The Jake Barrena Show
The Jake Barrena Show is a home for leaders—established or emerging—who are hungry to grow in identity, purpose, legacy, and eternity.
Each episode brings real, honest, and transformative content—sometimes through powerful conversations with influential guests, and other times through direct teaching and revelation from Jake himself.
Whether it’s an interview with an entrepreneur, creator, pastor, or everyday person with an extraordinary story—or a solo episode filled with wisdom, faith, and leadership principles—every moment is designed to strengthen who you are and who you’re becoming.
Through transparent dialogue and practical guidance, listeners are challenged to rise above excuses, embrace their true identity, and step boldly into their God-given calling.
As host, Jake Barrena brings decades of leadership, faith, entrepreneurship, and lived experience to every episode. His mission is simple: to equip leaders to discover who they are, why they’re here, and how to live with purpose, discipline, and eternal impact.
This show exists to help you think clearer, lead stronger, live more authentically, and break free from the limitations that have held you back.
It’s not just inspiration—it's equipping, sharpening, and calling you into greater leadership for the life God designed you to live.
Connect with the Host: JakeBarrena.com
The Jake Barrena Show
Episode 3 | Reality TV Star, Coach & Author: The Power of Vulnerability & Authenticity | Ashton Pienaar
Brief Summary
In this conversation, Ashton Pienaar shares his journey from reality TV star on Below Deck to becoming a personal development advocate and author. He discusses the therapeutic process of writing his book, the transformation he experienced through the show, and the impact of his childhood on his current life. Ashton emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and personal growth, aiming to help others through coaching that focuses on nutrition, training, and emotional well-being.
Ashton Pienaar and Jake Barrena explore themes of self-discovery, emotional health, and the significance of vulnerability in personal growth. Ashton shares his understanding of emotions, the need for men's groups, and the importance of building meaningful relationships. They discuss the challenges of parenthood and the desire for personal development, highlighting the importance of legacy and nurturing relationships.
Jake Barrena and Ashton Pienaar delve into profound themes of legacy, authenticity, emotional awareness, and the significance of empathy. They examine how personal experiences shape one's understanding of success and the impact of living authentically. The dialogue underscores the need for self-discovery, the pursuit of passion, and individuals' responsibility in shaping their emotional responses and interactions with others. Ultimately, the conversation serves as a reminder of the power of connection and the legacy we leave behind.
Guest Speaker
Ashton Pienaar is a health coach, transformation specialist, and the founder of AP Elite Health. He is five years sober, a former reality TV cast member, and someone who knows firsthand what it feels like to hit rock bottom and rebuild from the ground up. After years of burnout, toxic habits, and a complicated relationship with food, Ashton embarked on a personal journey to reclaim his health—physically, mentally, and emotionally. What began as a path to recovery evolved into a mission: to help others create a body and life they are proud of without restriction, shame, or confusion.
Today, Ashton leads AP Elite Health and The Healthing Collective, a platform that has helped hundreds of people achieve real results through personalized nutrition, training, mindset work, and accountability. His approach is rooted in sustainable change rather than quick fixes, and his honest, human-first coaching style has become his trademark.
Whether you’re starting from scratch or starting over again, Ashton’s message is clear: you don’t have to face it alone, and it’s never too late to become who you aspire to be.
Ashton's Instagram: LINK
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background
03:00 The Journey of Writing a Book
05:48 Transformation Through Reality TV
09:54 Personal Struggles and Growth
14:03 Finding Purpose in Coaching
17:48 Childhood Influences and Their Impact
22:52 Coaching Approach and Clientele
25:25 The Journey of Self-Discovery
32:30 Validating Emotions and Seeking Help
37:32 Building Meaningful Relationships
42:33 The Drive for Personal Growth and Parenthood
49:36 Understanding Legacy and Its Impact
50:08 The Concept of Legacy
52:31 Finding Passion and Purpose
54:28 Building an Impactful Legacy
56:54 Authenticity and Self-Discovery
01:01:23 Emotional Awareness and Responsibility
01:07:52 Empathy as a Superpower
Connect with Host: JakeBarrena.com