Stay ConnectedAs High-Performers, we’re all after three things: to do it all, have it all, and feel good about it, too.
Some will say, “it’s all about “balance”, but I’ve got a different story to share with you….
This podcast is going to take you into the minds of some of the world’s Top Performers in Business, Relationships, Health, and Mindset, and
give you hands-on methods to move from feeling you’re merely managing your High Performance Life, to MASTERING it.
Copyright: © 2023
In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Tim Elmore, a leadership expert, bestselling author, and founder of Growing Leaders.
Tim has spent decades studying emerging generations and helping leaders understand how to develop the next generation. His latest book, The Future Begins with Z, challenges the way many people think about Generation Z and offers practical strategies for leading them well.
We talk about why so many leaders are frustrated with Gen Z, why every generation tends to criticize the one coming after it, and how this generation may actually be exposing what leadership has been getting wrong for decades.
This conversation is not about lowering standards. It is about learning how to lead differently.
Tim explains why Gen Z does not need to be fixed — they need to be understood, challenged, coached, and given meaningful responsibility. We also talk about parenting, technology, loneliness, faith, belonging, AI, the future of work, and why leaders need to stop managing generations and start understanding people.
About the Guest
Dr. Tim Elmore is a leadership expert, speaker, bestselling author, and founder of Growing Leaders, a nonprofit organization created to equip emerging leaders.
He spent more than 20 years working alongside leadership expert Dr. John C. Maxwell and has spoken to more than 500,000 leaders from organizations including The Home Depot, Chick-fil-A, Ford, Coca-Cola Bottlers Association, Delta Global, and major professional sports teams.
Tim is the author of 40 books, including Habitudes, Eight Paradoxes of Great Leadership, and The Future Begins with Z: Nine Strategies for Leading Generation Z as They Disrupt the Workplace.
His work focuses on generational leadership, developing young talent, and helping leaders build resilient, accountable, high-performing teams for the future.
Key Takeaways
→ Why every generation thinks the next one is going to ruin the world
→ How Gen Z may be exposing leadership problems that have existed for decades
→ Why Tim believes Gen Z is "the sandpaper on our leadership"
→ Why leaders need to turn frustration with Gen Z into fascination
→ How younger generations often see the future before established leaders do
→ Why Gen Z wants to feel heard, valued, understood, and included
→ The difference between fitting in and truly belonging
→ Why Gen Z does not need lower standards — they need better leadership
→ How leaders can balance accountability with empathy
→ Why parents and leaders may have overprotected young people physically while underprotecting them digitally
→ How technology, social media, and AI are shaping the next generation
→ Why boredom, downtime, and analog experiences still matter
→ How Gen Z is responding to loneliness by searching for deeper meaning, faith, and connection
→ Why leaders need to "play chess, not checkers" when developing young people
→ Tim's ALEG framework: Ask, Listen, Empathize, Guide
→ Why connection must come before correction
→ How leaders can prepare Gen Z to become the future leaders we need
Closing Thoughts
This conversation with Tim reminded me that it is easy to criticize the generation coming up behind us.
It is harder — and more important — to ask what they are revealing.
Gen Z is not perfect. No generation is. But they are growing up in a world that is moving faster than any generation before them. Technology, AI, social media, loneliness, pressure, and uncertainty are shaping how they see life, work, leadership, and belonging.
As leaders, parents, coaches, and mentors, our job is not to simply complain about what they lack.
Our job is to help bring out what is already there.
That means listening more. Coaching better. Holding high standards. Building real trust. Creating belonging. And guiding them with wisdom instead of just authority.
The future is not about managing generations.
It is about understanding people well enough to lead them.
In this episode, I sit down with Steve Judge, a two-time Paratriathlon World Champion, TEDx speaker, author, coach, and resilience expert.
Steve's story is one of the most powerful examples of what it means to rebuild your life after everything changes. After a near-fatal car accident left both of his legs crushed, doctors told him there was a chance he may never walk again. For many people, that kind of moment would become the end of the story. For Steve, it became the beginning of a completely new one.
We talk about what happens when life forces a reset — not just physically, but mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Steve shares what it felt like to have his identity shaken, how he rebuilt his body one painful step at a time, and why knowing your "why" becomes essential when motivation disappears.
Our conversation goes deep into resilience, identity, mental health, physical health, purpose, achievement, and the importance of building the right people around you. Steve also opens up about becoming a world champion, learning to live with no regrets, and why success is not always about winning — it is about knowing you gave everything you had.
About the Guest
Steve Judge is an award-winning motivational speaker, author, TEDx speaker, coach, and two-time Paratriathlon World Champion.
After a near-fatal car accident left both of his legs crushed and doctors uncertain whether he would ever walk again, Steve committed himself to a long and painful recovery journey. Through years of rehabilitation, discipline, and resilience, he eventually went on to become a two-time World Champion in Paratriathlon — an elite endurance sport combining swimming, cycling, and running.
Today, Steve works with leaders, teams, and organizations around the world, helping them develop resilience, purpose, performance, and well-being. Known for his authenticity, humor, and powerful storytelling, Steve helps people understand how adversity can become a catalyst for growth.
His work is rooted in lived experience, practical insight, and a powerful belief that we cannot always control what happens to us — but we can choose how we respond.
Key Takeaways
→ What happened to Steve's identity when doctors told him he may never walk again
→ Why resilience is not just about surviving hard things, but rebuilding who you are after them
→ How anger, denial, and determination became part of Steve's early recovery
→ Why knowing your "why" matters most when motivation disappears
→ The importance of doing the boring, painful, repetitive work no one sees
→ Why the right people around you — your "golden gang" — can change everything
→ How to stop comparing yourself to other people and focus on what you can do
→ Why Steve defines success as being the best you can be with no regrets
→ What becoming a world champion taught him about preparation, sacrifice, and fulfilment
→ Why mental health and physical health are deeply connected
→ How sharing what you are going through can help stop pressure from building silently
→ Why men especially need safe relationships where they can talk honestly
→ The role of recovery, injury prevention, warmups, and mental preparation in performance
→ Why your mindset is the first thing to change when you no longer want to be defined by what happened to you
→ How visualization can help you reconnect with your goal, opportunity, love, or dream
Description
In this episode, I sit down with Melissa Dawn Simkins, founder of Velvet Suite and author of Athleadership: The Elite Athletic Mindset to Lead Under Pressure and Perform When It Counts.
Melissa brings a powerful perspective on what it really takes to perform under pressure. We talk about why performance is not just about talent, confidence, or knowledge — it is about conditioning. When pressure rises, most people do not rise to the occasion. They fall back on what they have practiced.
Our conversation explores how the mindset of elite athletes can help all of us become better leaders, parents, spouses, and people. Melissa shares why leaders are not born, they are built, and why the daily drills, habits, recovery, self-talk, and uncomfortable reps are what prepare us for the moments that matter most.
We also talk about faith, family, legacy, parenting, identity, recovery, and why leadership is not just something we do at work. Leadership shows up in every part of life.
About the Guest
Melissa Dawn Simkins is an entrepreneur, speaker, author, and leadership expert who has spent over 20 years working with elite athletes, executives, and high-performing organizations.
She is the founder and CEO of Velvet Suite, a leadership and personal brand development company, and the author of Athleadership, a book focused on helping everyday leaders adopt the elite athletic mindset so they can lead under pressure and perform when it counts.
Melissa has worked with major organizations across sports, business, and leadership, including the NFL, NCAA, and FIFA. Her work focuses on mindset, performance, identity, resilience, and helping leaders become the person the moment demands.
Through Athleadership, Melissa is bringing the lessons of elite performance to leaders in every area of life — whether they have ever played a sport or not.
Key Takeaways
→ Why performance under pressure comes down to conditioning, not just talent or confidence
→ How the speed of change, AI, technology, and uncertainty are overwhelming people today
→ Why leaders need to upgrade their internal operating system
→ What elite athletes understand about practice, discipline, recovery, and preparation
→ Why the "moment before the moment" is where performance is built
→ How self-talk shapes confidence, decision-making, and leadership
→ Why confidence becomes real when you see yourself do hard things
→ The importance of getting comfortable being uncomfortable
→ Why surrender, faith, and open hands can help us release control
→ How recovery is not a luxury, but a necessary part of high performance
→ Why micro-recovery matters in the middle of intense days, meetings, and family life
→ How leaders can learn to respond instead of react
→ Why relationships, family, and legacy are all connected to leadership
→ What it means to live a legacy instead of only leaving one
→ Why leadership is not just a title — it is how we show up when life hits us
Description
In this episode, I sit down with Jane Chen, bestselling author of Like a Wave We Break and co-founder of Embrace Global, a company that developed a groundbreaking low-cost infant incubator that has impacted over 1,000,000 babies.
Jane's story is one of extraordinary impact, but also deep personal reckoning. After spending years building a company with the mission of saving premature and underweight babies around the world, Jane found herself burned out, broken, and forced to confront the trauma, identity, and inner pain she had spent much of her life outrunning.
Our conversation goes far beyond achievement. We talk about what happens when success becomes your identity, how childhood wounds can quietly shape ambition, why healing requires feeling instead of just thinking, and what it means to lead from wholeness rather than fear.
Jane shares the journey that took her from Stanford to India, from building Embrace to nearly losing herself, and eventually to Hawaii, where she began rebuilding her life around presence, compassion, surrender, and joy.
About the Guest
Jane Chen is a speaker, leadership coach, bestselling author, and co-founder and former CEO of Embrace Global.
Embrace developed a low-cost infant incubator designed to help premature and underweight babies in areas without access to traditional medical equipment. The company has now impacted over 1,000,000 babies around the world.
Jane is also the author of Like a Wave We Break, a memoir about achievement, burnout, trauma, healing, and the search for identity beyond external success. She is a TED speaker, Young Global Leader of the World Economic Forum, and has been recognized by Forbes, The Economist, Fast Company, and the World Economic Forum for her work in innovation and social impact.
Today, Jane works as a leadership coach and speaker, helping people cultivate resilience, emotional awareness, self-compassion, and conscious leadership.
Key Takeaways
→ Why achievement can become a hiding place for unresolved pain
→ How Jane's childhood trauma shaped her drive to help the most powerless people in the world
→ Why building Embrace became deeply tied to Jane's identity
→ What happens when the thing you built begins to collapse — and you no longer know who you are without it
→ Why trauma is not just something that happened in the past, but something that lives in the body and nervous system
→ Why talk therapy alone did not work for Jane, and why somatic healing became such an important part of her journey
→ How Internal Family Systems and "parts work" helped Jane understand her inner critic, overachiever, and need for control
→ Why self-compassion is often more powerful than self-improvement
→ How high performers can confuse external success with internal worth
→ Why surrender, patience, and rest are essential parts of healing
→ What it means to lead from wholeness instead of fear, ego, or control
→ How Jane now defines success through values, love, growth, service, and joy
Closing Thoughts
This conversation with Jane reminded me that success can create impact, but it cannot heal what we refuse to face.
So many high performers spend their lives building, achieving, proving, and pushing forward — only to realize that the external wins do not always quiet the internal pain.
Jane's story is powerful because she did not just build something that helped save lives. She also had to learn how to save herself from the identity, pressure, and pain that had been driving her for so long.
The lesson is not that ambition is bad. The lesson is that ambition becomes dangerous when it is disconnected from self-compassion, presence, and truth.
Real healing does not come from doing more.
It begins when we stop performing, listen to what is underneath, and finally meet ourselves with compassion.
What if high performance is not about working harder — but about building better teams?
In this episode, Scott sits down with Dr. Ron Friedman, an award-winning social psychologist, bestselling author, and expert on high-performance teams. Ron is the author of The Best Place to Work, Decoding Greatness, and his latest book, Superteams, which explores the science behind what separates elite teams from the rest.
Together, Scott and Ron break down why so many organizations confuse effort with effectiveness, why meetings often become a hidden tax on performance, and how the best teams protect their time, energy, and attention. Ron explains why most "teams" are really just groups of people working near each other — and what it actually takes to create shared goals, role clarity, and true interdependence.
They also dive into the habits of elite teams, why the best teammates make the people around them better, how leaders can make failure safer, and why performance improves when teams stop relying on constant collaboration and start designing smarter ways to work.
Key Points:
→ Why more effort can actually make teams worse → The three things every real team needs: shared goals, role clarity, and interdependence → Why the average worker loses so much time to meetings and messages → How the best teams protect focus without creating bottlenecks → Why "no decision, no meeting" can dramatically improve productivity → The one question great leaders ask: "What are you stuck on?" → Why mistakes are necessary for growth and high performance → How great teammates make everyone around them better → Why unreliable teammates are often more damaging than incompetent ones → How elite teams balance solo work with collaboration → Why time blocking, reflection, and fewer transitions help people stay focused → How teams can avoid burnout without lowering their standards
Ron's research shows that high performance is not built by doing more for longer. It is built by designing the right environment — one where people know their role, trust each other, protect their attention, and feel accountable to the team.
Because the best teams do not just get more done.
They make each other better.
Why do so many successful people achieve everything they thought they wanted… and still feel unfulfilled?
In this episode, I sit down with Paul J. Zak, one of the world's leading researchers on trust, happiness, human connection, and the neurochemistry that drives our relationships.
Paul has spent decades studying oxytocin, the biology of trust, and what actually creates happiness, resilience, and fulfillment. His research has taken him everywhere from Fortune 500 boardrooms to remote tribes around the world, uncovering a surprising truth:
The things most people chase—achievement, control, status, and success—are often not the things that create lasting happiness.
Instead, the science points toward something much simpler—and much more human.
We explore the role of relationships, purpose, emotional fitness, marriage, friendship, leadership, parenting, and why meaningful connection may be the single greatest predictor of a thriving life.
About Paul J. ZakPaul J. Zak is a neuroscientist, entrepreneur, professor, and pioneer in the field of neuroeconomics whose work focuses on trust, happiness, human connection, and performance.
Often referred to as "Dr. Love" for his groundbreaking research on oxytocin, Paul has published more than 200 scientific papers and is ranked among the world's most cited scientists. His work has transformed how leaders, organizations, and individuals understand trust, cooperation, empathy, and wellbeing.
He is the author of several bestselling books, including Trust Factor, Immersion, and The Little Book of Happiness.
Key TakeawaysWhat if Alzheimer's isn't just a matter of genetics?
What if the choices you make today could dramatically impact how your brain functions 10, 20, or even 30 years from now?
In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Majid Fotuhi, neurologist, neuroscientist, and author of The Invincible Brain, for a powerful conversation about brain health, aging, memory loss, and the practical steps we can take to build a more resilient brain.
We explore the science behind Alzheimer's disease, why genetics are only part of the story, and the lifestyle choices that have been proven to improve brain performance and reduce cognitive decline.
For anyone who has watched a loved one battle Alzheimer's—or worries about their own future—this conversation offers something incredibly valuable: hope backed by science.
About Dr. Majid FotuhiDr. Majid Fotuhi is a neurologist, neuroscientist, former faculty member at Johns Hopkins, and one of the leading voices in brain health and cognitive longevity.
For nearly four decades, he has studied memory, aging, Alzheimer's disease, and the factors that influence long-term brain performance. Through his clinical work and research, Dr. Fotuhi has helped thousands of patients improve cognitive function and better understand how lifestyle choices affect brain health.
He is the author of The Invincible Brain, which outlines practical, evidence-based strategies to strengthen the brain, reduce cognitive decline, and build resilience against Alzheimer's disease.
Key TakeawaysWhat happens when the life you worked your entire life to build… stops feeling like your life at all?
In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Emilio Galán for one of the deepest and most emotionally honest conversations we've had on the show.
After co-founding a successful healthcare startup and helping build technology used in over a million patient visits across the United States, Emilio made a radical decision: he stepped away from the traditional high-performance path and became a full-time stay-at-home dad.
But this conversation goes far beyond career pivots.
