Chase Gruening is the visionary Founder and CEO of COACHG, a game-changing coaching and training company that empowers insurance agencies to reach their highest potential. With a unique blend of grit, determination, and a deep understanding of the insurance industry, Chase has built COACHG into a powerhouse of knowledge and support for agency owners and agents alike.

Chase’s journey began far from the insurance world. Armed with a degree in fitness and sports from Millikin University, he spent years coaching college football, honing his skills in leadership, strategy, and team-building. In 2016, he took a leap into the insurance industry, where his passion for teaching and leading others found a new home. Starting as a solo agent, Chase quickly grew his business into Gruening Health and Wealth (GHW), a multiple seven-figure agency known for its excellence in Medicare and retirement planning.

Recognizing a gap in the industry for comprehensive, practical training, Chase launched COACHG with a clear mission: Creating Championship Producers. Building Championship Teams. COACHG offers a range of programs tailored to meet the needs of insurance professionals at every stage of their careers. From the Rookie Season for new agents to the Two-Point Plays on cross-selling, and The Coach’s Office—a 12-month residency program designed to build seven-figure agencies—COACHG provides the tools, strategies, and community support needed for sustainable growth.

Chase’s approach is rooted in real-world experience. He’s walked the path from struggling agent to successful agency owner and is passionate about helping others achieve the same. With COACHG, you’re not just learning from a coach; you’re learning from someone who’s been in your shoes and knows what it takes to win.

Chase lives just outside of Nashville, Tennessee, with his wife, Emily, their daughters, Remi and Hunter, and their dog, Rip. When he’s not coaching insurance professionals to success, he’s enjoying time with his family or reflecting on the journey that brought him from the sidelines of a football field to the forefront of the insurance industry.

With nearly two decades of experience in hospitality, entertainment, and now as an instrumental force behind COACHG, Emily Gruening is dedicated to nurturing talent and fostering an exceptional culture. As part of the COACHG leadership team, she excels in creating spaces where agents and staff feel deeply connected to their work, inspired by the company’s vision, and empowered to achieve peak performance. Emily’s expertise in defining and elevating brands through storytelling has helped COACHG become a trusted, unique leader in insurance coaching and training, with a focus on innovation, trust, and community.

Emily’s commitment to excellence and relationship-building drives COACHG’s mission of empowering agents to transform their businesses. At home in Burns, Tennessee, she enjoys an active lifestyle with her husband Chase, daughters Remi and Hunter, and their dog Rip. When not entertaining, traveling, or cheering on the Tennessee Titans, Emily can be found relaxing with a good book by the pool.

Coach Micheal Burt, the visionary force driving The Greatness Factory, is universally acclaimed as the preeminent expert in igniting the Prey Drive within individuals and achieving unmatched mastery in the realm of successful monetization. With a legacy spanning over two dynamic decades, Coach Burt has stood at the forefront of empowering top performers across diverse fields to transcend their limitations. His hallmark lies in his unparalleled ability to awaken the innate pursuit of excellence known as the Prey Drive, propelling individuals to relentlessly pursue their aspirations with unwavering fervor.

Coach Burt's influence doesn't stop at motivational inspiration; it delves deep into the intricate art of crafting and optimizing business strategies. His transformative insights, encompassed in his Wall Street Journal best-selling book "Flip The Switch," have charted new pathways to success for countless achievers. Coach Burt's strategies have fostered an array of top performers, guiding them to harness their unique strengths and convert them into thriving ventures.

Coach Micheal Burt's extraordinary journey has been marked by a relentless pursuit of excellence. He claimed his first coaching victory at just 18 years old, a championship won at the very elementary school where he once studied. Inspired by Dr. Stephen Covey's "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People," Burt delved into Covey's "Whole Person Theory," shaping his approach to coaching by honing body, mind, heart, and spirit.

Burt's coaching legacy was solidified when, at 22, he became Tennessee's youngest head coach, guiding Riverdale High School's basketball program to unparalleled heights. A master of cultivating a "competitive intelligence" within his players, Burt's revolutionary philosophy garnered global attention. This led to his writing 14 impactful books, setting the stage for his transformation into a sought-after growth expert.

Transitioning from sports at 31, Burt built a multimillion-dollar coaching empire and founded the Monster Producer coaching program, which has reshaped sales professionals and business owners alike. With an unwavering goal of achieving 43% growth within a year, Burt consistently empowers individuals to redefine success. At 47, he's recognized as "America's Coach," fusing his championship coaching background with a dedication to unlocking people's potential in the business world.

Coach Burt's coaching is characterized by his potent blend of intensity and positivity, fostering action and results. This journey commenced at 15 when he embarked on his basketball coaching career, forming the foundation for a lifelong mission of nurturing greatness in others.

