Flex Forward

What does it take to succeed in corporate healthcare, give back through nonprofit work, and keep pushing forward when life gets tough? In this episode of The Flex Forward Podcast, Nic Espanet sits down with Dr. Christine Grogan, healthcare executive and founder of Brave Coalition, a nonprofit focused on educating women about their breast health rights and expanding access to breast reconstruction — especially for women of color and those facing healthcare disparities.
Christine shares her inspiring journey from aspiring physician to medical sales leader, nonprofit founder, and mentor to young professionals. She opens up about the challenges of corporate America, the importance of integrity in healthcare, and the lessons she’s learned from setbacks and resilience.
 
 
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On this episode of The Flex Forward Podcast with Nic Espanet, we're joined by Paul Montelongo—serial entrepreneur, investor, and lifelong learner. Paul takes us through his journey from flipping his first property at 19 to managing a diversified real estate portfolio that now includes data centers and student housing.
He shares key strategies behind his success in multifamily and commercial real estate, talks about converting underutilized office spaces into high-demand data centers, and discusses the importance of staying focused, resilient, and laser-sharp in execution.
Paul also dives into his passion project with his wife: the High Velocity Couples Podcast and retreats that help couples build both a legacy and a stronger relationship. His wisdom around building teams, staying adaptable, and immersing oneself into their craft is insightful for both budding and seasoned entrepreneurs.
 
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In this episode of The Flex Forward Podcast, Nic Espanet sits down with Deon Hill, founder of Uninstone Investments, to explore his journey from a cleaning business to building a growing real estate operation. Based in Georgia, Deon shares how he began wholesaling in 2017 and is now expanding into the multifamily commercial space.
Deon breaks down the strategies that set him apart in a competitive industry—particularly his focus on finding off-market deals organically through “driving for dollars” and tools like Zillow and PropWire. He also opens up about bouncing back after setbacks, the power of consistent follow-up, and the long game of persistence in entrepreneurship.
Whether you're a seasoned investor or just getting started, Deon’s insights on resilience, growth, and creating passive income are a must-hear.
 
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What does it take to transition from flipping homes to building a multifamily real estate portfolio? In this episode of The Flex Forward Podcast with Nic Espanet, Jimmy Edwards, partner at High Five Multifamily, shares his journey from finance and single-family investing into the world of multifamily real estate.
Jimmy opens up about lessons learned through trial and error, the importance of people over spreadsheets, and why communication remains one of the most valuable skills in business. He and Nic discuss the entrepreneurial mindset, the pursuit of financial freedom, and how reading just 10 pages a day has reshaped Jimmy’s perspective.
Listeners will also hear Jimmy’s thoughts on:
Why experience and human connection matter more than data alone
Building passive income and the freedom it brings
The impact of influential books like Rich Dad Poor Dad and Who Not How
How High Five Multifamily is approaching growth and scaling in today’s market
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In this episode of The Flex Forward Podcast, host Nic Espanet sits down with Brayden Hudson, co-founder and CFO of Trellis Energy Partners, to talk about building a lean, relationship-driven business in the oil and gas industry.
Brayden shares how Trellis Energy Partners is opening doors for individual investors to access non-operated oil and gas opportunities across the U.S.—a traditionally difficult-to-reach market. He explains how their model helps manage risk, leverages strong industry relationships, and creates meaningful opportunities for retail investors seeking growth and tax-advantaged investments.
The conversation also dives into leadership lessons, including the importance of empowering people, building meaningful relationships, and staying proactive to avoid costly delays. Brayden also gives insight into future plans for Trellis, including new funds, using AI to streamline operations, and continued growth in the investment platform.
 
 
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What does it take to build wealth through passive investing while balancing risk and reward? In this episode of The Flex Forward Podcast with Nic Espanet, Nic sits down with seasoned investor and entrepreneur Sandhya Seshadri, founder of Engineer Capital, to explore how she built her portfolio across multifamily real estate, oil, and stocks.
Sandhya shares her journey from immigrating to the U.S. with just two suitcases and a tight budget to managing multimillion-dollar assets. She explains why passive income is powerful, how conservative investing strategies can protect you during market shifts, and what sets her apart as an operator in the competitive world of multifamily real estate.
 
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In this episode of The Flex Forward Podcast, host Nic Espanet sits down with Derrick Johns, a former Marine turned medtech entrepreneur based in Austin, Texas. Derrick shares the journey behind founding Diffusion Technologies, a company developing revolutionary biomaterials like ZFuse—designed to overcome chronic inflammation caused by traditional implant materials like titanium and stainless steel.
Derrick opens up about starting his company during the 2009 financial crisis, funding it with the help of surgeon friends, and even selling a car to make payroll. The episode dives into how his team’s grit led to a 93.4% spinal fusion success rate in just 6–8 months—far outperforming industry norms.
He also explains exciting future applications for ZFuse, from breast implants to hernia mesh, and the science behind how their technology avoids rejection by the immune system. You’ll also hear his thoughts on resilience, overcoming hospital contracting hurdles, and the book that’s helped guide him through some of the toughest battles: The 33 Strategies of War by Robert Greene.
 
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In this episode of The Flex Forward Podcast with Nic Espanet, Dr. Cristin Dickerson, founder of Green Imaging, shares how she went from avoiding the business side of healthcare to running a nationwide imaging network that serves over 2.5 million health plan members. She reveals how a sudden spike in MRI prices inspired her to create a cost-saving solution, and how her unique partnerships with imaging centers have set Green Imaging apart.
Dr. Dickerson also opens up about leading through major challenges—like the COVID-19 shutdowns and the sudden loss of a business partner—and the role of family, faith, and resilience in her journey. We discuss passive income strategies, the future of healthcare access, and her upcoming plans to launch new self-service pricing tools for patients.
 
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In this episode of The Flex Forward Podcast, host Nic Espanet sits down with Sheldon Krancher, a pioneer in the aligner orthodontics industry. With nearly two decades of experience, Sheldon has played a transformative role in shaping the future of dental and orthodontic care.
Sheldon shares how his journey led him to identify a major gap in aligner-based treatments—clinical diagnosis—and how his company, Clear Forward, now serves thousands of dentists and orthodontists around the world. He explains the unique niche his company fills, offering virtual co-diagnosis and optimized treatment planning that bridges the gap between aligner manufacturers and general dentists.
From lessons in entrepreneurship and persistence, to his upcoming international lecture tour and efforts to redefine how the dental industry views malocclusion, this episode is packed with wisdom, innovation, and insight into the evolving landscape of healthcare and dental tech.
 
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In this episode of The Flex Forward Podcast with Nic Espanet, Jason Surat shares how his career evolved from the corporate world and short-term rentals into owning and operating large multifamily properties. He talks about his early days in sales, his transition into fix-and-flip projects, and why short-term rentals became his gateway to bigger deals.Jason also breaks down what sets him apart as an operator, from disciplined budgeting to his deep understanding of underwriting and risk analysis. You’ll hear valuable insights on building a network, using mentorships to accelerate your learning, and leveraging retirement funds for passive real estate investing.Whether you’re new to real estate or looking to scale, this conversation is packed with practical advice and hard-earned lessons.
 
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