We talk about identity, masculinity, fatherhood, autoimmune disease, emotional regulation, control, fear, friendship, presence, and what it actually means to create a meaningful life — not just an impressive one.
This episode is for anyone who has ever questioned the path they're on… or felt like their body, relationships, or emotions were trying to tell them something they weren't ready to hear.
About Dr. Emilio GalánDr. Emilio Galán is a physician, entrepreneur, and stay-at-home father whose work focuses on performance, parenting, emotional regulation, and modern family life.
After studying at UCSF and UC Berkeley, Emilio co-founded Robin Healthcare — an AI-powered healthcare technology platform used in more than one million patient visits across the U.S.
Following years of startup intensity and while managing multiple autoimmune conditions, Emilio stepped away from the traditional high-performance track to focus on fatherhood, family, and building a more aligned life.
Today, he shares thoughtful and often unconventional perspectives on parenting, communication, self-regulation, and emotional health — helping high performers understand that success at home matters just as much as success at work.
Key TakeawaysWhat if the life you built… looks successful from the outside, but doesn't actually feel true on the inside?
In this episode, I sit down with Brett Kaufman for a conversation about success, identity, presence, and what it really means to build a life that feels aligned.
Brett shares his journey from banking and chasing external validation to creating one of the most ambitious community-driven development projects in the country—while quietly navigating the internal disconnect so many high performers experience.
We talk about the pressure to "look successful," the danger of building a life around achievement alone, and why so many people wake up one day realizing they've built something impressive… but still don't feel fulfilled.
This conversation goes deep into presence, relationships, personal evolution, and the courage it takes to stop living by someone else's definition of success.
If you've ever felt like you're sprinting toward a version of life that no longer feels like yours… this episode will resonate deeply.
👤 About Brett KaufmanBrett Kaufman is the founder and CEO of Kaufman Development, a Columbus-based real estate company responsible for more than $1 billion in conscious, community-driven projects focused on wellbeing, connection, and purposeful living.
His flagship project, Gravity, became one of the most recognized urban development projects in the country—designed around mental health, meditation, art, human connection, and community.
Before that success, Brett spent years in banking chasing what he believed success was supposed to look like—titles, money, appearance, and external validation—while feeling deeply disconnected internally.
Today, through his podcast Innerspace, advisory work, and coaching, Brett helps founders, executives, and creators navigate pivotal life transitions and move beyond surface-level success toward a life that feels more aligned, authentic, and meaningful.
🔑 Key TakeawaysWhat if your exhaustion, your brain fog, your anxiety, and even your relationship struggles…
Weren't just mental or emotional problems... But actually connected to the way your brain is processing vision?
In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Meenal Agarwal for one of the most eye-opening conversations we've ever had on the show.
We talk about the connection between screens, spatial awareness, brain performance, emotional regulation, relationships, and cognitive decline—and honestly, it changed the way I think about modern life.
Dr. Agarwal explains why vision is about far more than eyesight, how our screen-heavy world is quietly reshaping the brain, and why so many kids and adults are struggling with focus, overwhelm, anxiety, disconnection, and burnout without realizing what's actually happening underneath the surface.
This episode is practical, powerful, and honestly a wake-up call.
About Dr. Meenal AgarwalDr. Meenal Agarwal is a board-certified optometrist, spatial awareness expert, and leading authority on the eye-brain connection.
She is known for redefining vision as a gateway to cognition, longevity, emotional regulation, and overall well-being.
Dr. Agarwal takes a holistic, root-cause approach to eye health, integrating optometry, neuroscience, and lifestyle medicine to explore how visual function impacts mental clarity, focus, performance, and long-term brain health.
She coined the term Spatial Awareness Processing Disorder (SAPD) to describe how screen-heavy modern lifestyles disrupt the brain's ability to process space, movement, balance, and social awareness.
She is also the host of the podcast Uncover Your Eyes: The Truth About Health & Wellness and the author of the upcoming book Stuck in a Flat World: How Screens Rewire Our Brains, Spatial Awareness, and Sense of Safety.
Key Takeaways *]:pointer-events-auto [content-visibility:auto] supports-[content-visibility:auto]:[contain-intrinsic-size:auto_100lvh] R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(--scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(--thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" data-turn-id= "request-699d50d1-ba48-832a-b2d7-87164e604d23-4" data-turn-id-container= "request-699d50d1-ba48-832a-b2d7-87164e604d23-4" data-testid= "conversation-turn-40" data-scroll-anchor="false" data-turn= "assistant">What if the version of you that succeeds at work… is the exact version of you that's hurting your relationships at home?
In this episode, I sit down with Dr. D. Ivan Young to unpack something I think a lot of high-performing men struggle with:
You can dominate in your career… But still feel disconnected in your marriage, your family, and your life.
We talk about what it really means to "leave work at the door," why so many men stay stuck in survival mode without realizing it, and how our upbringing quietly shapes how we show up decades later.
We also go deep into parenting, emotional presence, generational blind spots, and the small daily behaviors that either build connection, or slowly break it down.
If you've ever felt like you're doing everything right… But something still feels off at home—this conversation will challenge you in the best way.
👤 About Dr. D. Ivan YoungDr. D. Ivan Young is one of the most credentialed coaches in the world—an ICF Master Certified Coach, behavioral neuroscience expert, TEDx speaker, and Professional Fellow at the Institute of Coaching, a Harvard Medical School affiliate.
Known as the "Reality Check Doctor," he has spent over a decade working with high-net-worth individuals, Fortune 100 executives, professional athletes, and entrepreneurs—helping them break toxic cycles, reclaim their identity, and lead with emotional intelligence.
He is the author of multiple bestselling books, including Leading from the Heart, which introduces his Generational Blind Spots framework—exploring how inherited beliefs and early-life experiences shape leadership, relationships, and personal growth.
Key TakeawaysWhat if the biggest thing holding you back… is something you're trying to hide?
In this episode, I sit down with Tyler Dickerhoof to unpack what's really going on beneath the surface for high-performing men.
We talk about insecurity—not in a surface-level way—but the kind that shows up in how we lead, how we communicate, and how we show up in our relationships.
Because the truth is… a lot of us are playing a role.
We're showing up as who we think we're supposed to be—instead of actually being who we are.
Tyler breaks down why that happens, how it impacts every area of life, and what it actually takes to start showing up with more clarity, confidence, and authenticity.
If you've ever felt like you're capable of more… but something keeps getting in the way—this conversation will help you understand what that "something" really is.
About Tyler DickerhoofTyler Dickerhoof is a leadership mentor, speaker, author, and founder of Impact Driven Leader.
With more than 20 years of leadership and business experience, Tyler works with entrepreneurs, executives, and high-performing leaders to help them lead with greater self-awareness, authenticity, and emotional honesty.
He is the author of The Things We Hide, a book that explores the fears, insecurities, and unseen beliefs that often sit beneath performance, leadership, and personal growth.
Through his coaching, speaking, and content, Tyler helps leaders move beyond surface-level success and build a life rooted in clarity, courage, and meaningful impact.
Key TakeawaysIn this episode, I sit down with Paul Hutchinson to talk about a reality most people don't want to face… but absolutely need to understand.
We go deep into human trafficking, the systems behind it, and what's actually driving the demand.
But what impacted me most wasn't just the missions, the rescues, or even the stories…
It was the deeper conversation around healing, responsibility, and how brokenness—left unaddressed—spreads.
We talk about how success without alignment can quietly destroy your life, why so many men are living disconnected from their families, and how the things we ignore today can show up in ways we never intended tomorrow.
This episode isn't just about awareness.
It's about taking a hard look in the mirror.
About Paul HutchinsonPaul Hutchinson is an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and humanitarian known for his work in combating human trafficking and helping to liberate children around the world.
He is a co-founder of a multibillion-dollar investment firm and the primary investor and executive producer behind The Sound of Freedom—a film that has reached tens of millions of people globally and brought unprecedented awareness to child trafficking.
Over the past decade, Paul has participated in and led over 70 undercover rescue missions across 15 countries, helping rescue thousands of children and supporting ongoing prevention efforts.
He is also the founder of the Child Liberation Foundation and is deeply involved in initiatives focused not just on rescue—but on healing trauma, addressing root causes, and creating long-term change.
Key TakeawaysOne of the most powerful ideas from this episode:
"Hurt people hurt people."
But if that's true… then healing people change everything.
This isn't just about stopping bad actors.
It's about understanding what creates them in the first place—and breaking that cycle before it spreads.
Most people think longevity is about supplements, biohacking, and trying to "beat aging."
But what if we've been thinking about it completely wrong?
In this episode, I sit down with Sue Hitzmann to unpack what actually drives long-term health, pain-free movement, and real vitality.
We go deep into the body's hidden system—fascia—and why it may be the missing link behind chronic pain, stiffness, stress, and even how you age.
But this conversation goes far beyond the physical.
We talk about presence, relationships, emotional health, and why the people who live the longest often aren't doing anything extreme… they're just deeply connected and fully engaged in life.
If you've ever felt stiff, tired, disconnected, or like your body is breaking down faster than it should…
this episode will completely reframe how you think about your health.
About This EpisodeIn this conversation, I sit down with Sue Hitzmann—an internationally recognized fascia educator, manual therapist, and creator of the MELT Method.
Sue has spent decades studying how the body actually heals, helping people reduce chronic pain, improve mobility, and restore their nervous systems through simple, daily self-care practices.
Together, we explore the science of fascia, the failures of modern healthcare, and how small, intentional habits can radically change how you feel in your body—and how you experience your life.
Key TakeawaysMost people treat the body like a machine.
Fix the symptom. Take the pill. Move on.
But your body isn't mechanical... It's biological, emotional, and adaptive.
And when you ignore the signals... They don't go away.
They get louder. Click here to learn more about Sue: https://suehitzmann.com/
This episode is a little different.
Instead of me asking the questions… I'm the one in the hot seat.
I sit down with longtime friend and creative partner Cheryl Tan—someone who's seen the journey up close for nearly a decade—to unpack the real story behind the show, the LIFE framework, and the seasons of life we don't talk about enough.
We go deep into what it actually looks like to build something meaningful while navigating family, business, overwhelm, and identity shifts—especially in this stage of life.
We talk about empty nesting, marriage, regret, curiosity, and why most people feel busy… but still disconnected.
And maybe most importantly—how to design a life that actually feels like your own.
If you've ever felt like life is moving fast… Or you're building something but not sure it's aligned…
This conversation will hit!
🔑 Key TakeawaysWhat if the reason you still feel stuck… has nothing to do with your effort, and everything to do with where you're building from?
In this episode, I sit down with Keyen Lage—former NFL athlete turned high-performance coach—to unpack why so many successful people still struggle with self-belief, fulfillment, and direction.
We go deep into something I think a lot of people miss: the difference between building a life from your head… vs your heart.
Keyen shares his journey from reaching the NFL to having that identity stripped away—and how that forced him to rebuild from a completely different place.
We also talk about curiosity, faith, risk, and why some of the biggest breakthroughs in life don't come from a plan… but from being willing to follow something you don't fully understand yet.
If you've ever felt like you're doing all the right things but still feel disconnected… this conversation will challenge how you think about success, purpose, and what it actually means to be aligned.
About Keyen LageKeyen Lage is a high-performance coach for ambitious men and a former NFL athlete whose career was cut short by a neck injury.
After reaching the pinnacle of professional sport, he was forced to rebuild his life from scratch—shifting his focus toward emotional alignment, relationships, and long-term fulfillment.
Over the past seven years, he has built a multi six-figure coaching business, working with Silicon Valley entrepreneurs, professional athletes, and high-level creators.
His work centers on helping men eliminate self-sabotage, lead with emotional clarity, and understand masculine–feminine dynamics so they can experience both external success and internal fulfillment.
Blending performance psychology with emotional depth, Keyen teaches that true leadership and resilience are not forced—they are the byproduct of alignment.
Key TakeawaysWhat if the biggest breakdowns in your relationships… aren't about what you're saying— but how you're saying it?
In this episode, I sit down with Betsy Butterick—"The Coaches' Coach" to unpack the communication habits that quietly shape every relationship in our lives.
We talk about the gap between what we intend to say and how it's actually received—and why so many conversations break down before they even have a chance to succeed.
Betsy shares practical, real-world tools that can immediately improve how you communicate—whether you're leading a team, raising a family, or navigating everyday relationships.
If you've ever felt misunderstood… or struggled to communicate clearly with the people closest to you, this conversation will challenge the way you think about connection.
About Betsy ButterickBetsy Butterick is known as "The Coaches' Coach"—a communication specialist who helps individuals and teams build stronger relationships through more effective communication.
As a former coach, she understands that "chemistry" isn't random—it's something that is built through intentional connection, with communication at its core.
In her work, Betsy meets people where they are and helps them improve how they communicate, collaborate, and lead. She brings a professional, playful, and people-centric approach to learning and development.
A lifelong athlete and former collegiate basketball player, Betsy applies a high-performance mindset to her work—helping individuals and teams create meaningful change through small, consistent shifts.
Key TakeawaysIn this episode, I am joined by ADHD coach and podcast host Kristen Carder! Kirsten's mission is to unpack what ADHD really looks like in adulthood, and why so many people grow up believing they're lazy, disorganized, or broken when the reality is far more complex.
Today, Kristen shares her own journey from struggling to find her purpose to building one of the most recognized podcasts and coaching communities for adults with ADHD. Together, they explore the everyday realities of living with ADHD—from time blindness and overcommitment to creativity, relationships, and parenting.
They also dive into why ADHD often goes undiagnosed for decades—especially for women—and how understanding your brain can transform the way you see yourself, your relationships, and your potential.
If you've ever felt like you're capable of so much more but can't quite figure out why certain parts of life feel harder than they should… this conversation may help connect the dots.
About Kristen CarderKristen Carder is a multi-certified life coach, educator, and host of the I Have ADHD Podcast, which has reached millions of listeners around the world.
After years of tutoring students who struggled in school, Kristen began noticing a pattern: many of the families she worked with were navigating ADHD—but there were almost no resources available for adults trying to understand their own brains.
That realization led her to launch the I Have ADHD Podcast in 2018, which quickly grew into a global platform supporting adults with ADHD through education, coaching, and community.
Kristen now leads the Focused coaching program and helps thousands of adults better understand their ADHD, regulate their emotions, and build lives that work for the way their brains are wired.
Her work centers around helping people break free from shame, self-criticism, and the belief that they're simply "not trying hard enough."
Key TakeawaysWhy ADHD is often misunderstood as laziness or lack of discipline
How ADHD brains are driven by interest, urgency, and novelty—not traditional motivation
The concept of "time blindness" and why people with ADHD struggle with deadlines and lateness
Why ADHD often runs in families and can become normalized across generations
How ADHD can impact relationships when partners feel like managers or parents
Why understanding your strengths—and designing life around them—is key to thriving with ADHD
The connection between ADHD, emotional regulation, and childhood experiences
After 45 years of helping families, couples, and individuals, Dr. Larry Waldman has seen the same patterns repeat themselves again and again.
Fear of failure. Avoiding help. Self-sabotage. And the powerful ways childhood shapes the adults we become.
In this conversation, Dr. Waldman shares lessons from nearly half a century in clinical psychology, working with marriages on the brink, struggling parents, high performers battling imposter syndrome, and individuals trying to break free from the stories they tell themselves.
We talk about why people resist getting help even when they desperately need it, how early childhood experiences quietly shape our mindset for decades, and why fear of failure keeps so many people stuck in careers, relationships, and situations they know aren't right.
Dr. Waldman also shares deeply personal reflections about his own upbringing, his father's struggles in business, and the lessons that shaped his life and career.
This episode is full of practical wisdom about parenting, relationships, personal responsibility, and the mindset shifts that allow people to move forward, even when life feels uncertain.
About Dr. Larry WaldmanDr. Larry F. Waldman, Ph.D., ABPP is a Phoenix, Arizona licensed clinical and forensic psychologist who recently became semi-retired after a 45-year private practice.
