Curt Sassak

Curt Sassak's Coaching

So, you’ve got a life and career that looks great on paper, but no longer feels like a win.

If you’ve hit a point where the pressure’s high and the payoff is low, you’re not alone.
 You’ve outgrown the life you built.

That’s exactly who I work with.

If you're thinking you can just grind your way through it—good luck.
 I tried that.
 So did most of my clients.
 We all ended up at the same place: stuck, frustrated, spinning our wheels. 

Enter: The Recipe
 A high-performance framework built for high-achievers who want clarity, and momentum, fast.

It’s inspired by my 27-year chef career—because chefs don’t wing it.
 We follow structure.
 We refine.
 We execute with precision.

That’s what this is.

This isn’t a journal prompt and a pep talk.

 It’s a system—tested by fire—designed to help you:

 → Get clear on what’s next
 → Identify and eliminate the internal drag holding you back
 → Build momentum through customized strategy

This isn’t personal development.
 It’s personal execution.

We extract your core drivers, map them to your next chapter, and build a plan that makes sense for your ambition, standards, and lifestyle.

And I don’t take on everyone.

This is for people who have a track record of making sh*t happen,
 And are ready to channel that same energy into building the next version of themselves.

It requires honesty. Focus. Execution.

 You bring that—I’ll bring the clarity, speed, and accountability.

DM me “RECIPE” when you’re ready to move.

 And just know—I don’t work with spectators. Only builders.

Life and Career Strategist

Winetasters Choice: An Adult Beverage Promotional Agency

Key accomplishments:

👉Spearheaded the strategic growth of a B2B beverage promotion agency, elevating annual revenue from $300,000 to $1.4 million. 

👉Drove the company's revenue-generation engine as the principal revenue officer, by additional $221,000 in revenue within a five-month span in 2023 

👉Expanded operational footprint from 12 employees across four cities in Texas to a team of 250 employees spanning three states

👉Authored and enforced comprehensive standards, processes, and protocols, laying the foundation for scalable growth and operational excellence. 

👉Pioneered a remote work model, adeptly managing a dispersed team, fostering a culture of accountability and high performance. 

👉Spearheaded the development and execution of comprehensive social media campaigns, from conceptualization to content creation and audience engagement. 

👉Achieved a 4.6/5 star rating on Glassdoor, reflecting exceptional leadership and a positive organizational culture. Garnered a 90% approval rating from employees, underscoring effective management and employee satisfaction. 

👉Demonstrated deep understanding of market trends, and consumer behavior, enabling the development of targeted promotional campaigns. 

👉Regulatory Compliance: Ensured all promotional activities complied with industry regulations and standards, maintaining the agency's reputation and operational integrity. 

👉Achieved significant growth with a small team by  implementing new systems, automation and enhancing software utilization.

👉Problem-Solver: Excel at navigating ambiguous situations and making informed decisions with limited information. 

👉Founded and grew a successful YouTube channel, overseeing all aspects of content creation, video production, and editing. Utilized the platform to effectively drive new business opportunities

Company closed by the owner on 3/2/2024.

Testimonials:
https://winetasterschoice.com/testimonials-2/

President and Chief Revenue Officer

Executive Chef

Focused experience working in internationally renowned 5-star establishments.

USA, India, Dubai, Egypt, Australia and the Maldives

Previously employed at: Four Seasons Domestic, Four Seasons International, Hyatt Domestic, Hyatt International, One & Only, Marriott, independent restaurants


Key accomplishments:

👉 Distinguished by two guest chef appearances at the world-renowned James Beard House, a testament to culinary artistry and innovation.

👉 Engaged audiences with charismatic presence through 10 live TV appearances, enhancing brand visibility and personal brand as a culinary expert.

👉 Garnered 24 Best Restaurant/Hotel awards, affirming excellence in culinary delivery and guest satisfaction.

👉 Secured the prestigious Best New Restaurant Award from the iconic Washingtonian Magazine 

👉 Celebrated for exceptional culinary creations and service, reflected in numerous positive critiques and write-ups across esteemed culinary publications.

👉 Spearheaded the pre-opening phases of hotels and restaurants, demonstrating strategic foresight and operational excellence in establishing culinary ventures.

👉 Commanded teams of up to 200, fostering a culture of excellence, creativity, and teamwork in high-pressure environments.

👉 Managed multi-million dollar food and beverage operations, showcasing adept financial acumen and operational management to drive profitability and culinary excellence.

👉 Lowered food cost by $70,000 and increased the guest satisfaction rating for food quality by 1.4 points from 2 to 3.4 on a scale of 1-5 in my first year as Executive Chef

Teaching Mid-Career Leaders how to navigate life & career transitions using my Proven Recipe / Improve the quality of your life / Create your next chapter by design, not default / Former Chef

𝙎𝙪𝙘𝙘𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙃𝙖𝙨 𝙖 𝘾𝙧𝙪𝙚𝙡 𝙎𝙚𝙣𝙨𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙃𝙪𝙢𝙤𝙧.

