging presentations, Deena communicates a deep sense of caring, with a heart-centered purpose to instill hope and create connections so people never feel alone in their life struggles. As owner and publisher of Life Changes & Divorce Magazine, and host of the Life Changes Channel Podcast, her mission is to inspire and connect caring humans to see and value each other with curiosity and compassion.

Social Media Links

DeenaKordt.com

hello@lifechangesmag.com

LifeChangesMag.com

David Selley – A Life of Resilience, Risk, and Global Impact

From Poverty to Possibility

Born in wartime England and raised in poverty without electricity, water, or heat, David Selley could have allowed adversity to define him. Instead, those early hardships built resilience and determination that would fuel an extraordinary entrepreneurial journey spanning more than seven decades. Now 87 years old, David is a celebrated author, mentor, and founder of the International Entrepreneurs Association (IEA), with a bold mission to empower 700 million entrepreneurs worldwide. His story is not only about survival but about transformation—proving that challenges can become the very foundation of success. In this episode, he reflects on the lessons poverty taught him, how resilience carried him through life’s hurdles, and the deep influence of family in shaping his values. Married for 65 years, David credits his long partnership and the love of his grandchildren as key inspirations behind his work and writing.

The Wisdom of a Global Entrepreneur

Over his long career, David has built businesses, made and lost fortunes, and learned the value of risk, research, and adaptability. He candidly shares how mistakes—sometimes very costly ones—became opportunities for growth, reinforcing his belief that ideas only matter when acted upon. With seven published books and more underway, David is now pursuing a Guinness World Record as the oldest author to publish the most books in a single year. He describes how encouragement from his grandchildren set him on this literary path, leading him to write millions of words and create both insightful and lighthearted titles. David also explains how technology, including AI, is revolutionizing his research and writing process, giving him fresh tools to share wisdom with the world. Along the way, he offers practical advice: vet every idea carefully, be willing to pivot when necessary, and never lose your optimism or courage.

Legacy, Mentorship, and Living a Fantastic Life

David’s proudest achievement is launching the International Entrepreneurs Association, a global initiative designed to provide training, licensing, and opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs, particularly those marginalized or without access to traditional education. Rooted in grassroots experience and coupled with his belief in giving back, the IEA blends mentorship, philanthropy, and practical tools to empower people to step outside conformity and build freedom through enterprise. David also reflects on lessons learned from mentors like Mark Victor Hansen and Robert Allen, who helped him unlock creativity and embrace bold thinking. Despite setbacks—including the collapse of a brilliant idea due to industry resistance—David views both success and failure as essential parts of his journey. Today, he continues to live what he calls a fantastic life: planning a global book tour, opening new doors for entrepreneurs, and spreading his “Go, Be, Do” philosophy. His message is clear—true happiness comes from having someone to love, something meaningful to do, and something exciting to look forward to.

Resources

Learn more about David Selley: www.davidselley.net

Explore the International Entrepreneurs Association: www.iea777.com

Discover more about Dr. Allen Lycka and Living a Fantastic Life: www.drallenlycka.com

BIO:

David Selley is an 87-year-old global entrepreneur, author, and founder of the International Entrepreneurs Association, leading a bold mission to empower 700 million entrepreneurs worldwide. Born in wartime England and rising from poverty, David has built a legacy of innovation, mentorship, and impact over seven decades. With seven books already released and more to come, he's currently pursuing a Guinness World Record while continuing to inspire others with his “Go! Be! DO!” philosophy and the wisdom of a life fully lived.

Social Media:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/selleydavid