Over the course of his career, he worked with children, teens, parents, couples, and adults, and consulted with attorneys in areas including family law, personal injury, immigration, and estate planning—all while navigating the life of a successful entrepreneur and raising two sons.
He earned degrees from the University of Wisconsin and the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, completed his Ph.D. at Arizona State University, and received Diplomate status (ABPP) in 2003.
Dr. Waldman has served in leadership and advisory roles across the profession, including:
Past President of the Maricopa Psychological Society
Director of Psychological Services at Charter Psychiatric Hospital of Glendale
Adjunct graduate professor in counseling
He is also certified as an ACE senior fitness specialist and a certified yoga instructor.
Dr. Waldman is the author of eight books and a seasoned speaker who brings practical, engaging "edutainment" to topics like parenting, marriage, stress, business psychology, and personal development.
🔑 Key TakeawaysWhy many people still avoid seeking mental health help—even when they clearly need it
The stigma around mental health and how it prevents people from improving their lives
The fine line between coaching and therapy—and why having someone to talk to is critical for growth
Why imposter syndrome and fear of failure often hold people back in their careers
How childhood experiences and parenting styles shape confidence, resilience, and independence
The powerful role parents play in shaping their children through everyday behavior—not just words
Why trying—even when you fail—is always better than staying stuck in fear
In this week's episode, I am joined by Light Watkins! Light Watkins is a bestselling author, speaker, podcast host, and mindfulness expert focused on helping people create presence and fulfillment "from the inside out."
He's the author of five books, including Bliss More, Travel Light, and his newest, The Year You Transform, which introduces his "Tortoise Approach to Change"—building lasting change through small, 7-day commitments.
He also leads an online community called The Happiness Insiders, has spoken for Fortune 500 companies, and has led workshops around the world.
Key TakeawaysWhy success without inner work leads to emptiness
The difference between being "on" vs being your authentic self
How discomfort is the gateway to presence and growth
Why most people sabotage fulfillment by chasing big changes
The "No Complaining" challengeand why it's harder than you think
The Tortoise Approach: small, consistent habits that actually transform your life
02:46 – What it really means to be your "true self"
"Being your true self is who you would be if you didn't care so much about what other people thought about you… and if you were focused on making a difference."
05:57 – The real goal: presence, not success
"Most people ultimately want to feel connected… fulfilled… like their life matters. And the umbrella term for all of that is presence."
06:30 – Why discomfort is necessary
"In order to get to that state of presence, we need to inoculate ourselves with some discomfort."
"A lot of the most uncomfortable moments in your life were actually the most profound ones."
08:24 – Why we resist growth in our own lives
"We love the drama and growth in movies… but we reject it when it happens in our own life."
11:54 – You don't need to change your environment
"You don't need to go across the world to have that experience—you can bring that experience to where you are."
13:48 – The moment success didn't fulfill him
"I saw myself on a billboard in Times Square… and I realized, it didn't really make me feel that different inside."
16:34 – The lie we're sold about success
"The sense of fulfillment that I thought was going to come from that… didn't come."
18:47 – Where fulfillment actually comes from
"The goodness we're looking for… is really in the small moments."
30:33 – The power of shifting from frustration to gratitude
"I went from frustration to appreciation… and that moment stayed with me for years."
34:44 – The hardest habit: no complaining
"Seven days without complaining… almost everyone takes longer than seven days to do it."
"What you realize is—you're surrounded by complainers, because it's how we bond."
36:40 – The 3 paths to change
"The first path is 'Eat, Pray, Love'—blow your life up… and that rarely works the way people think."
38:36 – Why people break under pressure
"That breaking point didn't happen in two seconds—it was building for years."
40:25 – The Tortoise Approach to transformation
"You want to optimize for consistency… not intensity."
"There's no graduation date—you just keep showing up."
44:52 – Success vs fulfillment
"You're not going to be more fulfilled just because you get to the money faster."
47:36 – The uncomfortable truth
"Here's how you know you're the problem… you think they're the problem."
49:37 – Where change actually starts
"If you're the problem… you also have the solution.
In this week's episode, I am joined by Michael Easter! Michael Easter is a bestselling author, journalist, and professor whose work explores the intersection of performance, health, and modern life. He is the author of The Comfort Crisis, a New York Times bestseller credited with helping popularize rucking—walking with added weight—as a powerful tool for physical and mental resilience.
His latest book, WALK WITH WEIGHT: The Definitive Guide to Rucking (Feb 2026), blends science, evolutionary history, and practical guidance to show how one of the most fundamental human movements can dramatically improve strength, endurance, mood, and longevity. Named "The Workout of 2024" by GQ, rucking has been embraced by leading voices in health and performance.
Michael's work challenges the modern obsession with comfort and aesthetics, advocating instead for sustainable, functional habits that build real resilience—physically and mentally.
Key Takeaways
-Most people don't struggle from lack of knowledge—they struggle from choosing comfort over action
- The "2% mindset": why only a small percentage choose the harder (but better) path
- Simple, ancient behaviors (like walking, being outdoors, and community) still outperform complex routines
- Why "perfect" health optimization often backfires—and what actually works long-term
- How small daily decisions (like taking the stairs) compound into massive life changes
- Why rucking (walking with weight) may be the highest ROI habit for strength, endurance, and longevity
Best Moments
00:00 – Why modern life is engineered for comfort (and why that's a problem)
03:00 – We've never had more health information… so why are we worse off?
07:03 – "Don't let perfect be the enemy of good enough"
08:58 – How comfort is quietly damaging our relationships
10:14 – The 2% mindset: choosing discomfort for long-term gain
18:58 – Why small habits (like stairs) create massive long-term change
21:03 – The real secret to building consistency (just start)
23:21 – Why rucking is one of the highest ROI habits you can do
27:41 – How to stack habits into your daily life without extra time
Amy Leneker is an optimistic, joy-seeking, recovering workaholic—and a leadership consultant with more than 25 years of experience, including a decade in the C-suite.
Over the course of her career, she has helped more than 100,000 leaders, teams, and organizations—from Fortune 100 companies to the public sector—thrive at work through keynotes, coaching, and training centered on less stress and more joy.
A first-generation college student, Amy earned both her undergraduate and graduate degrees while working full-time and later raising a family.
She has studied leadership at Yale, neuroscience through the NeuroLeadership Institute, and stress resilience at Harvard Medical School. Her work and insights have been featured in outlets such as Fast Company, Inc., and CEOWORLD Magazine.
Amy is the author of Cheers to Monday: The Surprisingly Simple Method to Lead and Live with Less Stress and More Joy (Wiley, March 24, 2026).
In her work, she helps leaders understand what real joy actually is—defining it as the intersection of meaning at work, feeling that we matter in relationships, and purpose in what we do. Key Points
• Burnout signs often overlooked
• Why work addiction gets rewarded
• The journey from stress to joy
• The importance of self-care
• Resetting work-life balance
Best Quotes 03:29 - 03:42
• "It was awful, and it was, I often say that I burnt out in a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad way. It was the worst, one of the worst experiences of my life."
05:32 - 05:46
• "I started my own company thinking I was gonna be a, a, a modern CEOA burnout free CEO. And two years later, I found myself in the exact same spot. So that's when the real reckoning began, which is what is driving this."
05:46 - 05:50
• "This isn't about external forces, this is about me." 23:00 - 23:23
• "The problem was me. So I, I took myself wherever I went, and it was such a, a wild awakening and not in a great way. So I had been looking at this wellness retreat for years... So I just took it. I didn't even check with my husband because I knew that anything that made me less, like I was in that moment, he was gonna say, I'm in. I'm all in."
24:30 - 24:38
• "It wasn't an external demand that was causing me so much pain, it wasn't an external demand that was making me a workaholic."
25:26 - 25:31
• "The number one shame trigger at work is the fear of irrelevance."
In this week's episode, I am joined by Ashley Herd! Ashley Herd is a former Chief People Officer and General Counsel, leadership speaker, and podcast host who has trained more than 250,000 managers through LinkedIn Learning and live corporate programs.
Throughout her career, she has helped professionals navigate leadership challenges with greater clarity and confidence, translating complex workplace dynamics into practical tools leaders can actually use.
After leading HR and Legal teams at McKinsey, Yum! Brands, and Modern Luxury, Ashley founded Manager Method to bring better management training to organizations of all sizes.
She is a top LinkedIn Learning instructor and co-host of the HR Besties podcast. As CEO of Manager Method, Ashley equips managers with proven frameworks that strengthen accountability, communication, and team performance—because better managers build better workplaces.
Her forthcoming book, The Manager Method (Feb 10, 2026), delivers a simple, repeatable approach for real-world leadership moments—hiring, feedback, conflict, and leading through change—grounded in her signature Pause–Consider–Act framework.
Key Points
• Culture is shaped by direct managers.
• High performers can face accidental punishment.
• Leadership involves feedback, conflict, and change.
• "Pause, consider, act" enhances management.
• A 60-second reset makes tough conversations easier.
Best Quotes
03:15 - 03:25
• "I say to people often, it's hard to have this company culture. There's often manager cultures. If you're gonna look at Glassdoor for example, I mean, I've done this at places I've worked, and I will look at Glassdoor and I will see comments."
04:43 - 05:00
• "Well, you know, what's, what's kind of funny to that point? Such a great point. And what I, what I find is the bigger an organization gets, the harder culture becomes at a, at a grander scale. The the, and to your point, the more micro it becomes, who is, who is directly responsible for you?"
07:58 - 08:10
• "I remember my first day of my corporate job or my first week I was, I was doing in sales, I did this before I went to law school. I was cold calling chief financial officers for the like fortune 1000 Chief financial officers."
18:21 - 18:36
• "Because one thing I say is, as a leader, something that's important to know is nobody on your team should feel like they have to share things about them, especially personal things. But too often people feel afraid to share the real parts of, of themselves and their lives outside of work."
Learn more about Ashley's book "Manager Method", click here: https://www.managermethod.com/book
In this week's episode, I am joined by Tim Packer! Tim is a celebrated Canadian artist and former police detective who walked away from a stable career to pursue a lifelong creative calling.
Since making that leap, he has built a thriving, multi-million-dollar art business—selling original works, self-publishing prints, and running a top-tier online art academy that has helped thousands of artists grow both creatively and professionally.
Through the Tim Packer Art Academy and his upcoming book, You Can Sell Your Art, Tim teaches artists how to master not only the creative side of their craft, but also the business fundamentals required for long-term success.
Passionate about demystifying the art world, he challenges the myth that success is reserved for the "naturally talented," breaking down what actually works, what doesn't, and how artists can build sustainable careers doing what they love.
Key Points
• Growth mindset unlocked art career success.
• Talent grows; it's not just bestowed.
• Overcome fear and step into uncertainty.
• Your potential talent is virtually limitless.
• Impactful art goes beyond "good enough."
Best Quotes 03:46 - 03:53
• "And as soon as I kind of came across the idea of the growth mindset, I thought, first of all, I thought, I don't really believe this."
04:48
• "And then January of 2000, I quit my job, walked away from my pension, and started my life as a full-time artist." 06:30 - 06:47
• "The very first thing you have to change is your mindset and the idea that you are not limited by the skills, competencies, whatever you have now, that you can improve on anything and that your potential talent is really unlimited."
09:17 - 09:27
• "It takes courage because you have to be okay with the uncertainty that comes about. Because a lot of the times, the choices you're making, they're not the logical, safe choices."
10:02 - 10:09
• "I mean, for me, I was, I was making my best year ever. I made like $280,000 from the sale of my art." 11:26 - 11:36
• "You have to have the courage that things might fail, but you also need to be smart about taking risks where failure's not gonna take you out of the game."
19:44 - 19:49
• "Once you have enough money to live the life you're comfortable with, well more money is just zeros in your Bank account."
23:18 - 23:29
• "If the more people that love your work and love it to the degree they actually make poor choices financially when they shouldn't be buying your work and they actually spend money on it. 'Cause they just have to have it."
40:08 - 40:13
• "Frustration comes about when the, what happens in reality doesn't meet our expectations."
Baya Voce is a relationship repair expert who helps couples rebuild connection when communication has broken down and loneliness has taken hold.
With a Master of Social Work from Columbia University and advanced training in Relational Life Therapy under Terry Real, she combines evidence-based therapeutic approaches with the clarity, practicality, and directness of coaching.
In addition to her clinical and coaching work, Baya collaborates with Rick Doblin and MAPS, alongside Columbia University, on research exploring MDMA-assisted couples therapy and its potential to deepen relational connection.
Her TEDx talk on loneliness—viewed more than five million times—highlights the often-unspoken emotional cost of disconnection in modern relationships.
Based in Austin, Texas, Baya works with couples seeking reconnection, greater clarity, or even a respectful separation, grounded in her core belief that genuine repair is the most powerful antidote to loneliness.
Key Points
• Impact of phones on relationship intimacy
• Translation of complaints to growth opportunities
• Relational loneliness vs. solitary loneliness
• Enlightened self-interest in partnerships
• Shifting from "fixing" to self-evolving within conflict Best Quotes
17:34 - 17:42
• "What are the understanding, what are the relationship needs, which are gonna be very different than your individual preferences."
22:03 - 22:10
• "Maybe I wanna be more independent. I wanna feel actually like I can handle the tension of differentiation."
23:34 - 23:43
• "But how, how I look back on the giving is that I'm so all on all the time that as I've gotten older..."
48:46 - 48:50
• "When two people can come into couples therapy and be like, here's the thing that's really hard for me."
51:18 - 51:23
• "We have a culture where phones are a, are a, they're like a third pillar in our relationships."
Dr. Aaron Hartman, MD is a board-certified Family Medicine physician, an Institute for Functional Medicine Certified Practitioner (IFMCP), and the founder of Richmond Integrative & Functional Medicine (RIFM).
A Virginia native, he completed his medical training at Virginia Commonwealth University and the Medical College of Virginia, finishing his Family Medicine residency at MCV.
He later earned advanced credentials in Integrative, Holistic, and Functional Medicine through the American Board of Integrative and Holistic Medicine, the American Board of Physician Specialties, and the Institute for Functional Medicine.
Dr. Hartman also served as a Major in the U.S. Air Force, holding leadership roles including Clinic Director and Medical Director, with assignments that included Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany.
In addition to founding the Virginia Research Center, he has participated in numerous clinical trials—contributing to research published in The Lancet—and has served as an Assistant Clinical Professor at the VCU School of Medicine since 2011.
He is the author of UnCurable, a deeply personal account of his adopted daughter Anna, who was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and given a bleak prognosis.
Through her story, Dr. Hartman introduces what he describes as a "hidden revolution" in functional medicine, challenging conventional assumptions about what is possible in health and healing.
Key Points
• Healthcare's blind spots exposed
• The impact of diet on health discussed
• Personal stories of medical defiance
• The role of self-advocacy in health
• Importance of foundational health practices
Best Quotes
03:52 - 04:00
• "You'll get referred to five specialists to get five different diagnoses, six different medications, three surgery recommendations, and leave, having no idea what's going on."
08:53 - 08:56
• "The experts don't know and they don't know what they don't know."
09:07 - 09:11
• "I call these blind spots. These are things that, that we think to be true though just aren't true."
20:00 - 20:06
• "My journey with my family was I'm this typical doctor, academic minded, you know, above average intelligence, hard worker."
24:45 - 24:52
• "The book, we talked about this, but my, my admonition is the people is don't accept the standard of care, don't accept status quo."
In this week's episode, I am joined by Anthony Abbagnano!
Anthony is the founder of Alchemy of Breath, a globally recognized breathwork community that has helped thousands of people reclaim their power through the transformative practice of conscious breathing.
His personal journey, shared in his book, details how he overcame profound challenges through breathwork and mindfulness, ultimately leading him to create a life rooted in purpose, balance, and service.