You work your ass off, climb the ladder, got everything you want on paper, but feel empty. 

You ask yourself, "Is this it? What's next?"

You tell yourself it’s just a phase. That the feeling will pass.

It won’t.

At first, it’s a nagging thought. Then it’s an ache. 

You're wondering how you went from feeling like a confident badass knocking out your goals to just tolerating your life and career. 

Now, you dread waking up and you're just going through the motions daydreaming about the way things used to be. 

You know you want a change. You have something more to offer the world. 

But fear is holding you back. 

I know this feeling. It cost me 4 years of my life. I was depressed, and it cost me my confidence, my drive, and over $250,000.

Until I decided to take back control.

𝐖𝐇𝐎 𝐈 𝐇𝐄𝐋𝐏 & 𝐇𝐎𝐖

I work with career-driven, successful professionals 40 and up who feel stuck and want more out of life.

You’re not lost. You’re not broken. You’re just at a crossroads.

Your problem isn’t knowing you need a change. 

Your problem is knowing HOW to do it—without wasting years stuck in limbo like I did.

Your clarity is just like a five-star dish—if you’re missing key ingredients or following the wrong process, it won’t turn out right.

That’s where I come in.

I help high-performers get the exact recipe they need to figure out what’s next.

Here’s the recipe:

𝙄𝙣𝙜𝙧𝙚𝙙𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙨:

🔥 Sharpen Your Mindset: REGAIN your CONFIDENCE and break free from self-doubt and second-guessing.
🔥 Regain Balance: Stop just surviving—start actually living.
🔥 Get Crystal Clear Clarity: Know exactly where you're headed and how to get there.
🔥 Remove Mental Roadblocks: Identify and eliminate what’s keeping you stuck.
🔥 Design Your Next Chapter: Not by accident. Not by default. But with intention.
 
𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙘𝙚𝙙𝙪𝙧𝙚:

Follow a proven and tested real-world process built on precise ingredients that puts you back in control.

𝘾𝙇𝙄𝙀𝙉𝙏 𝙍𝙀𝙎𝙐𝙇𝙏𝙎

The real success stories? My clients.

"Curt didn’t just help my career—he helped me take back my life. His approach forced me to get real about what I wanted. The clarity I gained was priceless."
— Matt Lunny

𝙉𝙀𝙓𝙏 𝙎𝙏𝙀𝙋𝙎

If you're done settling and want to wake up excited about your life again, let’s talk.

Message me: "I want the Recipe" to learn more. 

That’s it. No fluff. No B.S. Just results.

— Curt

Founder

So, you’re career driven, have had success, and now you feel like there are no more mountains to climb.

You got to the top of the “mountain,” and achieving your goals only to find you don’t feel fulfilled or happy. It’s like, WTF?

Your life/career no longer serves you. All you know is that you feel stuck and see no way out. You need to make a change. But doing what?

Then fear creeps in. You have questions.  “What do I do now?”  “I don’t know what else to do” 

“If I change careers how will I make enough to pay my bills?” and so on

These are the same questions (and more) I asked myself when I did a career change after 27 years as a chef and started over at 41 from zero.

Did you know a New York Times study found that 75% of Americans don’t have a clear sense of purpose?

And, there are serious health risks associated with a lack of purpose

A lack of purpose affects your self-worth, self-confidence, and self-esteem.
Which, in turn, can lead to depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and other health issues.
I experienced all of those.

The good news is this: You’re only 5 steps away from finding the purpose, fulfillment, and new career you so desperately want.

They are the same 5 steps I used to go from feeling lost/stuck and finding a purpose and fulfillment

All it requires from you is self-honesty and a commitment to change

I coach people through one-to-one sessions

You think asking for help is equivalent to failure? Yep, I used to think the same, but that’s your ego talking

Consider: If you’ve been stuck, and the steps you’ve taken have not yielded results, what makes you think anything will change by repeating what you’ve done?

What got you here will not get you THERE.

Just like a car needs realignment from time to time, our personal and professional vision needs realignment from time to time

So, you can remain stuck and lost, or you can send me a DM

Joel Monteleone

Joel Monteleone Coaching

I support high achievers in creating freedom for their job, without sacrificing success in their careers. 

My clients learn to manage stress, create a healthier work/life balance, and build a life outside of work that brings purpose and fulfillment in order to prevent burnout and achieve their personal and professional goals through 1:1 coaching and development.

Life Coach

Buraq HR

Director of Sales And Business Development

Archimedes

The most exclusive members club for LinkedIn thought leaders.

Member

MongoDB

Account Executive, Strategic Accounts

Y22Q3: 352% Quota Attainment / Global Top Performer
Y22Q2: 420% Quota Attainment / Global Top Performer

Sr. Enterprise Account Representative, Strategic Accounts

Y22Q1: 350% Quota Attainment / West Coast Region Top Performer / Team MVP

Enterprise Account Representative, Strategic Accounts

Work alongside Enterprise Sales to identifying and qualifying new opportunities within MongoDB's largest and most strategic accounts.

