The State of the Wellness Industry with Brain Von Ancken
Thu Dec 04 2025
What if the biggest lever for healing our fractured world is our own health? Not just physical fitness, but the full spectrum of mental, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing.
In this episode of Mission Driven You, Will Samson sits down with Brian von Ancken—early Tough Mudder employee, former Barry’s leader, community-builder, and founder of the Wellness Growth Mastermind—to explore how the wellness movement is evolving and why it matters far beyond cold plunges, wearables, and workouts.
Brian shares the personal story that shattered his “should life” and set him on a mission to redefine what health actually means. From obstacle courses where strangers pull each other over walls, to the pressures entrepreneurs face to “do it all,” Brian offers a grounded, human perspective on the future of wellness—and the cultural transformation already underway.
If you care about resilience, connection, or building a life with intention, this conversation will shift how you think about health, community, and human agency.
📘 Show Notes
In this episode, we explore:
1. The State of the Wellness Industry
From the days of Arctic Enema to cold plunges in every backyardWhy wellness is both more advanced—and more overwhelming—than everThe line between innovation and snake oil, and how to tell the difference
2. Human Resilience & the Power of Community
How obstacle events create unexpected belongingWhy helping others is a core human need we no longer get to practiceThe surprising reason community is more important than the workout itself
3. Brian’s Personal Story: Breaking the “Should Life”
How miscarriages and divorce forced a reckoningA silent retreat that turned into a mental marathonWhat Brian discovered about emotional and spiritual health that no one teaches us
4. The Future of Wellness
Why health is the root system beneath loneliness, division, and disconnectionThe “total health formula” and why there is no one-size-fits-all approachThe rise of wellness tourism, longevity science, and personalized health
5. Practical Ways to Start Today
The two-minute morning practice Brian uses every dayWhy strength training may be the simplest path to long-term wellbeingThe value of men’s groups, masterminds, and communities that tell you the truth
6. A Vision for the Next 20 Years
Brian paints a hopeful picture of a future where:
Schools teach mindfulness and emotional intelligenceWorkplaces normalize breathwork, movement, and recoveryWellness becomes as common as brushing our teethCommunities inspire healthier choices instead of numbing distractions
🔗 Connect with Brian von Ancken
Website: https://www.brianvonancken.com (or the site he prefers—share if different)
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianvonancken/
Wellness Growth Mastermind: (Add link if provided by Brian)
🧠 Key Quote from the Episode
“Living a healthy life is living an intentional life. And intention is the first step toward agency.” — Brian von Ancken
▶️ Listen now to learn:
How health becomes a form of empowerment…
Why community matters more than perfection…
And what the wellness movement can teach us about the future of...
More
What if the biggest lever for healing our fractured world is our own health? Not just physical fitness, but the full spectrum of mental, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing. In this episode of Mission Driven You, Will Samson sits down with Brian von Ancken—early Tough Mudder employee, former Barry’s leader, community-builder, and founder of the Wellness Growth Mastermind—to explore how the wellness movement is evolving and why it matters far beyond cold plunges, wearables, and workouts. Brian shares the personal story that shattered his “should life” and set him on a mission to redefine what health actually means. From obstacle courses where strangers pull each other over walls, to the pressures entrepreneurs face to “do it all,” Brian offers a grounded, human perspective on the future of wellness—and the cultural transformation already underway. If you care about resilience, connection, or building a life with intention, this conversation will shift how you think about health, community, and human agency. 📘 Show Notes In this episode, we explore: 1. The State of the Wellness Industry From the days of Arctic Enema to cold plunges in every backyardWhy wellness is both more advanced—and more overwhelming—than everThe line between innovation and snake oil, and how to tell the difference 2. Human Resilience & the Power of Community How obstacle events create unexpected belongingWhy helping others is a core human need we no longer get to practiceThe surprising reason community is more important than the workout itself 3. Brian’s Personal Story: Breaking the “Should Life” How miscarriages and divorce forced a reckoningA silent retreat that turned into a mental marathonWhat Brian discovered about emotional and spiritual health that no one teaches us 4. The Future of Wellness Why health is the root system beneath loneliness, division, and disconnectionThe “total health formula” and why there is no one-size-fits-all approachThe rise of wellness tourism, longevity science, and personalized health 5. Practical Ways to Start Today The two-minute morning practice Brian uses every dayWhy strength training may be the simplest path to long-term wellbeingThe value of men’s groups, masterminds, and communities that tell you the truth 6. A Vision for the Next 20 Years Brian paints a hopeful picture of a future where: Schools teach mindfulness and emotional intelligenceWorkplaces normalize breathwork, movement, and recoveryWellness becomes as common as brushing our teethCommunities inspire healthier choices instead of numbing distractions 🔗 Connect with Brian von Ancken Website: https://www.brianvonancken.com (or the site he prefers—share if different) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianvonancken/ Wellness Growth Mastermind: (Add link if provided by Brian) 🧠 Key Quote from the Episode “Living a healthy life is living an intentional life. And intention is the first step toward agency.” — Brian von Ancken ▶️ Listen now to learn: How health becomes a form of empowerment… Why community matters more than perfection… And what the wellness movement can teach us about the future of...