A pioneer in the digital breathwork space, Anthony was the first to bring breathwork online.
He serves as curator for online breathwork on the board of the Global Professional Breathwork Alliance (GPBA) and holds a faculty position with the Shift Network.
His Breathe the World online breathwork sessions draw hundreds of participants each week and support a growing global community of more than 170,000 people.
Anthony has spoken alongside leading voices in personal growth and wellness, including Deepak Chopra, Marianne Williamson, Bruce Lipton, Peter Levine, Alex Howard, Wim Hof, and Fleet Maull, further solidifying his role as a trusted guide in the global breathwork movement.
Key Points
• One breath studied equals a lifetime learned
• Inner calm is attainable in outer chaos
• Mastery vs. Mystery in life's journey
• The transforming power of acknowledgment
• Survival instincts can reside with success
Best Quotes
02:31 - 02:50
• "I contracted an illness and I'd already left behind my work. I had a very successful company in Italy where I was working with architecture and had about 300 people working for me, restoring buildings and finding beautiful old buildings for English and American people."
03:07 - 03:17
• "So I spent time in Asia. I left the company to run on its own, had it kind of sorted and went to Asia."
08:07 - 08:16
• "And so I didn't know it was gonna be a breakthrough. I thought this was the end in all the forms it could possibly show itself."
39:12 - 39:26
• "We use control to tell you what to do, to tell each other better ways to criticize each other, to make people more like us, to, to, to feel better by pointing out someone else's problem problems."
50:10 - 50:16
• "So there's something about restoring choice that needs to happen for someone to get traction."
In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Sunita Sah!
Sunita is a Cornell professor, former physician, and one of the world's leading experts on compliance and defiance.
Dr. Sunita Sah is a national bestselling author, award-winning professor at Cornell University, and expert in organizational psychology.
She is a former physician and management consultant whose research focuses on influence, authority, compliance, and defiance.
Her work has appeared in The New York Times, Harvard Business Review, and Scientific American, among others.
Her book, Defy: The Power of No in a World That Demands Yes, explores how to reclaim agency and speak up when it matters.
The paperback edition, How to Speak Up When It Matters, releases February 24, 2026. Key Takeaways
Why we've misunderstood the word defy
The hidden cost of always saying yes
Compliance vs. true consent
What "false defiance" looks like
The five elements of a true yes or no
How to teach kids (and ourselves) to say no without confrontation
Clifford Stephan is the founder of Booze Vacation, a health and wellness company created for high-performing men who want to elevate their lives and careers by leveraging the benefits of taking a strategic break from alcohol.
He is also the founder of OneCompensation, a successful Bay Area compensation consulting firm that has helped Silicon Valley companies—including Google, LinkedIn, Kaiser Permanente, and Motorola Mobility—attract, engage, and retain top talent.
In his mid-40s, Clifford realized that his regular, "semi-responsible" drinking was quietly undermining his health and long-term potential.
He chose to take a year-long break from alcohol—what he called a "booze vacation."
That decision reset both his body and his relationship with drinking, ultimately inspiring him to create Booze Vacation so other men could take a structured break, reclaim their health, and expand their professional capacity.
Clifford holds a B.S. in Nutritional Science from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, has completed more than a dozen long-course triathlons, and is determined to "kick ass and take names" well into his 80s and beyond.
Key Points
• Booze breaks can upgrade your baseline
• Wearables expose alcohol's impact on health
• Breaks from alcohol can recalibrate cravings
• Sleep, fitness, and mood improve sans alcohol • Life clarity and enhanced performance without alcohol
• Clifford's Booze Vacation concept explained
Best Quotes
01:45 - 01:58
• "Yeah, in short, scratching my own itch and yeah, I don't like the term cutting. It sounds kind of, you know, negative, harsh, we, we use in term taking an extended vacation from drinking."
02:54 - 03:03
• "I had, I had got sleep apnea, which was a pretty, pretty bad about that. And yeah, just wasn't feeling my best."
05:30 - 05:49
• "I think that when I started wearing the whoop in 2019, it was probably one of the most eye-opening things that I had done because I, I've worn it consecutively for many years now, and you can tell really quickly what alcohol does to your body."
07:58 - 08:06
• "It's a kind of a lifetime lifestyle experiment. And especially men of success. I think it's important that if you make it to the mountain top, you wanna stay there and enjoy it as long as possible."
10:41 - 10:51
• "You're gonna need more, it's gonna be harder on your aging body and you're gonna find yourself continually in lowered and lower states and, and, and kicking the crap outta yourself a lot faster."
Andrew Brodsky is an award-winning professor, management consultant, and virtual communications expert at the McCombs School of Business at The University of Texas at Austin.
Recognized by Poets&Quants as one of the "World's 40 Best Business School Professors Under 40," Andrew is widely regarded for his work at the intersection of workplace technology, communication, and productivity.
He also serves as the CEO of Ping Group, where he helps organizations improve how people connect and perform in modern, digitally driven workplaces.
Andrew earned a Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior from Harvard Business School and a B.S. from The Wharton School. He currently lives in Austin with his wife and two rescue dogs.
Key Points
• Crafting Effective Virtual Messages
• Enhancing Trust in Digital Relationships
• Pros & Cons of Remote Communication
• Leveraging AI for Productivity
• Personal Anecdotes & Communication Research
Best Quotes 03:49 - 03:56
• "The old way of the office was if you had a question, you'd go to your coworkers' cubicle or office and ask them."
05:10 - 05:15
• "I was left with an immune deficiency. So I'm often having to communicate with others from a distance."
05:42 - 05:58
• "And if you show up and you have the right energy and you, you're, you're animated, you're, you're empathetically listening, you know, there's so many things and some people, you know, this thing just draws them down like immediately you're on the computer and, and they're shutting down and they're getting uncomfortable."
17:23 - 17:39
• "One of a good example of this is research on the email urgency bias where basically these researchers found that when people receive an email, they ex they think the sender wants a response a lot more quickly than they actually do."
In this week's episode I am joined by my good friend Stephen Drum!
During his 27 years of service, he developed and led high-performance teams in combat at every level and in the most challenging and extreme environments.
Stephen was a principal architect and co-creator of the US Navy's Warrior Toughness Program.
Stephen is a professional speaker, trainer and author, helping leaders and teams optimize their performance and execution in challenging and high-pressure situations.
Key Points
• Grasp leadership in high-stress roles
• Parenting: Kids, sports & life lessons
• Embrace life's imperfect moments
• The power of maintaining friendships
• Navigating transitions as families grow
Andrew Herr is the Founder of FlyKitt, a breakthrough travel protocol designed for high performers—from the battlefield to the boardroom—who need to function at peak capacity no matter the conditions.
Whether leading teams, competing at elite levels, or making mission-critical decisions, showing up sharp after a flight is essential. Yet among the 10 million+ people who travel every day, few understand the toll flying takes on the body. Jet lag, inflammation, dehydration, gut issues, joint pain, poor metabolism, and brain fog are real, long-lasting risks that quietly erode performance.
FlyKitt is changing that.
Used by elite special operations forces, Navy SEALs, Fortune 500 executives, and professional athletes in the NBA, NFL, and Olympics, the system is built on more than 1,000 experiments aimed at neutralizing travel stress and protecting performance. Its data-driven supplement and timing protocol has shown a 94% reduction in travel symptoms, with 85% of users reporting improved circadian rhythm alignment.
Andrew's innovation stems from his career leading human performance efforts for the U.S. military, where he specialized in optimizing warfighters to perform under extreme pressure. He's also tested his limits personally, completing the Spartan Ultra World Championship in Iceland's brutal winter—twice.
Key Points
• Inflammation can lower your immune defense.
• Discover how to biohack jet lag.
• Tips on diet and sleep for travelers.
• Techniques to maintain high performance.
• Prevent travel burnout with Fly Kit.
Best Quotes
08:16 - 08:23
• "You're getting flavors of decompression and altitude sickness because of the rapidity with which this is happening."
08:41 - 08:46
• "What I'm saying is the inflammation plus the circadian shift is why jet lag is so bad."
09:37 - 09:52
• "All these things are, you know, gut inflammation we know causes these things. Brain fog. We know that when we're inflamed the actual immune cells and these cytokines, immune compounds transit into the brain and change the way the brain metabolizes energy so you feel more tired."
09:53 - 10:04
• "So all these things are secondary to this flight induced inflammation. And then if you have circadian shifts on top of it and you're flying long distance, then it prevents you from resetting your circadian rhythm."
14:11 - 14:23
• "The air filtration on planes actually quite good. Now they, there's all kinds of problems with the air on planes that I'm not gonna get into around like bleed air coming in through the jet engines, you get exhaust in the plane."
23:42 - 23:50
• "You know, my, my scientific assessment is safe. We do only recommend rates and older, but for younger we have a fly Kitt Junior where we make it with gummies."
In this week's episode, I am joined by Nick O'Kelly!
Nick is a retired Chief Warrant Officer 3 with 13 years of service in the U.S. Army, including 9 years in Special Operations.
He is one of the rare individuals to have served both as a U.S. Army Green Beret and as an MH-60M Black Hawk pilot with the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment.
Over the course of seven overseas deployments—including three combat tours in Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Philippines—he provided direct support to Tier 1 Special Mission Units in some of the world's most dangerous and complex environments.
Nick is now the author of Stigma, a powerful and unflinching exploration of mental health in the military and other high-performance communities.
The book breaks the long-standing code of silence around psychological struggle, revealing that strength and struggle can coexist—and that battle is not weakness.
Key Points
• Life as a high performer and mental health • The impacts of mental health stigmas • Special Forces training mirrors life's battles • Family dynamics of a high-performing soldier • The liberating power of vulnerabilitySébastien Page has more than two decades of leadership experience and has conducted extensive research in positive, sports, and personality psychology.
In addition to The Psychology of Leadership, he is the author of Beyond Diversification (McGraw-Hill, 2020) and co-author of Factor Investing and Asset Allocation (CFA Institute, 2016).
He currently serves as Chief Investment Officer and Head of Global Multi-Asset at T. Rowe Price, where he oversees a team of investment professionals actively managing more than $500 billion.
Sébastien has earned six research paper awards from The Journal of Portfolio Management and the Financial Analysts Journal, and he serves on the editorial boards of both publications.
He also sits on the Board of Directors of the Institute for Quantitative Research in Finance (the Q Group).
A respected voice in the field, he appears regularly on outlets such as Bloomberg TV and CNBC, and was named one of LinkedIn's Top 15 Voices in Finance.
Key Points
• Learning from losses is key
• Stress can boost performance
• Habits can change personality
• Empathy improves communication
• Parenting parallels leadership
Best Quotes
03:54 - 04:00
• "They're all obsessed with sports psychologists with losing and what you do with the loss."
19:00 - 19:11
• "I consider myself an introvert as well. Look, there's a theory behind it that reaches sports psychology life and setting goals in business." 19:37 - 19:46
• "It's hard enough to keep you motivated. It's not so easy that you'll get bored. And it's not so hard that it's impossible."
21:21 - 21:31
• "But if you realize that stress actually fuel for performance up to a point, then you at least stop stressing about stressing, you remove a layer of stress."
43:39 - 43:48
• "I have videos with my daughter out there where I teach her about finance and investing. We started doing this when she was 10."
In this week's episode, I am joined by Dr. Emily Falk! Emily Falk is a Professor at the University of Pennsylvania with appointments in Communication, Psychology, Marketing, and Operations, Informatics & Decisions.
She serves as Vice Dean of the Annenberg School for Communication, Director of the Communication Neuroscience Lab, and Director of the Climate Communication Division at the Annenberg Public Policy Center.
An expert in the science of behavior change, Dr. Falk integrates psychology, neuroscience, and communication to investigate what makes messages persuasive, why ideas spread, and how people can become more effective communicators.
Her new book, What We Value: The Neuroscience of Choice and Change, uncovers the hidden brain processes behind every decision we make—and shows how understanding those processes can help us make more intentional choices in our work, relationships, and lives. Dr. Falk's research has earned numerous honors, including early career awards from the International Communication Association, the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, the Social and Affective Neuroscience Society, and the NIH Director's New Innovator Award.
She is also a Fulbright grant recipient, a DARPA Young Faculty Award winner, and was named a "Rising Star" by the Association for Psychological Science.
She earned her B.A. in Neuroscience from Brown University and her Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of California.
Key Points
• Insights on choice-making
• The brain's social influence
• Creating impactful habits
• The neuroscience of purpose
• Parenting using brain science
Best Quotes
02:59 - 03:08
• "you know, I know that you think that when I come to your house, we're really spending quality time together, but actually we're not."
03:26 - 03:30
• "I wanna spend time with my kids, I wanna be a good boss. There are so many different things."
03:52 - 03:56
• "I wasn't sticking that landing of actually getting over there and spending the time with my grandmother."
10:44 - 10:51
• "People who are feeling more purposeful get a lot of benefits, both in terms of mental health and physical health."
19:24 - 19:33
• "Our brain figures out the things that we're choosing between, it then assigns a subjective value to each one, and then it keeps track of how things went."
In this week's episode, I am joined by Dr. Bob Rosen! Dr. Bob Rosen is a world-renowned thought leader on healthy people and healthy organizations. A psychologist, New York Times best-selling author, researcher, and preeminent business advisor, his pioneering work on personal and organizational change has earned global recognition. Each year, Bob speaks to thousands of people around the world and appears frequently in international media.
A sought-after media commentator, Bob has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Fortune, Bloomberg Businessweek, Financial Times, Time, Chief Executive Magazine, and many others. His books include Detach, the New York Times bestseller Grounded®, the Washington Post bestseller Conscious, Just Enough Anxiety, Global Literacies, The Catalyst, The Healthy Company, and Leading People. As a global keynote speaker, Bob is especially known for his insights into the psychology of self-improvement and leadership in a rapidly changing world.
Bob holds a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Pittsburgh and is a graduate of the University of Virginia. He teaches in executive education programs and has long served on the faculty of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at George Washington University's School of Medicine. His body of work—including books, programs, and resources—is available at bobrosen.com. Key Points
• The peril of past & future attachments
• Agile living beats stability illusion
• Embrace imperfection, discard perfection
• Success: balancing aspiration & contentment
• Self-awareness: key to high performance
Best Quotes
05:56 - 06:09
• "And so I wanted to identify the common attachments that got in the way. At the same time, Western psychology teaches us about dreams and aspirations and problem solving."
09:50 - 10:00
• "So by not facing the truth inside of us, us and practicing forgiveness of what happened, we risk becoming too attached to the past."
18:02 - 18:06
• "But the present state is where peace lies, and it's the hardest place to be."
32:43 - 32:58
• "We have a choice. So detached, although it might be scary for people who are high performing, it really helps them in the long run with their success and high performance."
In this week's episode, I am joined by Jeanne Sparrow! Jeanne Sparrow is an author, trusted leadership and communication consultant, and graduate faculty instructor at Northwestern University. A 7-time Emmy-winning television host, award-winning radio personality, and podcast host, Jeanne brings more than 30 years of experience in broadcasting and media to her work.
Driven by a lifelong passion for amplifying people's stories with clarity and hope, Jeanne's mission is to create connection and community—and to help others do the same. She empowers individuals and organizations to become more adaptable, confident, and successful by teaching them how to deliver authentic value through visionary leadership and inspiring communication.
You can connect with Jeanne and join her online community at www.fearlessauthenticity.com, listen to her podcast Fearless Authenticity with Jeanne Sparrow on YouTube or your preferred streaming platform, and find her book Fearless Authenticity: Lead Better, Sell More, and Speak Sensationally at your favorite bookseller.
Key Points
• Impact of being true to oneself
• Legacy tied to authentic living
• Midlife: a time for self-realignment
• The magnetic vibe of authenticity
• Action as an antidote to fear
Best Quotes 4:23 - 04:34
• "What do you actually do every day? Like that's the stuff I'm interested in because those, because the way in which we fulfill these roles is actually the thing that shows people who we are."