Justin Thomas is the play-caller behind the pixels. As the founder of Insurance Advertising Masters, he’s helped hundreds of agents and agency owners go from overlooked to fully booked using digital advertising that actually works.

Inside COACHG, Justin leads The Perfect Play—a tactical marketing session designed to show members how to run high-performing ads, drive real leads, and generate appointments on autopilot. No gimmicks. No vague advice. Just proven ad frameworks, real-time feedback, and results-driven coaching that turns advertising from a money pit into a pipeline.

With a background in sales, entrepreneurship, and digital marketing, Justin is obsessed with helping agents take control of their lead flow without relying on vendors or outdated tactics. Whether you're running webinars, launching new campaigns, or refining your offer—he’s the guy you want in your corner.

Based in Omaha, Nebraska, Justin balances work and life with his wife and their kids, leading with faith, family, and a relentless focus on impact.

“Great ads don’t chase—they attract.”

Joseph Pate is from a suburban town just outside of Providence, Rhode Island. He is the oldest of five siblings and this helped create a foundation for his leadership and work ethic. In 2013, Joseph decided to enter the corporate world. While juggling being a college athlete, studentA and adviser, Joseph was able to graduate at the top of his class and earned his MBA at Salve Regina University in Newport, Rhode Island.

Aside from his educational accomplishments, Joseph established Medicare Joe ® back in 2018. He stumbled upon the Medicare industry through assisting his grandparents with their Medicare plans. Witnessing how difficult it was for his grandparents to understand Medicare, he figured there had to be more people just like them that were having difficulty. Joseph then set out on a mission to learn all the “ins and outs” of Medicare. With the demand of seniors needing assistance with their Medicare needs, Joseph felt that he could be an asset to the senior population, and he created Medicare Joe ®. Since then, the Medicare Joe ® insurance agency has grown rapidly and now helps thousands of Medicare beneficiaries each year with their Medicare needs.

Similarly, to how he stumbled upon the Medicare industry through his grandparents, it was his Medicare clients that led him to the Retirement Planning industry. Through countless inquiries of folks needing assistance with their retirement plan, Joseph decided there was more he could do to help people. In 2022 he set out to seek advice and partnerships to assist with delivering this service to his clients. In less than 6 months, he established Retire With Joe, LLC, where he and his team help educate folks about their financial situation and retirement planning. Through a transparent, simple, and easy to understand Portfolio X-Ray Worksheet, they can relay valuable insight and guidance that their clients can ACTUALLY understand.

While growing both companies, Joseph has been helping other agents and agencies across the county within the Medicare and Retirement Planning industry. While helping these agents and agencies, he emphasizes that ALL agents should be trained not only on Medicare, but on how their clients will need help with retirement planning as well.

Eric is a vanguard in the insurance industry. With over two decades of experience, Eric has carved a niche in the senior, life and health insurance sectors. His journey took a significant turn in 2006 when he ventured into the broker channel of the senior market, focusing on Medicare Advantage and Medicare supplements. As the Director of Sales & Marketing for a national FMO, Eric spent 12 years enriching insurance agents and clients with his expertise.

In 2018, Eric co-founded an enrollment call center, where he managed a multi-million dollar advertising budget, generated more than 150,000 leads and lead a team to produce thousands of applications annually. Currently, Eric co-operates CDA Insurance Solutions with Clarissa Gonzalez, aiming to revolutionize client service through technology, marketing and community outreach.

Eric and his family reside in Chandler, Arizona, where he prioritizes spending time with his family — traveling, watching movies together and supporting his children’s athletic pursuits. Additionally, Eric is a thriving podcast host and technology enthusiast, actively conducting interviews, monitoring trends and expanding his platform.

Jason Mickool is the President and CEO of Florida Financial Advisors, a leading independent wealth management and financial planning firm serving clients nationwide. With over two decades of experience in the financial services industry, Jason has built a reputation for combining strategic vision with a client-first approach. Under his leadership, Florida Financial Advisors has experienced rapid growth, expanding its team of skilled advisors and developing innovative solutions that help individuals, families, and business owners achieve their financial goals.

Jason’s career began with a passion for empowering clients through education and personalized strategies, which has evolved into a mission to mentor the next generation of financial advisors. He is known for cultivating a high-performance culture, emphasizing integrity, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Beyond his role at Florida Financial Advisors, Jason is an advocate for financial literacy, frequently speaking on topics such as retirement planning, investment strategies, and entrepreneurial success. His leadership style blends disciplined execution with a genuine commitment to helping people create financial independence and long-term security.