In this powerhouse episode of Unleash Your Unique Genius, I sit down with Danny Lehr—former PE teacher turned entrepreneur, gym owner, co-founder of Caffeine & Kilos, and now author—to explore what happens when you say yes to bold ideas and follow your energy.
From building one of the most recognized brands in fitness to co-owning a thriving gym, Danny shares the real behind-the-scenes story of launching a business that started with a credit card and a T-shirt design—and exploded into a global lifestyle brand. We also dive into the power of partnerships, the pitfalls of overdeveloping your idea before sharing it with your team, and how to structure your day around your genius.
🔥 Here’s what we cover:
How Caffeine & Kilos Was Born
- How a weightlifting event and a T-shirt idea turned into a million-dollar brand in the first year.
- The moment Danny charged $7,000 to his credit card to launch an event—with no doubt it would work.
- How they scaled by leading with obvious solutions and deep belief.
The Journey from Teacher to Founder
- How Danny made the leap from a full-time PE teacher to full-time business owner with a newborn at home.
- What the first few years looked like, balancing early mornings, late nights, and staying married in the process.
Mastering Ideas, Vision, and Team Buy-In
- Why you shouldn’t over-develop an idea before bringing it to your team.
- How brainstorming with your team leads to better outcomes and less emotional attachment to the original plan.
- The difference between excitement, doubt, and processing—and why your team’s first reaction might not mean what you think.
Delegation and the “Accelerate” Quadrant
- How to evaluate your time using the Delegate, Eliminate, Automate, and Accelerate matrix.
- Why you should be doubling down on what gives you energy, adds the most value, and aligns with your goals.
- The surprising link between high-performance habits and sustainable joy in business.
💬 Favorite Quotes:
“The best way to start something is to just start. Swipe the card, commit, and figure it out.”
“If you overdevelop your idea, you stop brainstorming and start pitching. And then you're too attached to let it evolve.”
“Energy-giving tasks are almost always your highest-value ones. Pour gas on those.”
“By not asking for the sale, you’re actually holding people back from what they want.”
💡 Want to Reflect?
Your challenge this week:
Where are you holding back on asking, launching, or starting because it doesn’t feel “ready”?
Swipe the card. Make the move. Put your energy where it matters most.
And if you’re still doing tasks that drain you—run them through the Delegate-Eliminate-Automate-Accelerate Matrix. Then accelerate what’s working.
🙌 Stay Connected
- Subscribe to Unleash Your Unique Genius on Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite platform.
- Learn more about Danny’s journey and grab Caffeine & Kilos gear at caffeineandkilos.com.
- Get on Danny’s author journey email list and follow his upcoming book launch in March 2024!
Unique Genius
Hosted by Angela Schroeder, Unleash Your Unique Genius is a powerful podcast designed to inspire entrepreneurs, business leaders, and growth-minded individuals to lean fully into their unique strengths and live with intention. Through raw and empowering conversations with leaders, creatives, and changemakers, Angela uncovers stories of resilience, vision, and courage — highlighting how each guest has harnessed their unique genius to create meaningful impact.
The show equips listeners with actionable strategies for personal growth, leadership, and unlocking greater freedom and fulfillment in their lives and businesses. Whether you're building something new or seeking a deeper sense of alignment and purpose, this podcast is your space to be encouraged, challenged, and reminded that the most powerful thing you can be is unapologetically yourself.