08:37 - 08:44
• "The saddest thing in the world is for somebody to leave this earth and with music still in their heart, right?"
08:47 - 08:55
• "And sometimes it's in tune with other people and sometimes it's not. But when you find the place where you are reaching that right harmony with other people, it's beautiful."
15:44 - 15:47
• "My mama told me, you always leave people better than you found them. That's right." 27:47 - 27:59
• "I am so passionate about, you know, people taking their authenticity to heart and understanding that they are a gift."
My guest today is Eddie Pinero — speaker, creator, and founder of Your World Within.
Eddie has built one of the most recognizable storytelling platforms in the self-development world.
His spoken-word films and reflections on purpose, discipline, and growth have reached hundreds of millions of people online, reminding us that we're always one decision away from a completely different life.
But behind all the creative success is something deeper — a philosophy about what it means to live a meaningful life. In this conversation, we talk about the process of becoming, why hardship is essential for growth, and how the pursuit of excellence doesn't have to come at the cost of peace.
Eddie's perspective bridges the gap between art and action — between thought and motion. It's a reminder that the life you want isn't waiting for permission; it's waiting for you to begin.
Key Points
In this week's episode, I am joined by Shira Miller! Shira is passionate about helping people live and lead with purpose, optimism, and sustained energy. A two-time TEDx speaker, Certified Executive Coach, and author of Free and Clear: Get Unstuck and Live the Life You Want, Shira currently serves as Chief Communications Officer for National DCP, the $3 billion supply chain company serving Dunkin' franchisees.
Cultivating optimism is her superpower. Having overcome financial hardship, chronic health challenges, and career misalignment, Shira transformed her own life into one fueled by meaning, connection, and impact. Today, she helps thousands of leaders and organizations do the same—activating the remarkable within themselves, their teams, and their cultures.
Shira's speaking engagements include events for the Society for Human Resource Management, Women's Foodservice Forum, Emory University, Canyon Ranch, the Women's Leadership Conference–Wisconsin, the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, and the Public Relations Society of America, among others. Her insights have been featured in Thrive Global, Shape, Health, First for Women, Authority Magazine, Quick & Simple, and the Atlanta Journal–Constitution.
Key Points
• Optimism: Your Life's Superpower
• The Positive Impact of Daily Acts
• Relationships Shape Your Path
• Reverse Bucket List Confidence Booster
• Embrace the "Remarkable" Inside You
Best Quotes
10:32
• "You know, the statistic is unfortunately quite high. If I think of the book, positive Intelligence, are you familiar? I've heard It, yes. Okay. It's terrific by, shes, I'm not going to say his name, exact shed shamine, his estimate is that 80% of us are holding ourselves back because of our negative relationship with ourself, and it's with our inner saboteur."
16:05 - 16:18
• "I call it the five things that I did for myself. You can do this in the morning or you can do it in the night. So let's say you're doing it at night and I try to list five things that I did for myself that day."
19:21 - 19:31
• "And people are uncomfortable with that. So when you can really, you know, I talk in the book about taking a pause, it could be for 10 minutes, it could be for 10 days."
31:36 - 31:50
• "The first point I wanna make is that we all already have the remarkable inside of us. And when I'm talking about remarkable, it's the ability to do something extraordinary or to make a big impact."
34:19
• "I call it a reverse bucket list. Would you like to hear about it? Okay. So, you know, the concept of a bucket list, you know, things we wanna do before we kick the bucket, before we, you know, die. So in this case, it's about acknowledging everything that we've already done."
Tamara Myles is a speaker, author, and professor specializing in the science of human flourishing at work. She helps leaders and organizations—including Microsoft, KPMG, and MassMutual—unlock the power of meaningful work to drive peak performance, innovation, and resilience.
A faculty member at Boston College and a researcher and instructor at the University of Pennsylvania, Tamara's work challenges traditional assumptions about work, showing that when leaders cultivate meaning, they create thriving teams and lasting impact.
Through her latest book, Meaningful Work (co-authored with Wes Adams), Tamara is redefining what it means to truly thrive at work.
The book and its accompanying Make Work Meaningful framework demonstrate how purpose, connection, and contribution can elevate not only organizational success but also individual fulfillment.
Her insights offer leaders and teams practical ways to align high performance with genuine well-being, making her a leading voice in conversations about how to live and lead at the highest level.
Key Points
• "The 3 Cs: Community, Contribution, Challenge"
• "Positive emotions coexist with struggle"
• "AI's rise altering the work dynamic"
• "Youth demanding meaningful work"
• "Mutual mentorship and generational bridging"
Best Quotes
02:08 - 02:31
• "And, and so it really, it was transformative in my personal life. And then in my work life I think was a com was an evolution and, and a way of, of like naming sometimes, you know, it's about having language to describe what you already believe in or what things you already do."
02:14 - 02:31
• "And then in my work life I think was an evolution and, and a way of, of like naming sometimes, you know, it's about having language to describe what you already believe in or what things you already do."
13:00
• "My leader cares about what's happening in my life outside of work. And one of the practices that we teach is exactly what, what you said, like at the weekly standup meeting at a weekly one-on-one, just ask, like let people talk about don't, don't be so transactional and go right into like, here are the things that are going on this week who has a question, right?"
34:14
• "So Marty Seligman, who founded the field of positive psychology has told us, you know, everybody who, who is a scholar and, and kind of researcher or works in the field that his moonshot vision, his big goal with the field is to have 51% of the population in the world flourishing by 2051."
In this conversation, I am joined by Jim Murphy! Jim is the man behind the viral book "Inner Excellence"! Today, we explore the themes of personal growth, the impact of literature, and the journey of young athletes. We discuss the importance of surrendering control, the role of belief, focus, and freedom in achieving excellence, and the influence of parents in shaping children's beliefs. The conversation also touches on the significance of competition, relationships, and creating a positive impact through service, while navigating challenges and learning from failures. Jim shares insights on the future of Inter Excellence and the need to fill the gap in society with a message of love and connection. takeaways
Sherri Coale is a native Oklahoman who grew up in a small rural town just north of the Red River, where she developed a lifelong love for reading, writing, and basketball—not necessarily in that order.
After a standout collegiate career at Oklahoma Christian, she traded her high tops for the sidelines in 1987, beginning what would become a Hall of Fame coaching career.
For 25 years, Sherri served as the head women's basketball coach at the University of Oklahoma, where she became the winningest coach in program history.
Under her leadership, the Sooners appeared in 19 consecutive NCAA tournaments and reached three Final Fours, cementing her legacy as one of the most successful coaches in the sport.
Sherri's contributions extend far beyond OU. She has coached on the international stage with USA Basketball, helping lead teams to a bronze medal in 2001 and a gold medal at the 2013 World University Games, where her squad defeated Russia on their home court.
Throughout her career, she has been recognized not only for competitive excellence but also for championing academics and community service, always striving to maximize her players' potential both on and off the court.
Her impact has been honored with inductions into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame, the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame, the Oklahoma Women's Hall of Fame, and numerous others—including the "Home of" signs proudly displayed in her hometown of Healdton.
Beyond coaching, Sherri is an author, master motivator, engaging speaker, gifted writer, and thoughtful observer of everyday life.
She shares her reflections in her weekly blog, A Weigh of Life (sherricoale.com), and is the author of Rooted to Rise, an Amazon bestseller, and The Compost File.
She and her husband, Dane, have been married for 38 years and are the proud parents of two children, a daughter-in-law, a son-in-law, and two beloved granddaughters who now fill their world with joy.
Key Points
• The importance of coaching beyond the game
• Cultural impact of shows like Ted Lasso
• Growth in collegiate athletics and its consequences
• The allure of writing and life after coaching
• The evolution of women's basketball and its icons
Best Quotes
03:23 - 03:28
• "The more curiosity we have, the, the less judgmental we're gonna be and the better off it is."
05:12 - 05:17
• "It's a proven philosophy that if you can connect with someone, you can help shape and change their behavior."
06:59 - 07:03
• "I need that. I need more of that in my life and I'd watch more stuff." 08:16 - 08:20
• "I fell in love with basketball in the third grade. Nobody in my family played."
09:04 - 09:11
• "So I went to college and said, I wanna be a teacher and a coach because I could not imagine a day without a basketball in my hand."
30:44 - 30:53
• "What I wanted them to most leave Oklahoma with what I wanted my children, I have two children. What I wanted them to leave our home with was confidence."
46:38 - 46:46
• "When I first started writing the stories in Rooted to Rise, I had about 15 stories and I thought I didn't, I wasn't writing a book, I was just writing."
In this week's episode, I am joined by Suzanne Warye! Suzanne Warye is a sobriety influencer and the host of the popular podcast The Sober Mom Life.
She is also the founder of The Sober Mom Life Cafe, a supportive digital community where women can explore their relationship with alcohol and discover freedom in sobriety.
Her work and personal journey have been featured in Scary Mommy and the Huffington Post.
Based on the North Shore of Chicago, Suzanne lives with her husband and three kids.
When she's not creating content or connecting with her community, she's likely reheating her coffee and embracing her self-proclaimed "whole heart, half ass" approach to parenting. Suzanne is the author of "The Sober Shift", out September 30th!
Key Points
• Sobriety shifts life's trajectory
• Navigating feelings post-alcohol
• Sharing the generational drink culture
• The lifelong impact of personal habits
• Connection beyond numbing substances
Best Quotes
03:50 - 03:56
• "But I too was drinking very heavily early on in my life, like super early."
07:35 - 07:43
• "I, I mean, it's interesting because I grew up in a family where my grandfather was an alcoholic."
11:54 - 12:03
• "I think being bored is like the pathway to creativity. We don't, we don't create anything when we're just like, you know, constantly consuming."
12:04 - 12:17
• "We have a rule in our house, like, you can use, you can be on the screen as long as you want, as long as you're creating and not consuming, because something happens to our mental health when we create."
12:21 - 12:30
• "And so I think just, but first allowing ourselves to feel the feelings of boredom, because generally adults aren't good at being bored either."
In this week's episode, I am joined by Alex Hutchinson! Alex is a science journalist, author, and former long-distance runner for the Canadian national team whose work explores the limits of human performance and humanity's innate drive to explore. He writes the long-running Sweat Science column for Outside magazine and has contributed to The New York Times, The New Yorker, and The Globe and Mail.
A Columbia-trained journalist with a Ph.D. in physics from Cambridge, Alex completed post-doctoral research with the National Security Agency before shifting full-time to writing. He is the author of the New York Times bestseller Endure: Mind, Body, and the Curiously Elastic Limits of Human Performance and, most recently, The Explorer's Gene: Why We Seek Big Challenges, New Flavors, and the Blank Spots on the Map (2025), a groundbreaking look at the science behind why humans are wired to push boundaries.
Key Points
• How challenges enhance meaning in life
• Daily routines can unlock high performance
• AI's impact on critical thinking and exploration
• The fine balance of parenting and risk
• The paradox of effort
Best Quotes
01:29 - 01:40
• "High performance, you know, you can, you can use different words for it, but I think that the concept is, I, I've always liked to, to push as hard as I can, push my limits, see what I'm capable of." 03:50 - 04:03
• "So it's always this, this, it's a delicate dance of trying to, trying to cr create that feeling in other people to try and, you know, have them challenged enough without feeling like, no, you, you, you always have to push harder."
05:21 - 05:28
• "I always wanted them to focus on the effort. I always wanted them to have fun doing what they were doing, not just worried about the end, but actually enjoying the journey."
06:22 - 06:28
• "There's a joy in the, there's a joy in seeing what I, what I'm capable of today. That, and it's, it's fun."
07:58 - 08:14
• "The one strain of res research that I found, you know, really validating to be frank, is on this idea called the effort paradox, which is what psychologists, that's their, their term for this idea that sometimes we do things not in spite of the fact that they're hard, but because they're hard."
10:49 - 11:01
• "Yeah, for sure. I mean, you know, and I'm a morning runner. Like I, when I, you know, when I was competing, going, you know, in, in high school and university practices were after school, after, after classes, and I was used."
12:37 - 13:01
• "So I, like, I really encourage people to figure out what's gonna get them going. And, and don't make it too daunting at the beginning. Don't, don't start with like a 18 step process to get ready for the day, but figure out what's gonna be good for you, do it, and then do it long enough that it eventually, it's no longer optional because then you don't have to waste your time or waste your mental energy to convincing yourself. It's just what you do."
Joel Goldberg broke into the sports broadcasting scene in the 1990s by knocking on television station doors, cold calling broadcast executives, and sending out resume tapes.
His career was not handed to him, it was built on persistence, connection, and years of hard work.
Over a 30-year career, Joel has worked in four markets, covering two World Series Championship teams and thousands of baseball games, as well as multiple Super Bowls, NHL playoffs, and NCAA March Madness tournaments.
Along the way, he has interviewed countless athletes, Hall of Famers, and celebrities, telling stories that range from the most famous stars to under-the-radar role players.
Since 2008, Joel has had the privilege of covering the Kansas City Royals as a host and reporter, a role that allows him to inform, entertain, and connect fans to the athletes they admire.
Through his years of storytelling and observing how championship organizations succeed—and fail—Joel recognized that the leadership methods and culture-building strategies used in sports could translate directly into the corporate world.
This realization led him to launch a motivational speaking business in 2017.
He is also the host of the podcast Rounding the Bases with Joel Goldberg and the author of the books Small Ball Big Results and Small Ball Big Dreams.
Key Points
• Big dreams & life lessons in baseball
• Unlocking success by embracing imperfection
• Media's dynamic evolution in storytelling
• Balancing high performance with family
• Transitioning from sport to speaking stages
Best Quotes
08:41 - 08:48
• "My longtime broadcast colleague, Ryan Lafe, who's our play Byplay guy, so I've been with him for 18 years in Kansas City."
17:53 - 18:00
• "When you're a professional and you, you've signed up for something that you love doing and it's your career, he just got on a plane and went and performed."
25:28 - 25:35
• "I always feel good about the guys that maybe met their spouse in college maybe before they were big time or, or in high school."
39:36 - 39:47
• "But like as far as viral content and all that, look, I'd be lying if I said I didn't get a dopamine hit from when a ton of people watch something that I do that goes viral."
46:40 - 46:48
• "There are just like any other profession, there are athletes in, in all sports that, that are doing it for the money. They don't like it so they won't miss it."
48:52 - 49:02
• "I love the, the, the small ball metaphor because in obviously with my baseball ties, the bunts, nobody thinks that a bunt is exciting."
50:34 - 50:49
• "It's not something that ends up in a bio or, or anything like that. But you're doing something to help advance your, cause your team's cause your purpose and you don't get a lot of credit for it publicly."
In this week's episode, I am joined by Rich Christiansen!
Rich Christiansen is a globally recognized entrepreneur, author, mentor, and humanitarian.
He has founded or co-founded 51 businesses, with 16 of them becoming multimillion-dollar successes, each launched with $10,000 or less, and has conducted business in 14 countries.
He is the bestselling author of The ZigZag Principle (McGraw Hill, 2011), which became both a Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestseller, and the co-author of Bootstrap Business.
In 2021, Rich launched the Legado Family Framework, a model designed to help families strengthen values, traditions, and governance—positively impacting and stabilizing families worldwide.
A natural mentor, he has launched and trained hundreds of young leaders, founded the Entrepreneur Leadership Center, and served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Southern Utah University as well as on the Utah State Board of Higher Education.
He also founded Mountain Grabbers, his thought leadership company, and HooDoo Capital, an early-stage venture capital firm.
Beyond business, Rich leads an adventurous life. With his family, he has explored slot canyons, summited Mt. Kilimanjaro, and stood at the base of Mt. Everest three times.
He enjoys frisbee golf, skiing, golf, cooking, playful music, and makes meditation a daily practice.
