We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Dior Johnson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Dior, appreciate you joining us today. Can you walk us through some of the key steps that allowed you move beyond an idea and actually launch?

The idea for my platform really started long before I ever hit “record.” It began in the quiet moments after my own athletic journey ended—those transitional phases that student-athletes and professional athletes rarely talk about, where you’re redefining who you are outside of the sport that shaped you. I noticed how many of us struggle with identity, purpose, and direction once the lights go off.

At first, that’s who I wanted to speak to. But over time, the vision grew. I realized these transitions aren’t just an “athlete thing”—they’re a human thing. Everyone is navigating challenges, elevating, failing, growing, and trying to progress through life’s hardships. That understanding is what planted the seed for Perfecting Progression.

The original plan was actually to build this platform alongside a former football teammate. We had great synergy, but being in two different states made it hard to execute. When the plan fell apart, I had a moment where I really had to ask myself: Can I run this by myself? Do I have the resources to build something meaningful, or am I just dreaming?

That uncertainty pushed me straight into curiosity. I started asking questions, studying setup processes, and figuring out what infrastructure I’d need to turn an idea into something tangible. Around that time, a close friend of mine, Lauren Black—host of “letstalkwithlo”—became a major influence. I probably annoyed her with how many questions I asked about her workflow and how she used Spotify for Podcasters, but those conversations were crucial. They gave me clarity and confidence.

On April 6th, 2023, I finally stopped overthinking and took the leap. Season 1 of Perfecting Progression launched on audio platforms only—ten episodes, raw, real, and fully fueled by faith. And honestly, the launch proved something important: starting is the hardest part, but starting is also progress.
As the platform began growing, I understood how much relationships matter. I’ve always been a natural networker, and leveraging genuine connections has played a huge role in how this podcast expanded. I knew that if I wanted to elevate the brand visually and creatively, I had to find the right people—people who aligned with my vision and valued quality the same way I did.

That’s when I connected with OneGoal Media, run by two talented brothers, Aaron and Allen Anderson, here in Minnesota. Partnering with them elevated everything. Their production quality, creativity, and shared commitment to excellence helped take Seasons 2 and 3 to a whole new level—full videos, professional clips, better storytelling, and a platform that’s now gaining traction in multiple regions across the country.

What started as a simple idea rooted in personal transition has evolved into a growing brand that supports, challenges, and builds community. The process wasn’t clean or perfectly mapped out, but it was real. And that’s ultimately what turned the idea into execution.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

For those who may not know me, my name is Dior Johnson—creator and host of the Perfecting Progression podcast, a platform rooted in culture, storytelling, and the universal journey of becoming better. I’m originally from Detroit, MI, and my foundation was shaped through years as a student-athlete competing at the Division I, JUCO, and Division I AA levels. Football took me across multiple states and environments, exposing me to different people, mindsets, and cultures. Those experiences built my resilience, sharpened my perspective, and laid the groundwork for the work I do today.

My path into this industry wasn’t traditional. I didn’t come from media, production, or communications—I came from life experience. What pulled me into this space was watching so many athletes, peers, and everyday people struggle to redefine themselves once their identity shifted. I understood that feeling deeply. That sparked the vision to build a platform centered on real conversations, growth, vulnerability, and the process of elevating through life’s challenges.

Perfecting Progression is now in its third season, and the platform has expanded into audio-visual production, storytelling, brand collaborations, and creating space for impactful voices—from entrepreneurs and creatives to corporate leaders and athletes. My “product,” in a sense, is perspective. I provide content that inspires people to think deeper, move intentionally, and stay committed to their own evolution.
What sets my work apart is that it’s rooted in authenticity and culture. I’m not here to chase trends—I’m here to build community, amplify stories that matter, and highlight people who are actively striving, failing, learning, and growing. My guests aren’t selected just because they’re successful, but because they’ve earned their lessons and can pour back into others. My platform is a place where vulnerability meets value.

