Joe Pate didn’t go looking for the Medicare industry—it found him. While helping his grandparents navigate the confusing world of Medicare, he realized just how broken the system felt for everyday people. That experience sparked a mission: to simplify Medicare and make real help accessible.

In 2018, he launched Medicare Joe®, which now serves thousands of seniors each year with honest, no-fluff guidance. But that was just the beginning. Over time, Joe kept hearing the same thing from his clients: “Can you help me with retirement, too?” The more stories he heard—people running out of money, going back to work, or unsure of what to do next—the more he knew he had to step in.

So, in 2022, he founded Retire With Joe, LLC, offering transparent retirement planning, powered by a Series 65 license and a deep desire to educate, not confuse. With his “Portfolio X-Ray” process and annual review system, Joe and his team bring peace of mind to people planning their future.

Inside CoachG, Joe leads 3rd and Long: Annuity 101, where he teaches agents how to identify annuity opportunities buried in plain sight—and how to turn one policy into a long-term financial solution. It’s not theory—it’s the exact playbook Joe runs in his own business.

A former college athlete and MBA grad from Salve Regina University, Joe grew up just outside Providence, RI, as the oldest of five siblings. That big-brother mentality is still what drives him today—lead by example, show up when it matters, and always put others first.

“Every Medicare client is one question away from an annuity.”

Emily Gruening is the brand builder behind the brand. With nearly two decades of experience in hospitality, entertainment, and now insurance leadership, Emily brings a unique gift for creating culture, crafting vision, and turning ideas into momentum.

As co-founder of COACHG and the coach behind Brand Blitz and The Game Plan, Emily helps agents and agency owners build brands that are more than just colors and logos—brands that inspire, connect, and convert. She’s the driving force behind COACHG’s look, feel, and voice—and the reason agents inside our programs feel more like a movement than a membership.

Her superpower? Helping people feel connected to the mission and confident in their voice. Whether it’s defining a brand’s message, elevating internal culture, or coaching agency owners to lead with vision, Emily leads with heart and precision.

At home in Burns, Tennessee, Emily lives out the culture she preaches—raising two strong girls, Remi and Hunter, alongside her husband Chase, cheering on the Titans, hosting friends, and finding quiet moments by the pool with a good book and their dog, Rip.

“Your brand is more than how you look—it’s how you lead.”

Travis Goveia brings a team-first mindset and a deep playbook of practical knowledge to every rep inside COACHG. Growing up in a big family with four brothers—including his twin—competition, leadership, and hard work were built into his DNA. A three-sport athlete through high school, Travis went on to play football and earn his MBA from Millikin University.

Since 2018, Travis has been in the Medicare trenches—working directly with clients and coaching agents on how to win in one of the most technical (and rewarding) spaces in the industry. Today, as the National Director of Sales at Gruening Health & Wealth, he oversees a high-performing team of agents and teaches the fundamentals that drive real results.

Inside COACHG, Travis leads The Practice Field—a weekly session where agents roll up their sleeves and get hands-on with the operational and sales details that make the difference. From navigating carrier portals to mastering product-specific conversations, he helps agents tighten their game one rep at a time.

When he’s not coaching agents or clients, you’ll find him coaching high school football, watching classic movies, or hanging out with his fiancé Sara and their massive crew of nieces and nephews.

“Execution beats potential—every time.”

Chris Hunt is the connector, closer, and coach behind the scenes—making sure the business relationships around COACHG move with precision, purpose, and long-term strategy. Born and raised in London, England, Chris moved stateside in 2006 to attend Millikin University, where he played football and earned his degree in Business Management before going on to complete his MBA at Louisiana State University.

With a background in finance, commodity trading, and energy procurement, Chris brings a rare combination of corporate-level polish and gritty, get-it-done hustle. As CoachG’s Director of Business Development, he manages key external partnerships, maintains the bridge between CoachG and its FMO network, and serves as the point man for agency owners inside the program—helping them navigate opportunities, resources, and strategic growth initiatives.

Whether he’s negotiating deals, guiding new agency owners through the system, or repping CoachG in high-stakes conversations, Chris is the guy you want in your corner when it’s time to expand your footprint and level up your business.

He currently lives in Nashville with his wife Courtney and their two daughters, Collins and Camden. When he’s off the clock, you’ll find him hunting, cheering on England Rugby, or spending quality time with family and friends.

“Growth isn’t luck—it’s built, one smart move at a time.”