In this episode of "Pace & Purpose," host Kirstyn DeVries sits down with Drew Dugan, founder of DVLP Music, to explore his transformative journey from addiction to entrepreneurship.

Drew shares insights on personal development, the power of music, and the importance of embracing one's true self.

Tune in to discover how Drew's experiences have shaped his mission to inspire and educate others.

Drew Dugan is a music producer, educator, and founder of DVLP Academy, a cutting-edge music education hub based in Denver, Colorado.

His lifelong journey with music began at just three years old when he first picked up the drums - a spark that grew into a career blending technical mastery with creative vision.

Driven by the belief that true growth happens when skill is paired with mindset, adaptability, and personal evolution, Drew created DVLP Academy as more than just a music school.

It’s a space where artistry and personal development intersect. Through mentor-based training and immersive, real-world environments, students gain hands-on experience across every stage of modern music production - from songwriting and sound design to mixing and mastering - using industry-standard tools like Ableton Live and Pro Tools.

Drew’s own life embodies the philosophy of developing yourself: he is over nine years sober, has lost more than 100 pounds, and now runs marathons. For him, “The purpose of life is to develop it” isn’t just a statement - it’s truly a way of living.

At DVLP, students and artists are encouraged to embrace that same mindset, using creativity not just to build careers in music, but to fuel personal transformation, resilience, and lifelong growth.

I really enjoyed this conversation with Drew, about his journey from addiction to entrepreneurship and personal growth.

Instagram: @thedrewdugan

Instagram: @dvlpmusic

Website: https://dvlpacademy.com/

Kathy is a 2 time Olympian, competed at 21 world championships including a team bronze medal and several individual top 10 finishes. Kathy was a 5 x NCAA champion while competing at the University of Wisconsin and multiple time British and Canadian national champion.

Kathy had coached for over 25 years starting as a volunteer coach at the University of Wisconsin, Madison and then at Stanford University. She currently coaches post-collegiate athletes with Run Boulder Athletic Club in Boulder, Colorado, athletes all over the world online and high school cross country and track at Nederland High School.

In addition to her own coaching practice Kathy has served as a national team staff coach with Team USA six times including the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago Chile, NACAC Track and Field Championships in 2022 and 2025 and the World Cross Country Championships in 2024 and 2023.

Kathy is a USATF Coaching Education Instructor having taught all levels of their curriculum from Level 1 through 3 as well as specialist courses in the marathon. She is also a curriculum writer for USATF. Kathy also does public speaking on performance, coaching and elite lifestyle including traveling to China to speak at their National Coaching Convention.

Episode Description:

Join us as we explore the inspiring journey of Kathy Butler, a former Olympian who transitioned from a celebrated athlete to a dedicated coach. Discover how her experiences across continents and competitions have shaped her unique coaching philosophy.

From Athlete to Coach: Kathy shares her evolution from a high school athlete to a professional runner, and eventually, a coach.

International Representation: Learn about Kathy's experiences competing for both Canada and the UK, and how these shaped her perspective.

Overcoming Challenges: Hear about the setbacks Kathy faced, including injuries and missed opportunities, and how she bounced back stronger.

Coaching Philosophy: Kathy discusses her approach to coaching, emphasizing personal development and athlete well-being.

Future Aspirations: Discover Kathy's current projects and her vision for the future, including her passion for coaching education and personal growth.

Tune in to hear Kathy's story of resilience, passion, and dedication to the world of athletics.

Instagram - Kathy Butler: @chutler

Instagram- Run Boulder: @runboulderac

Instagram- Coaching: @kathybutlercoaching

Website: www.kathy-butler.com

Run Boulder Athletic Club: http://www.runboulder.org/meettheteam.html

Nicholas Turco is a professional mountain runner and international human rights advocate whose career bridges athletics, law, and social impact.

Ranked among the top 30 mountain runners in the world, Nicholas has competed on the Golden Trail World Series and represented brands like Salomon and INOV8. But his influence extends beyond the trails.

As a Savit Scholar at the University of Colorado Boulder, Nicholas envisioned and spearheaded the university’s first NCAA scholarship program to harness the voices of Division I athletes for LGBTQ+ advocacy. Known as the Colorado Athletics Visibility Award, the initiative empowers athletes to design and lead social impact projects, with recipients awarded $20,000 scholarships. Nicholas partnered with CU’s advancement team to secure $80,000 in seed funding, laying the foundation for a program that continues to drive visibility, inclusion, and well-being in athletics.

His professional journey also includes legal research for the Office of the Alternate Defense Counsel, work with the United Nations and the Centre for Sport and Human Rights, and contributions to groundbreaking research at the intersection of sport, neuroscience, and peacebuilding. Nicholas’s academic achievements span from a summa cum laude degree at CU Boulder to a Master of Laws in Geneva, where his thesis explored how sports can transform discrimination into peacebuilding capital.

Episode Highlights:

1. Nicholas Turco shares his journey from a school sports enthusiast to a professional trail runner and consultant at the United Nations, blending his passion for athleticism with advocacy work.
2. Nicholas discusses the challenges and rewards of mountain running, highlighting the dynamic and exciting nature of the sport that connects people with nature.
3. He opens up about his personal struggles with race day anxiety and how working with a sports psychologist helped him overcome these challenges through biofeedback techniques.
4. Nicholas talks about his advocacy work as an openly LGBT athlete, emphasizing the importance of belonging and representation in sports.
5. He introduces his current project with the International Olympic Committee, aiming to create Olympic Athlete Ambassadors to support UN mandates for peace, human rights, and humanitarian affairs.