Together with his wife, he is the proud parent of five sons, ten grandchildren, and a daughter from Nepal.
Looking ahead, Rich is committed to using his next chapter of thought leadership to help guide humanity toward a balanced and safe middle way.
Key Points
• Rich Christiansen's 51-business journey
• The Zigzag Principle unpacked
• "Fail quickly and efficiently"
• Entrepreneurship with a heart
• Critical thinking over AI
• Personal values define success
Best Quotes
03:33 - 03:43
• "It's about 12, 13 years old. I kind went back and rewrote it, updated it last year, and, and it was really fun 'cause a lot of the principles held stronger than ever."
06:07 - 06:13
• "Please put guardrails in your life because it really becomes a at bat game, Scott, it really does."
06:37 - 06:43
• "I think it's always funny to me how movement and action create opportunity."
22:20 - 22:25
• "You show me a family or an organization with a bunch of rules and I'll show you a broken culture."
37:31 - 37:43
• "I think back to that concept of, of I want my sons to be, they know that they're not going to get any of my wealth and they would be offended if I did give them money."
Dr. Benjamin Ritter is a leadership and career coach, international speaker, and founder of Live for Yourself Consulting.
He helps senior leaders and executives gain clarity, confidence, and control over their careers so they can lead with purpose and build work that truly fulfills them.
Holding a doctorate in Organizational Leadership, Ben developed two signature frameworks—the LIVE system and the Three C's of Self-Leadership—that combine evidence-based theory with practical coaching strategies.
He has worked with professionals at top organizations including Amazon, Google, Mayo Clinic, and Pinterest.
A former healthcare executive who once felt stuck despite external success, Ben transformed that experience into a mission to help others learn to lead themselves first.
He is also the author of the bestselling book Becoming Fearless and host of The Executive Podcast.
Key Points
• Clarity, confidence, and control in career
• Alignment is key for high performance
• Soccer career insights and life lessons
• The LIVE model for personal growth
• Becoming fearless in professional life
Best Quotes
05:44 - 05:52
• "The most important leader is the leader that's inside you. Are you leading yourself as the way that you want your leader to actually show up and lead for you?"
08:35 - 08:42
• "And that belief is gonna allow me to go, to go achieve the things that I want to achieve despite other people's opinions."
21:40 - 21:45
• "You have to make sure it's not draining other critical components of your life and the things that can be important."
40:59 - 41:02
• "If you can have that belief and keep that front and center, then oh, you're gonna be okay."
I'm joined today by Joe Hirsch, an internationally recognized expert on leadership, communication, and feedback culture.
Joe is a bestselling author and keynote speaker who combines behavioral science with powerful storytelling to help individuals and organizations lead with greater clarity, connection, and impact.
His book The Feedback Fix has been featured in Harvard Business Review, praised by Forbes, and implemented by top companies, schools, and government agencies around the world.
He's spoken on stages across five continents and hosts the podcast I Wish They Knew, where he explores the hidden habits of exceptional leaders.
Joe's mission is to help people lead with less fear and more purpose, creating thriving cultures where people and performance grow together.
In our conversation, Joe and I dive into the transformative power of feedback and how it can move from a dreaded transaction to a powerful tool for growth, trust, and authentic communication.
We explore why humility, curiosity, and empathy are essential in feedback conversations, along with practical strategies to improve communication in both personal and professional relationships.
Joe also explains how self-confidence impacts our ability to receive feedback and why timing and delivery are crucial for building trust.
This episode will challenge the way you think about feedback and show you how small shifts in approach can strengthen relationships, enhance leadership, and unlock high performance.
Key Takeaways:
-Feedback is most effective when it looks forward, not backward.
- Humility, curiosity, and empathy create stronger feedback cultures.
- Self-confidence shapes how we receive and grow from feedback.
- Timing and delivery can make or break difficult conversations.
- Shifting feedback from a power dynamic to a partnership builds trust.
Rachel DeAlto is a keynote speaker, author, and expert in communication, leadership, and relatability. She is the author of Relatable: How to Connect with Anyone Anywhere (Even if It Scares You) and The Relatable Leader: Create a Culture of Connection.
Rachel holds a law degree, a Master's in psychology, and maintains an influential social media presence where she shares psychological research updates and practical takeaways to help people connect and communicate more effectively.
She has appeared as an expert on Lifetime's Married at First Sight, TLC's Kate+Date, and more than 200 national media outlets. Rachel speaks on relationship-building, the power of connection, emotional intelligence, and authenticity, with her most recent TEDx talk, Being Authentic in a Filtered World, featured on TED.com.
Key Points
• Relatable leadership is fundamental
• Importance of respect in teams
• Trust is key to leadership success
• Discussing the power of kindness
• Parenthood insights and anecdotes
Best Quotes
01:30 - 01:36
• "But I think in terms of being a relatable parent is you wanna be able to see and hear your children."
03:10 - 03:21
• "It's high performance is something where you're just trying to do the best job you possibly can, which is all you can do to make that impact, which I know is an important word, both in leadership and in parenting."
05:25 - 05:36
• "Gary Vaynerchuk said probably like a decade ago that if we weren't paying attention, we'd be missing the fact that the radio was replaced by the television and the television is being replaced by our phones."
08:24 - 08:31
• "One of the things I've found to be most successful in leadership is the ability to put life first."
39:36 - 39:41
• "Imagine if every person in this universe treated every other person as if they had value."
Brian Galke is the founder and CEO of Subtle Skills, a company that teaches people how to decode facial features and body language to build instant rapport and communicate more effectively.
His F.A.C.E. Reading System helps individuals understand how others receive information, allowing them to connect more deeply, stay present, and lead with empathy.
Brian's journey—from introverted help-desk worker to Regional VP of Sales managing a $40 million book of business—demonstrates the real-world power of mastering subtle communication.
Today, he shares these tools through keynotes, workshops, and online content, helping leaders and teams across industries strengthen their relationships and influence.
He's been called a "secret weapon" for his ability to decode people and unlock confident, authentic communication.
Key Points
• Face reading has ancient origins
• Facial cues influence communication
• Emotional intelligence trumps AI
• Faces can signal introversion/extroversion
• Mastering microexpressions is key
Best Quotes
06:19 - 06:23
• "It's not just the messenger. Sometimes it's the timing of when you hear it."
07:16 - 07:22
• "There's a whole theory that you need to reread books that you've already read because you're gonna learn new things."
09:12 - 09:21
• "We are a lot of our environment and if you're, if you surround yourself with the right kind of energy, the right kind of people help amplify our message, help amplify our growth."
There is a trap that most new parents fall into, and they dont even realize that it could be killing their relationship... This episode outlines something you can do daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly to hold your marriage together during this new chapter in your life! I hope it helps!
Jason Graystone is a self-made entrepreneur, investor, and bestselling author who achieved complete financial freedom by the age of 30. After launching his first business at just 22, Jason went on to build multiple multimillion-dollar companies across both the online and service sectors. Today, he's known as a professional investor, speculator, and angel investor with a deep passion for financial education and wealth creation.
A globally recognized voice in the world of personal finance, trading, and entrepreneurship, Jason has spoken on some of the most prestigious stages in the investing space, as well as at universities, schools, and for major organizations—including the Metropolitan Police. He is the founder of an industry-leading investment and trading education platform that helps people take control of their finances and achieve long-term financial independence.
In addition to his business success, Jason is a dedicated philanthropist, having raised over £100,000 for charitable causes. He is also deeply connected to many of the world's top entrepreneurs and thought leaders. In 2018, his groundbreaking work in trader development earned him a feature in Forbes Magazine alongside world-renowned trading psychologist Dr. Brett Steenbarger.
As the author of Always Free and Trading Free, Jason's mission is to empower people to live purpose-driven, financially independent lives. His belief is simple yet powerful: "When we are free and able to focus on meaningful work, we become better human beings."
Key Points
• Mental freedom is key to true wealth.
• Wealth equals service impact on lives.
• Process over outcome for success.
• Effective parenting shapes confidence.
• Financial discipline is freedom's ally.
Best Quotes
24:42 - 24:59
• "So what I would, I would just go on my Instagram and at this point his friends start following me, right? So they think I'm cool and, and I'd just go, I was talking to someone the other day and you know, they said this and, and then I would kind of explain my answer on the social media and they, his friends would all be like, your dad's, yeah, your dad's cool."
36:43 - 36:53
• "My approach to sharing all of this stuff, I, I, I watched a, I watched a seminar, but it, it was recorded back in the eighties. I watched it in my early twenties by, by a guy called Stuart Wild."
37:45 - 37:49
• "And when they find you, all you have to do is have an organized way to build these people."
39:41 - 40:06
• "No matter how much you teach them chat, GPT could teach them, but it's about building trust so when they can sit, when they can spend an hour with you online or two hours watching your videos or five hours reading a book, you've, you've built equity in that relationship where they trust you and they're not gonna go and search Google for another person to teach 'em the same thing that they, they just believe that you are the only person that can help them now."
45:24 - 45:32
• "I think common trap that a lot of entrepreneurs or business owners fall into these days is they feel like they've got to say something profound."
Learn more about Jason's new book: https://amzn.to/3TGGtGg
In this week's episode, I am joined by Adam McGraw! Adam spent over a decade at American Express, where he led high-performing teams in sales and commercial strategy, earning recognition as a top 2% leader across the company.
But it was his personal experience navigating stress, burnout, and the limitations of traditional leadership models that sparked a deeper shift. That shift ultimately led to the creation of CREW.
Today, Adam is a transformational leadership speaker, executive coach, and the co-founder and CEO of CREW, a private leadership community for senior executives committed to purpose, connection, and fulfillment.
Through CREW, he helps senior leaders build authentic, emotionally intelligent peer networks that prioritize connection, resilience, and meaning, alongside high performance.
He's a certified coach, an experienced facilitator, and someone deeply passionate about helping leaders thrive not just in business, but in life.
Along the way, Adam partnered closely with Stanford lecturer and New York Times bestselling author Shirzad Chamine, creator of the Positive Intelligence® framework.
Profoundly influenced by the model's integration of neuroscience and mindset mastery, Adam dedicated himself to sharing this work with leaders across the country.
Driven by a personal philosophy of alignment over achievement, Adam is passionate about helping leaders reconnect with their inner drive, navigate life transitions, and define success on their own terms. His journey is grounded in what he calls a "go for it" mindset, leaving behind the stability of a corporate career to pursue the mission-driven life he once didn't have the courage to follow.
Through CREW, he now helps other leaders do the same, providing a curated, members-only space where senior executives can find the safe, growth-focused community they often lack inside their organizations.
Key Points
• Success isn't just about promotions
• Parenting insights that steer careers
• Books can pivot your life direction
• Relationships: The X factor of growth
• Finding joy in life's little moments
Best Quotes
01:48 - 01:52
• "I ended up in this corporate path really never wanting to do it."
02:41 - 02:49
• "I went in that lane. There were goals and external validation metrics to chase and competitive. And I went for it, and I got sucked into it."
06:27 - 06:33
• "And then I would immediately dissent back down to baseline levels of happiness, fulfillment, significance, and self-worth."
11:34 - 11:40
• "That's not how the brain works. That's not where vision and creativity and innovation live."
49:33 - 49:40
• "And we spend a good chunk of our lives trying to get back to that innocence, that curiosity and that value that childhood presented."
In this week's episode, my guest is Tim Shurr!
Tim is the President of Shurr! Success Seminars & Coaching, a consulting and marketing firm, and a globally recognized mindset and performance expert.
With a background in clinical psychology and certifications in hypnotherapy and NLP, Tim has facilitated over 15,000 individual hypnosis coaching sessions and decades of corporate training.
Tim is the creator of the One Belief Away™ method, a transformative approach designed to reprogram limiting beliefs in just 30 minutes, and is often described as one of the most effective hypnotherapists and belief specialists in the world.
He's authored six books, including Get Out of Your Way, The Cure for Self-Sabotage, and One Belief Away!, and has helped clients like Verizon, US Steel, Caterpillar, Amway, and Wells Fargo Advisors dramatically improve performance through behavior change and leadership development.
An award‑winning speaker, TV and radio guest expert (including Fox News, CBS, NBC, ABC), and TEDx presenter, Tim empowers presidents, CEOs, and executives to foster engaged, self‑motivated teams, drive innovation, and boost profitability through sustainable mindset shifts. Key Points
• Upgrade your unconscious beliefs
• Overcome the high achiever cycle
• Investment in self leads to success
• Methods to shift self-limiting stories
• Community and faith foster growth
Best Quotes
02:38 - 02:47
• "I coined the term achiever syndrome. 'cause I feel like we've got this achiever syndrome, this feeling that no matter where we're at, we should be somewhere else no matter what we've done."
02:52 - 02:59
• "It's like we've got the finish line, and as soon as we get close to it, it gets pushed and it's like, oh, well now I gotta do."
07:28 - 07:34
• "What I do is I just figure out what feeling is keeping you stuck. And then I have you connect with that feeling."
08:07 - 08:21
• "So we go and we find that event. So let's just say we're working with your friend and we go back to when he was seven years old and all of a sudden he's having this experience where he tries to do something new in the classroom and it falls apart."
10:14 - 10:20
• "In fact, going for it makes me feel happier than holding back. Now you're starting to play to win."
12:18 - 12:23
• "If you go from I'm not worthy of love to, I am loved, that is a fundamental shift."
14:26 - 14:31
• "You just better do what you're promising. And so I'm like, yeah, I bring it."
19:14 - 19:26
• "But people aren't thinking of it that way. And so when my wife asked me to do some kind of activity... I'm like, I could be making a thousand dollars right now, but I'm gonna do this $10 activity for her because I value my marriage."
In this week's episode, I am joined by my good friend Mike Langford!
Will Langford has 40 years' experience leading churches to engage communities with the life-changing message of Christ.
Recently he retired from the pastorate to become a Pastor Wellness Catalyst with the Georgia Baptist Convention. He is married to Melissa, and they have two grown daughters. Dr. Langford received his Doctor of Ministry and Master of Divinity from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Will is both an accomplished author and speaker.
Will's greatest passion is helping people cultivate their gifts and talents to leave a legacy of faith in their family and community.
Key Points
• Passionate about life's next chapter
• Leaving a legacy, not just memories
• The value of community and service
• Driving force: Relationships over being right
• Cultivating faith as life's foundation
Best Quotes
04:25 - 04:34
• "You know, sometimes we, we focus on being right so much that we, we draw a really tight circle, and if we're not careful, we're gonna draw that circle so tight that we're the only ones standing in it."
05:13 - 05:24
• "I talk a lot on this show about Sunday night dinners, and my mom does a Sunday night dinner every week, my mom and dad, but mom's the one that listens to the show, so I mention her a little bit more."
07:48 - 07:58
• "I mean, look, look at, look at politics, right? I mean, it's every single month the media is pressing something that they want us to actually pay attention to."
14:18 - 14:26
• "And the light that shines the brightest, you know, it, it's, they're the furthest, I guess the light that shines the furthest shines the brightest right here." 44:50 - 44:59
• "It's the kind of thing that could help a group of people that are looking for a way to live within imbalance, but focus on the most important things."
In this week's episode, I am joined by Emily Kasriel! Emily is a journalist, researcher, and executive coach whose work explores one of the most underrated and powerful tools we have in relationships: deep listening.
Emily has worked all over the world with the BBC, led major global media and leadership projects, and developed her Deep Listening method as a Senior Fellow at King's College London.
She's trained thousands of people, from army officers to corporate leaders to students in over 100 countries, on how to listen in a way that creates real connection and trust.
In this episode, we talk about what deep listening really means, and how it's different from the kind of listening most of us do every day. Emily shares simple, research-backed tools that can transform how we connect with our partners, kids, and even with ourselves. Key Points
• Deep listening vs superficial talk
• 8 steps to mastering deep listening
• Silence is golden in conversation
• Transform relations with profound talks
• Ethics & boundaries in deep listening
Best Quotes
03:43 - 03:51
• "And it's such a beautiful gift to be able to give to people around us and to strangers and even people we disagree with."
