From Tough Mudder Lawyer to Wellness Community Builder—Why Relationships Beat Marketing

What if the secret to growing a business isn’t a clever marketing playbook—but getting the right people in a room? Brian von Ancken shares how he went from law school to Tough Mudder, learned to trust his instincts, and accidentally started a community that now connects more than 200 leaders across health and wellness.

In this conversation, Brian explains why a true community is more than events or an online platform: it’s the relationships that continue to grow beyond them. He also reflects on creating a give-first environment—and how connections made through the group have led to unexpected opportunities, from media coverage to a CMO hire and a million-dollar investment.