Y21Q3: 180% Quota Attainment
Y21Q4: 190% Quota Attainment

Enterprise Account Representative

Giddy

• Identified, developed and implemented partnerships with partner brands to elevate the Giddy brand and reach new audiences. 
• Conceived and executed creative, out-of-the-box, press-worthy, brand-elevating partnerships.
• Strategically identified and evaluated potential partnerships and relationships with key third parties in partnership with the relevant Business leaders.
• Collaborated cross-functionally to align business, revenue, and brand goals.
• Negotiated and close strategic partnership deals.
• Maintained long-term relationships with high-profile organizations and individuals.

Manager, Brand Partnerships & PR

Venables Bell and Partners

Day-to-day agency contact for Westin Hotels & Resorts, Renaissance Hotels & Audi USA

Brand Manager

ZipRecruiter

• Lead on creative strategy across digital and paid social media marketing to drive efficient B2B employer acquisition 
• Evaluate and report on weekly creative performance of paid social campaigns to Senior Leadership and Creative Team
• Develop multiple creative briefs per month for all paid social campaigns and oversee creative production to completion 
• Increase Facebook Ad Imp2Reg by 4x through creative refresh, concept testing, and optimization
• Partner closely with Creative, Digital Media, and Product Marketing Teams to meet brand and performance objectives  
• Drive SMB employer acquisition through branded, performance driven paid media content on YouTube  

Sr. Marketing Associate

• Ensured internal and external timelines are adhered to, budgets tracked, and high-profile advertising deadlines are met
• Creative resource allocation and project management for complex, cross functional, integrated marketing campaigns  
• Managed external sports marketing partners and co-marketing initiatives with NHL and NCAA Athletic Programs  
• Created internal digital asset management system for naming, tracking, and storing creative  
• Led weekly sprint meetings with marketing leadership and creative department

Marketing Associate, Project Management

• Performed administrative duties for Chief Marketing Officer & SVP, Product & Growth
• Managed third-party vendor and advertising agency through seven-figure television production budget 
• Trained 300+ person sales and CS team in new product launches, features, and marketing optimization tests
• Served as product marketing specialist between Marketing and Sales Team around new product launches, features, and tests

Marketing Administrative Coordinator

UC Santa Barbara

I served as the first Student Representative on the University Center Marketing Board. Reestablished an online presence on Social Media channels. Administered campus-wide, online contests to advertise special events within the University Center.

University Center Marketing Intern

Stay up to date on all Health and Safety operations within the University Center. Serve as Emergency Evacuation Personnel. Educate all other University Center Service Managers on the current Health and Safety methods. First Aid and CPR Certified. Attend monthly University-wide Health and Safety Meetings.

University Center Health & Safety Coordinator

As a Service Manager at the UCSB University Center, also known as the Student Union Building, I was given the responsibility to ensure that daily activities ran smoothly and efficiently. I served as the "eyes and ears" of the Administrational Staff and gained "real life" managerial experience. My responsibilities included maintaining the security, safety, and appearance of the University Center, in addition to implementing Conference Services events on a daily basis.

University Center Service Manager

Tech Life Coach | I help high achieving tech professionals become burnout-proof in 90 days so they make more money w/out working more hours or sacrificing fulfillment outside of work | Free Clarity Call⬇️

Use the link below to book a Free Clarity Call with me today
https://link.joelmonteleone.com/widget/bookings/jm-free-clarity-call

After working in tech for 10 years and burning out twice, I left multiple tech jobs for the wrong reasons and set my career back years. 

I'm committed to ensuring you don't make the same mistake. 

CLIENTS SEEK MY SERVICES WHEN: 
📌 They have a poor work/life balance.
📌 They are considering leaving their job.
📌 They set poor boundaries with their work. 
📌 They wake up each day tired and not energized. 
📌 They are experiencing burnout in their current job.
📌 They lack clarity in their career and longterm vision. 
📌 They do not have deep personal relationships with friends of family. 
📌 They struggle to find time outside of work to focus on new passions.

MY PROCESS: 
✅ Audit: I perform an audit of your life across work, personal, health and play to develop a baseline for how you experience joy, connection and performance throughout each. 
✅ Vision: Map your dream outcome across all 4 domains and use that as the North Star for the next 90 days. Your dream outcome will come true. 
✅ Mindset: I will work with you to adjust your mindset around what you believe is possible and manifest your dream life/business. 
✅ Implementation: Improve time-management, set boundaries, and develop a schedule to create more time to achieve the things you want outside of work to live a fulfilled life. 

Ready to fall back in love with your work and your life?

Learn more and book your free Coaching Clarity Call below: https://calendly.com/joelmontecoaching/free-clarity-call

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The Battle

Curt Sassak

Joel Monteleone

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