03:55 - 04:03
• "So often when we listen to other people and they say, let's say they talk about, I've had a really difficult day, my boss was being impossible."
06:46 - 07:00
• "Research evidences that when we do take the time to listen, when we use more silence, when we are genuinely curious, people are able to, you know, not only at work, feel more incentivized, the bottom line increases."
07:49 - 07:57
• "And it's also because of time pressures. We've all got so much to juggle in our lives, and we're bombarded with an overplay of information."
08:19 - 08:31
• "I know from my work as an executive coach with leaders in the BBC and in many different corporations and organizations, that when you do give people the space, they will create new understandings."
25:33 - 25:47
• "The evidence from the academics into deep listening approach found that when people were practicing deep listening, they felt much safer, safer to express themselves and more understood."
Gretchen Rubin is one of today's most influential observers of happiness and human nature. She's the author of many books, including the blockbuster New York Times bestsellers Outer Order, Inner Calm; The Four Tendencies; Better Than Before; and The Happiness Project.
Her books have sold more than 3.5 million copies worldwide, in more than thirty languages.
She hosts the top-ranking, award-winning podcast Happier with Gretchen Rubin, where she explores practical solutions for living a happier life.
Raised in Kansas City, Rubin lives in New York City with her husband and two daughters.
Key Points
• Decode your 'Four Tendencies' personality
• How to harness outer expectations
• Rebels' unique response to expectations
• The freedom within discipline for Upholders
• Gretchen's take on 'Secrets of Adulthood'
Best Quotes
02:26 - 02:37
• "Depending on whether your tendency is to meet or resist outer and inner expectations, that's what makes you an upholder, a questioner, an obliger, or a rebel."
06:48 - 06:57
• "I'm the kind of person that leads people to them. And I spend a lot of time with the other individuals helping them find themselves or what's most important."
13:35 - 13:39
• "I don't wanna be your babysitter; do your work in your own way, and I'll do my work in my own way."
20:38 - 20:41
• "Why are you not upholding your expectations for yourself?"
50:19 - 50:29
• "If you can't figure out what to do, choose the bigger life, you know, because people are like, oh. 'cause it's like the pros and the cons can feel very evenly weighed, but then it's like, choose the bigger life."
Website: https://gretchenrubin.com/Today's guest is Julie Skolnick! Julie is a nationally recognized expert on twice-exceptional children, or "2e" kids — those who are both gifted and face learning challenges like ADHD, anxiety, or autism.
Julie is the author of Gifted and Distractible and the founder of With Understanding Comes Calm, a global organization that supports parents, teachers, and clinicians working with neurodiverse kids.
She's helped thousands of families better understand the unique strengths and struggles that come with raising a child who doesn't fit the mold.
In this episode, we talk about what it really means to raise a twice-exceptional child—how to keep curiosity alive, why motivation can disappear in boring or rigid environments, and how small shifts in communication can completely change the energy in your home.
Julie shares powerful insights on trauma, learning styles, and the role of resilience—not just for kids, but for parents too.
We also touch on relationships, love languages, and how giving yourself grace as a parent can be just as important as the strategies you use.
If you're raising a complex, bright, emotionally intense child—or if you're one yourself—this conversation will help you feel seen, supported, and more equipped to lead with empathy instead of pressure.
Key Points
• 2e traits extend beyond being "smart."
• Punishment doesn't teach lagging skills.
• Importance of love & play in learning.
• Gifted classrooms should be active.
• Children's nature is key in parenting.
Best Quotes
07:58 - 08:06
• "So the sit face forward, raise your hand, be organized, turn in your homework. Those are not gifted kids. That's anything but gifted."
11:09 - 11:18
• "So when I train teachers, I just, I just trained a bunch of administrators this week. I am always saying, your best answer is from the kid."
24:46 - 24:55
• "When you notice verbs and efforts, it's like they thank you. 'cause it's like, wow, you see how hard I'm working with all the things that I'm dealing with, right?"
39:13 - 39:27
• "Same with parents. Parents might come to me and be like, Ugh. And they'll tell me all these negative things about their kids. And I always start, my first question always is tell me what your kid's superpower is. Tell me what your kid is passionate about or loves or is interested in."
47:41 - 47:51
• "Wait, what? You don't think the way I Wait, hold on. That doesn't mean as much to you. Wait, you Right. Like we we're surprised, right?"
In this week's episode, I am joined by Leonard Sax!
Dr. Leonard Sax is an American physician, psychologist, and author best known for his work on child and adolescent development. A graduate of MIT and the University of Pennsylvania, where he earned both his M.D. and Ph.D. in psychology, Dr. Sax has spent over three decades working with children and families in clinical settings.
He is widely recognized for his advocacy on issues of gender differences, parenting, and education. Dr. Sax has authored several influential books, including:
- Why Gender Matters (2005) - Boys Adrift (2007) - Girls on the Edge (2010) - The Collapse of Parenting (2015) (2024 revised edition)
Through his writing and speaking engagements, Dr. Sax promotes evidence-based approaches to raising and educating children, with particular attention to the roles of culture, discipline, and biological sex differences.
He has spoken in all 50 U.S. states and internationally, advising parents, educators, and policy makers on how to better support the development of healthy, motivated, and resilient kids.
Dr. Sax is known for blending scientific research with practical advice, often challenging prevailing assumptions about parenting and education.
Key Points
• "Gentle parenting" hardships exposed
• Importance of parental authority
• Teen boys' disturbing tech addiction
• Impact of media on shaping masculinity
• Steps to counter a flawed culture
Best Moments 05:01 - 05:14
• "We can argue about what gentle parenting means, and different gurus have different definitions, but one thing they agree on is that gentle parenting means letting kids decide that good parenting means letting kids decide."
07:28 - 07:33
• "Enlightened parenting means setting your child free to discover for themselves their own right and wrong." 10:29 - 10:35
• "The cause is this toxic American culture of disrespect and sleaze."
10:56 - 11:10
• "You also have to offer something positive. You have to offer a healthy culture, something positive to replace Drake, SZA, Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion."
16:35 - 16:39
• "In order to become a better parent, you have to become a better person."
43:15 - 43:20
• "School has become unfriendly to boys, boys doing things that boys have always done."
In this week's episode, I am joined by Kris Gethin!
Kris Gethin is a globally recognized fitness coach, biohacker, author, and entrepreneur who's helped thousands of people transform their lives—both physically and mentally.
With a background in bodybuilding and extreme fitness, Kris has built a reputation for pushing the limits of human performance while staying grounded in recovery, mindfulness, and longevity.
In our conversation, we dive into what it really means to live a high-performance life.
We talk about the connection between physical challenges and mental resilience, the power of daily rituals, and how relationships—not transactions—are the true foundation of lasting success.
Kris shares his deep knowledge on cutting-edge health practices like peptides, stem cells, grounding, and biohacking.
We discuss how sleep, hydration, and movement are non-negotiables for health, and how self-awareness and patience are often the missing ingredients in long-term transformation.
Whether you're an entrepreneur, athlete, or simply someone striving to be better every day, this episode is packed with insights you can apply to your life immediately.
Key Points
• Relationships are at the core of true success • Physical struggle builds mental resilience • Daily rituals influence health and mindset • Biohacking can optimize body and brain performance • Meditation isn't one-size-fits-all—find your version • Grounding helps reduce inflammation and stress • Sleep is the most vital recovery tool we have
Click here to learn more about Kris: https://www.krisgethin.com/
In this week's episode, I am joined by Jim Sheils!
Jim is the founder of 18 Summers, a movement that helps families deepen their relationships through intentional time, powerful experiences, and lasting memories.
Jim is also a successful real estate investor and entrepreneur who, after seeing how many business leaders were thriving at work but disconnected at home, became passionate about helping families reconnect—starting with his own.
In our conversation, we explore the importance of being fully present with the people who matter most. We discuss how building a strong family foundation can not only enhance your personal life, but actually fuel your professional success.
Jim shares how "family board meetings" have changed the way thousands of parents connect with their children and why adventures are more impactful than lectures.
We also talk about generational wealth, raising kids with core values, breaking generational patterns, and how to move from consuming personal development content to actually living it.
If you're a high performer striving for both success and significance, this episode is for you.
Key Points
• Relationships are key to true success • Integrating family and business is essential • One-on-one time with kids builds trust • Experiences create deeper bonds than lectures • Being present at home impacts your leadership • Core values shape a family legacy
In this week's episode, I reflects on my evolving perspective on funerals and the importance of celebrating life. I took some time to sit down and reflect on my personal experiences from delivering eulogies for my grandparents, emphasizing the lessons learned and the impact of these moments on his understanding of legacy and relationships. I discusses how funerals serve as a reminder of life's brevity and the significance of living a meaningful life, and I encourage anyone listening to reflect on their own legacies and the connections they have with loved ones. Key Takeaways: - You definitely want to leave behind a better world.
- Life is meant to be celebrated.
- Life is imperfect, and we all fail along the way.
- It's our job to keep their legacy alive.
- How can I make small daily impacts?
- Thank you to the life that went before me.
In this week's episode I am joined by Cathy Heller!
Cathy Heller is a dynamic transformational coach, spiritual guide, meditation teacher, and inspirational speaker dedicated to helping individuals find ease, joy, and fulfillment in their lives.
As the host of the Abundant Ever After podcast and author of the empowering book Don't Keep Your Day Job: How to Turn Your Passion into Your Career, Cathy inspires her audience to pursue their dreams and live authentically.
Cathy has transformed the lives of hundreds of thousands through her teachings. On her podcast, she has engaged in enlightening conversations with a diverse range of creative entrepreneurs, renowned blogger Seth Godin, actor Matthew McConaughey, spiritual teacher Deepak Chopra, author Marianne Williamson, and psychologist Dr. Edith Eger, among others.
Cathy's passion lies in helping people find joy and meaning beyond material wealth, and she has transformed the lives of hundreds of thousands through her teachings.
Her work encompasses meditation, Jewish mysticism, and career strategies, empowering individuals to expand their potential and make a positive impact on the world. Key Points
• Kathy Heller's journey from music to mysticism
• The profound impact of spirituality on success
• Allowing ease and grace into your high-performance life
• Manifestation through the lens of Jewish mysticism
• The significance of small acts in creating change
Best Quotes
06:40 - 06:51
• "I started studying with Rabbi Aaron, and he said to me the first day, he said, you are a masterpiece because you are a piece of the master. And he said, you are someone because you're some of the one."
07:45 - 07:51
• "And what Rabbi Aaron explained to me is that God has put everything in escrow for us, and our only job is to receive it."
13:13 - 13:23
• "And so it like brings me to tears because I, I cannot imagine what it would be like if I didn't have a relationship with my creator."
15:50 - 15:59
• "I start the podcast, okay? I don't know anybody not worried about it. I heard the, I heard the call Cath start a podcast. I'm like, all right, I'm gonna trust this whisper, right?"
20:16 - 20:27
• "The book I wrote is about the idea that everyone has these lists of things that they want. They wanna manifest a house, $10 million, the love of their life. Great."
30:15 - 30:28
• "And it's amazing because if I went through every single thing that's ever happened to me, it literally happened from the power of, you know, connecting with a person in a moment for no reason other than it feels good to do."
Website: https://www.cathyheller.com/
In this week's episode, I wanted to share my thoughts on "Modern Parenting". I take a deep dive into why today's gentle approach may miss the mark, and hear raw, real-life insights on discipline, failure, and family dynamics. Join me for a no-holds-barred discussion that's as much about raising strong children as it is about building character in the digital age! Key Points
• Kids need discipline and boundaries
• Failure teaches and strengthens
• Too much protection can handicap your child's future
• Strong kids need various role models
• Technology should not replace real connection
Best Quotes
00:00 - 00:05
• "Modern parenting is failing. And the worst part is most parents don't even know why." 00:55 - 01:05
• "Children are born and challenge constantly, but if we allow them to constantly cross the line and don't set appropriate boundaries, then children don't know how to act." 01:43 - 01:55
• "If a child does not listen or hear some of the most important things, they are at risk for getting themselves in trouble or doing something that could hurt them." 06:19 - 06:25
• "Parents are making themselves the main character in the story.
07:27 - 07:42
• "Now being in the generation that we had immense freedom in the, in the, the early high school years and into college, I mean, I did so many things that my children did not and do not do, and I don't want them to repeat those things."
09:15 - 09:20
• "Frederick Douglas said It's better to build strong children than to repair broken men."
14:13 - 14:20
• "At the end of the day, parenting is imperfect. I understand that. And everybody that's a parent understands it."
14:21 - 14:29
• "Every single child will look back on their lives and understand that their parents did the best possible job they could. Hopefully."
In this episode, I take a deep dive into the story behind discovering the 5 Love Languages!
Key Points
• Story of buying first home and marriage
• The influence of "The Five Love Languages"
• Growing through challenges in marriage
• The importance of understanding love expressions
• Making love a daily choice
Best Quotes
05:52 - 06:05
• "It stayed there for three years. We had our first son, we had our second son, and now we're approaching a moment in our life, in our marriage where chaos is taking over."
08:10 - 08:21
• "We had never actually been working on our relationship. We had never started to apply the work that it takes to get to the next level in our marriage or in our relationship."
08:14 - 08:21
• "We had never started to apply the work that it takes to get to the next level in our marriage or in our relationship." 16:24 - 16:28
• "But the action of doing what the other person needed could be."
18:02 - 18:11
• "The reality is you have a partner. And when we have a partnership, it requires daily work, daily action."
19:49 - 20:00
• "At the end of the day, I'm super glad that we found the place to raise our family, that we got that book, and that we were able to build a stronger relationship because of it."
In this week's episode, I am joined by Cristina Versari! Dr. Cristina Versari was the Program Administrator for the NBA Education and Career Development Program responsible for the services offered to thirty NBA teams.
She counseled NBA players on a variety of specific topics including career transition, life planning, education and degree completion. In addition to this Cristina also developed numerous NBA players seminars and training programs.
She is the Director of the Sport Psychology Program at the San Diego University for Integrative Studies. ( SDUIS) and has worked with the Brazilian Olympic Men's Basketball Team.
She also continues to provide services to individual professional basketball players and lacrosse players members of the National Lacrosse and Premier Lacrosse Leagues.
She attended the United States International University and obtained her Ph.D. and Masters degree in Psychology with specialization in Sport Psychology.
Dr. Versari has been working with high profile clientele for over thirty years.
Her work has been featured on national and international television and in newspapers including MSNBC, FOX News, CNN, LA Times, Sports Illustrated, Psychology Today, The New York Times, San Diego Business Journal, San Diego Union Tribune, The San Diego Reader, Orlando Sentinel, Sacramento Bee, NorthJersey.com, UCSD Guardian, and Sportv. Key Points
• Belief in self drives top athletes
• Successful pro athletes practice discipline
• Relationships: A struggle for high performers
• Parenting influences on young athletes explored
• Personal growth requires impactful relationships
Best Quotes
07:12 - 07:18
• "These are the areas that you can make the decisions. You can decide anything you want in these certain areas."
07:27 - 07:31
• "So right now I decide when your bed time is, and that's the time you go to bed."
09:21 - 09:29
• "No, we're telling them, Hey, you have to decide what is the difference that, that you need to make to get on the field to get more playing time."
18:27 - 18:34
• "Sometimes the experience they had in life was so painful that they wanna change now."
22:04 - 22:11
• "There's a price you have to pay and those people are willing to pay the price to get there."
28:06 - 28:16
• "You have to have those qualities to attract someone like that. So we spend a lot of time working on the relationships now."
