Episode 003

The Timeline of Suck: How to Keep Moving with Life Hits Hard with Andrew Bowen

Most people have a rough week. Andrew Bowen had a rough decade. In this episode, he walks us through what he jokingly – but not inaccurately – calls The Timeline of Suck.

A terrifying medical scare with his young son. His own near-death experience during a black belt test. His wife’s breast cancer diagnosis. All within a few short years – in the same month, no less.

And yet – this conversation isn’t a tragedy. It’s a masterclass in resilience, mindset, and showing up when everything hits the fan. We talk about what it means to do the reps when you're not in chaos – so that when chaos does show up (and it will), you're ready.

Andrew is a multifamily industry thought leader (read: he speaks apartment fluently), a devoted husband and father, and co-founder of Rising Phoenix – the health and wellness business he built alongside his wife Joy after cancer threw everything into perspective.

If you're currently in your own “timeline of suck” – or you’re just bracing for the next curveball – this one’s for you.

Top 3 Takeaways – Narrated, Not Noted

1. The reps happen before the chaos.
When you're in the middle of a health scare, a financial blow, or any personal crisis, you don’t rise to the occasion – you fall to the level of your training. Andrew’s story is a powerful reminder that what you do daily matters more than what you do when the pressure’s on.

2. Fitness saved his life – literally.
During his black belt test, Andrew unknowingly experienced a heart event called atrial flutter. Most people with his condition wouldn't have survived. His doctor said it outright: your fitness saved you. It started as a vanity goal (look better in a T-shirt) – it ended up keeping him alive.

3. The phoenix has to burn.
Their wellness company, Rising Phoenix, isn’t just a cute name. It’s the entire ethos of their story. There’s no rising without fire. There’s no transformation without loss. But if you’re willing to go through it – and ask for help when you’re in it – there’s a comeback waiting on the other side.

Connect with Andrew Bowen:


Want more goodness from Heather Campbell?

FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM

Where I drop brand-building insights, real-world marketing advice, cool AI tips, and the occasional “what were they thinking?” breakdowns. Think: lessons from 30 years in the branding trenches, for female founders who want a brand they love and that quietly, consistently attracts the right clients. 


Get the good stuff

If you like your marketing advice clear, doable, and surprisingly confidence-boosting, get on my list. I send practical insights, behind-the-scenes peeks, and honest-to-God useful tools you won’t find on my website (or Instagram).


LEAVE A QUICK REVIEW ON APPLE PODCASTS

Loving Curveball? Leave a quick review on Apple Podcasts. It helps more people find the show. And it lets me know what’s landing. Thanks for listening – I’ll be back next week with another curveball worth catching.