The Jake Barrena Show
This podcast serves as a wellspring of inspiration, wisdom, and motivation. It features genuine, insightful, and successful individuals from diverse backgrounds. Their experiences encourage listeners to embrace life with passion and purpose. The guests on the show exhibit authenticity at the highest level—they understand their identities and life's purpose, which has led to their success. The podcast provides practical advice from these exceptionally successful individuals. It offers listeners actionable steps to pursue their dreams, goals, and aspirations, motivating them to make bold moves toward progress and success.
The host, Jake Barrena, leads with a profound love for people. His primary motivation is to see others succeed in life. He recognizes that achieving this requires collaboration for the benefit of others. As Jake states, “Together, we are stronger. The key to success lies in knowing who you are and why you are here.” By discovering this, listeners will unveil their authentic selves and be empowered to live their best lives—free from excuses that hinder their ability to accomplish their goals while living abundantly.
Connect with 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