I think one of my strengths is the ability to connect with people—whether I’m behind a mic or building relationships offline. I’m intentional about making guests feel seen and understood, and I’m equally intentional about making listeners feel like they’re gaining something useful they can apply in their everyday lives. The content isn’t transactional; it’s transformational.
I’m most proud of the consistency and growth of this platform. From launching Season 1 with audio-only episodes recorded on pure faith, to now producing high-quality visual content with an expanding reach across multiple regions, I’ve learned how to build something meaningful while staying true to myself. I’m proud of the relationships built, the people impacted, and the community that continues to grow around this brand.

To potential followers, supporters, and new listeners: Perfecting Progression is bigger than a podcast—it’s a movement about embracing growth, honoring your story, and trusting the process. Every episode is crafted to leave you with something to reflect on. My goal isn’t just to entertain—it’s to make people feel understood, inspired, and challenged to keep evolving.

If you’re looking for a platform rooted in culture, authenticity, elevated storytelling, and real progression—this is the space for you.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

Absolutely. The mission behind my creative journey is rooted in defying the odds and rewriting the narratives placed on people who come from unconventional paths. I’ve never lived a traditional journey—nothing about my story followed the textbook route. I’ve had to adapt, pivot, rebuild, and reimagine my identity more than once. Because of that, my mission is to inspire others to take full ownership of who they are, regardless of the cards they’ve been dealt.

What drives me creatively is the belief that you can pave your own way even when the blueprint doesn’t exist. A lot of people grow up being told what they can’t become or what lane they should stay in. I’ve always felt the opposite—I’ve leaned into blending my skills, trusting my instincts, and refusing to conform to the statistics or stereotypes others may have expected me to fit. My goal is to show that you can elevate you—your voice, your brand, your purpose—simply by staying aligned with what you know to be true.

Perfecting Progression is a direct reflection of that mission. It’s about honoring individuality, celebrating resilience, and encouraging people to differentiate themselves instead of diluting their identity to fit in. Whether through storytelling, interviews, or personal reflections, my aim is to empower people to challenge norms, lean into authenticity, and create the version of success that feels real to them.

At the core of everything I do is this message: You are not bound to the expectations of others. You can build your own table, shape your own path, and redefine what your journey looks like. If my creative work helps even one person believe that, then I’m fulfilling the mission I set out to chase.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

One resource that has significantly shaped my entrepreneurial mindset and the way I navigate leadership is Morgan DeBaun’s book, “Rewrite Your Rules.”

That book didn’t just give me strategies—it gave me language for things I had already felt growing inside me. It aligned deeply with how I view identity, ownership, and the courage to build a life and brand on your own terms.

What stood out to me was the way Morgan challenges people to strip away the expectations placed on them—whether cultural, societal, or self-imposed—and redefine success through authenticity and intentionality. That message resonated with me in a real way because my own journey has required unlearning the “rules” I thought I had to follow. Her perspective helped sharpen my ability to trust myself, make decisions from a place of clarity, and operate without shrinking who I am to fit molds that were never designed for me.
“Rewrite Your Rules” also helped me develop a more empowered approach to management. The book reinforces the importance of leading with self-awareness, setting boundaries, and understanding that your creativity and drive are strongest when you’re aligned with your true identity. Those principles play a major role in how I build relationships, how I collaborate, and how I move as an entrepreneur who values impact, culture, and intentional growth.

In many ways, the book mirrored the philosophy behind Perfecting Progression—elevating your thinking, rewriting your path, and giving yourself permission to evolve beyond the limits others may have set for you. It’s a resource I recommend to anyone who wants to lead, create, and build from a place of purpose.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://perfectingprogression.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perfectingprogression?igsh=MWV0Z3A3bGd1bXg0ZQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diorjohnson?utm_source=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=member_ios
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@perfectingprogression?si=ZO85kgCaA3CJ4pU2

Image Credits

Aaron Anderson – OneGoal Media