For more information about Dr. Versari: www.cristinaversari.com If you wish to reach out or book an appointment, she can be reached at: cversari@sduis.eduIn this week's episode, I am joined by Jeff Krasno! Jeff is the co-founder and CEO of Commune, a masterclass platform for personal and societal well- being. He hosts the Commune podcast, interviewing a wide variety of luminaries from Deepak Chopra and Marianne Williamson to Matthew McConaughey and Gabor Maté.
Jeff pens a personal weekly essay titled "Commusings" that explores spirituality, wellness and culture and is distributed to over one million subscribers every Sunday.
Jeff is the creator of Good Stress, a collection of wellness protocols that he developed to reverse his diabetes, lose 60 pounds and reclaim his health at age 50. Good Stress is available as on-line course and is being developed into a book and TV series.
Jeff is also the co-creator of Wanderlust, a global series of wellness events. In 2016, he was selected by Oprah Winfrey to be part of the SuperSoul100 as one of the nation's leading entrepreneurs.
In 1995, Jeff married his college sweetheart, Schuyler Grant. They live in Los Angeles and have three daughters.
SCHUYLER GRANT is founder and co-director of Kula Yoga Project in NYC, co-creator of Wanderlust, and co- owner/director of the Commune Topanga retreat center. The advanced teacher training she has led for over two decades in Kula Flow, her unique style of alignment-based vinyasa, has minted teachers and studio owners worldwide. She considers herself exceptionally lucky to still love vinyasa-style yoga—and the same man—after all these years. Key Points
• Turning childhood adversities into strengths
• The paradox of modern ease leading to dis-ease
• Rethinking rituals & mental muscles
• Personal stories of transformation & community
• The mental & physical gym's role in wellness
Best Quotes
09:23 - 09:38
• "I really went down this slope of, you know, chronic fatigue, brain fog, insomnia, irritability, really deep inability to concentrate and grab my phone every two seconds."
12:13 - 12:19
• "I was totally impermanent. And change was not only available to me, it was the only thing on offer."
18:15 - 18:26
• "We taste it when we taste that homegrown tomato that required some inconvenience, right? Versus that ethylene gas one that we bought at Stop and Shop." Grab your copy of Jeff's book "Good Stress": https://www.jeffkrasno.com/book
In this week's episode, I am joined by Nick Pollard! People call Nick the People-DIS-Pleaser because he teaches thousands of people every week how to set boundaries and break free from people-pleasing. (And that can be displeasing to the people that love to walk all over you!)
You CAN live a life that is genuine to you, people-pleasing isn't your forever.
As Nick says it, he has walked the road from people-pleaser to captain of his own life.
In the beginning People-pleasers are usually trained from childhood. The demand to be quiet, push aside your own needs and be EXACTLY what everyone else expects is DRILLED IN to our brains.
Nick spent his whole childhood and the first few years of adulthood trying to please his dad.
He was constantly proving himself (and lying to himself about how miserable he was).
And then Everything came crashing down. HARD! His dad was hiding a terrible secret and when Nick found out how horribly his dad had betrayed the rest of his family his world imploded.
Nick turned to alcohol and spent almost every minute at the bar. He threw away his entire "perfect" life he'd built and he didn't care. He was overweight, coming off a 3rd divorce and a business he had bankrupted.
Suddenly Nick realised he'd only been living for other people – This was the beginning of the changes. Doormat Nick, the one who would ask "how high" when anybody said jump, the Nick with zero boundaries – was OUT!
For the first time Nick felt awake and he was going to be HIM for the very first time.
Key Points
• People-pleasing can be selfish
• Genuine giving vs. pleasing giving
• The personal cost of people-pleasing
• Transactional relationships' toxicity
• Self-authenticity's role in fulfillment
Best Quotes
07:57 - 08:06
• "Right? And to me, when I thought of how I was living my life, it was always like, will this other person like me? That's why I'm doing it."
09:05 - 09:16
• "And it's this inauthentic way of being that causes us as humans, or, you know, as people-pleasing humans, to never also understand who we are."
11:32 - 11:42
• "And what I mean by transactional is like you give to get acceptance and love. So if your relationships feel like they're transactional, it's because you've made them transactional"
11:58 - 12:05
• "It's a really, really painful realization. Like, you've chosen your life to this point, right?"
12:21 - 12:28
• "At the end of the day, we are all accountable for how we've lived our lives. We are responsible for how this thing turns out."
In this week's episode I am joined by Dr. Joel "Gator" Warsh!
Joel Warsh is a Board-Certified Pediatrician in Los Angeles,California who specializes in Parenting, Wellness and Integrative Medicine. He grew up in Toronto, Canada and completed degrees in Kinesiology, Psychology and Epidemiology and Community Health before earning his medical degree from Thomas Jefferson Medical College.
He completed his Pediatric Medicine training at Children's Hospital of Los Angeles (CHLA) and worked in private practice in Beverly Hills before founding his current practice, Integrative Pediatrics and Medicine Studio City, in 2018. Dr. Gator has published research in peer-reviewed journals on topics including childhood injuries, obesity and physical activity.
He has been featured in numerous documentaries, films, summits, podcasts and articles including CBS, Fox, LA Parent, Washington Post, MindBodyGreen, and many others. He is also the founder of the Parenting Masterclass Platform Raising Amazing which can be found at RaisingAmazingPlus.com
Dr. Joel Gator may be best known for his popular Instagram DrJoelGator where he offers weekly parenting and integrative pediatric support.
He is a consultant for high-profile brands in the health and wellness space.
Dr. Gator is married to Sarah Intelligator, an attorney, whose Holistic Divorce and Family Law practice is located in Beverly Hills.
For almost 20 years, she has taught yoga throughout Los Angeles. Dr. Joel was given the nickname, Dr. Gator, by his peers after marrying Sarah Intelligator (yes that is her real last name) and the nickname stuck.
On May 20, 2025, he will be releasing Between a Shot and a Hard Place: Tackling Vaccine Questions with Balance, Data, and Clarity (currently ranked #1 in new releases in vaccines on Amazon). It is the first and only book about vaccines that offers a balanced approach by fostering open dialogue and informed choices for the sake of our children's health. This is not an "anti-vax" book – it encourages thoughtful discussion free from biases of advocacy or opposition. Vaccines are amongst the most heated topics of debate and discourse and are often subject to censorship. This is why openly discussing vaccines has never been more critical.
Key Points • Vaccine talks reignite curiosity
• RFK's impactful health campaign
• The push for preventive health practices
• Curiosity in science is essential for progress
• Parents increasingly question vaccine safety
• Ingredients in food vastly differ today
Best Quotes
07:11 - 07:25
• "I think we need to be curious and we need to ask questions. And I do believe, just like you said, COVID really opened up people's minds about vaccines because exactly what you said, like if we have something that can save your life or prevent you from getting sick, that's great."
10:15 - 10:20
• "I'm a doctor, I'm a pediatrician, I'm a great pediatrician. If anyone was gonna know it should be me, and I didn't know most of it." 12:59 - 13:06
• "We really need smart people talking to each other and, and disagreeing and, and, and kind of talking about these, these subjects."
13:40 - 13:48
• "And it's really tough for parents when you have all that information. And it's tough for me because I see that and I'm like, it, it's just, it's really tough, you know?"
20:22 - 20:27
• "But I do think they wanna have a better understanding of what the risks are."
In this week's episode, I am joined by Dana Grant! Dana Grant is an International Master Life and Business Coach, keynote speaker, and podcast host dedicated to guiding individuals toward transformative personal and professional growth.
With a background as a business executive, Dana transitioned into coaching to help clients overcome limiting beliefs and achieve radical change.
In 2016, Dana co-founded Cali'Flour Foods, a multi-million dollar food company, reflecting her commitment to holistic health. She later sold the company in 2017 to fully dedicate herself to her coaching career.
Dana's journey is marked by resilience and a commitment to self-love, as she has overcome personal challenges to inspire others to embrace their true potential.
Key Points
• Healing via self-love and not shame
• Curiosity fosters presence and interest
• Energy fields affect our interactions
• Transforming pain into self-love
• Authentic energy as the true magnet
Best Quotes
08:21 - 08:28
• "Isn't it interesting how we have so much patience for other people and their journey, but we don't have any for ourselves?"
08:30 - 08:38
• "You know, there's a lot of truth to that. I can get very impatient. But you know what I've learned, and I think, I think it's, I'm gonna say mature, maybe an age thing."
11:44 - 11:52
• "We have to identify, and I look at life as a switchboard. You know, I, it was before my time, but, you know, in 1950s, they had all those little plugin switchboards." 14:41 - 14:46
• "If you find yourself feeling like you have to get smaller, you are in the wrong room."
18:38 - 18:49
• "What you just described is the benefit of failure and then leaning into that failure and building upon it. Yeah. Because every time we fail, yeah. We learn something exponential." 20:10 - 20:20
• "And the power in there of the framing with I ams. I mean, I am is such a powerful start to anything because you're you, we wanna visualize."
In this week's episode, I am joined by Tyler Dickerhoof! Tyler is a renowned mentor and advisor for entrepreneurs and executives who are seeking effective leadership guidance.
He has led an organization of over 250,000 individuals and supported his wife, Kelley, in becoming one of the top 5 income earners at Isagenix.
His expertise in leadership is highly sought after by leaders of all types who want to elevate their teams to new levels. He serves on the Maxwell Network Marketing Advisory Council, the High Capacity Leaders Council, and is a Certified Maxwell Leadership Coach.
Growing up and working in the agriculture industry, Tyler witnessed firsthand the tough and challenging nature of leadership. This upbringing and experience have driven him to grow and transform himself to be able to lead and connect with all types of people, in all industries. But it wasn't always that way.
Tyler used to believe that his worth was derived from how much he knew, so his life was very much about convincing others that he knew it all. Any time he faced challenges, he would simply put his head down and push his way through them, eventually pushing away all of those close to him, too.
Now, his mission in life is to provide others with the self-awareness, the tools, and the community they need to make the same miraculous transformation.
Tyler created the Impact Driven Leader Podcast, Awaken the Leader Within Course and the Impact Driven Leader Roundtable, a supportive community that gives members the space to be vulnerable, become wholly self-aware, and grow into the best version of themselves. Key Points
• Infuse love into leadership roles
• Practice and refine personal growth daily
• Leadership is serving, not asserting control
• Importance of belief in self and others
• The impact of vulnerability on connection
Best Quotes
22:54 - 23:04
• "If we can come to grips with our own or understand how someone else is manifesting theirs, we can enhance the relationship, build a connection, and then we can do so much more." 34:39 - 34:45
• "Because the idea to be the best employee is to be the leader, right. To, to start leading yourself."
45:59 - 46:10
• "If we can get them in a place of growing, of learning, of seeing trust and quality relationships, they're building a culture and the right kind of cultures people wanna be a part of."
47:05 - 47:15
• "Belief is a superpower belief in yourself that you can do anything and there's no holding back belief from someone else in you."
54:23 - 54:34
• "Empathy is putting your arms around people and walking with them. So a leader that is empathetic, that's willing to put their arms around others and walk with them won't feel lonely."
In this week's episode, I am joined by Jayne Mattingly! Jayne Mattingly is a disability advocate and eating disorder recovery coach. She is the CEO of Recovery Love and Care, a global virtual eating disorder recovery coaching curriculum and training program.
She is also the Founder of the non-for-profit The AND Initiative, which aims to provide inspiration, advocacy, resources, support, and the gifting mobility aids to those with chronic illness and physical disabilities.
At age twenty-seven, Jayne was in a routine barre class when she suddenly lost the ability to move her body. By age 32, she went from healthy and able bodied, to someone who had undergone 19 brain and spine surgeries plus procedures and a total hysterectomy. She used a rollator on her wedding day.
Now, at 35, she relies on her wheelchair, rollator, and her service dog Wheatie (who she wrote about for Today.com).
Diagnosed with intracranial hypertension and Ehlers- Danlos syndrome, Jayne experienced an immense amount of what she has coined as Body Grief. Jayne has become a leading voice in disability advocacy.
She has been featured on NBC News, Apartment Therapy, Pushing Forward Podcast, Business Insider, and more.
Jayne's motivational and hopeful journey as a newly disabled woman and chronically ill woman speaks to the body grief we all experience -- from puberty to menopause to infertility, pregnancy loss, gender dysphoria, disability and chronic illness, to injury, food allergies and more -- and teaches us how to cope, heal, and ultimately better understand our feelings around our bodies. From feelings of anger and betrayal to a place where gratitude can exist alongside grief. Key Points
• Body grief is a universal experience.
• Disabilities come with discrimination and empathy.
• Marriage transforms with illness onset.
• Surrendering aids acceptance of physical changes.
• Coping mechanisms are essential for growth.
Best Quotes
02:09 - 02:22
• "And so then I was, you know, helping people work through their eating disorders. And I also went to school and, you know, specialized in eating disorders and body image, but also specialized in grief."
03:21 - 03:33
• "I lost my sight completely, like went blind and the lower half of my body stopped working. And you know, long story short, I was diagnosed with intracranial hypertension."
04:10 - 04:19
• "I can't do, my body can't do anymore. How am I supposed to love my body now? And that's when I really realized like, this is body grief."
05:59 - 06:07
• "It's not just a disability issue. It's not just a female issue, a woman issue. It is an everybody issue, and there's no hierarchy to suffering."
11:44 - 11:54
• "I've looked, I looked at him before we got engaged and I was like, you can leave. Like, you don't have to stay with me. And he was like, why would I do that? Like, I love you."
In this week's episode, I am joined by Dr. Don Wood!
Dr. Don Wood, PhD, is the visionary behind TIPP and a leading expert in trauma resolution.
With years of research in neuroscience, he has helped thousands of people overcome their trauma-rooted challenges, empowering them to transform their lives.
As the author of "You Must Be Out of Your Mind" and "Emotional Concussions", Dr. Wood's groundbreaking work has gained international recognition.
His program has been featured in numerous media outlets and has profoundly impacted high performers, trauma survivors, and anyone seeking peace, clarity, and a more inspired life.
Key Points
• Overcoming trauma to unleash potential
• Emotional concussions impact behaviors
• Addiction as a symptom, not a disease
• Corporate culture transformed by healing
• Enhanced performance through mental fitness
Best Quotes
• "She realized that she didn't marry me because she loved me. She married me because I was secure, and she never had security and safety."
• "I believe sexual abuse is the number one pandemic in the world. It's everywhere."
• "Once people go through the program, we reset the system, we resolve the trauma, their traumas resolved, inflammation comes down, immune system comes up."
• "So through the research, what I discovered is this unresolved trauma that keeps running. And so that's going to create inflammation."
• "The genes that regulate inflammation upregulate, the genes that regulate the immune system downregulate."
• "If we're in a danger situation, a fight or flight or threatening situation, our system is protecting us."
For more information about Dr. Don Wood: https://www.inspiredperformanceinstitute.comute.com/
In this week's episode, I am joined by Laysha Ward! Laysha Ward is an accomplished C-suite executive with 32 years of leadership experience at Target Corporation.
She most recently served as the retailer's Executive Vice President, Chief External Engagement Officer, overseeing its enterprise-wide approach to stakeholder relations.
Laysha grew up in a small town in rural Indiana with a population of 700. She began her educational journey at a program for low-income children and families. From first grade through senior year, she was the only Black girl in her class.
She began her career as a frontline team member on the salesfloor at Marshall Field's in Chicago.
Today, she is one of the nation's top black female C-suite executives who teaches how to lead with meaning. In her groundbreaking, inspiring, and holistic approach to leadership, Laysha breaks down the skills and self-work required for fulfilling a life with purpose, leading others, and living out a life of meaning at any and every stage.
Laysha believes that when you lead with meaning, you are taking a holistic approach that blends your life and career.
Her new book, "Lead Like You Mean It; Lessons on Integrity and Purpose from the C-Suite" launches on Feb 18, 2025! Key Points
• Purpose-driven leadership keys
• Integrity's role in career success
• Value of authentic relationships
• Balancing work and personal life
• Embracing life's imperfections
Best Quotes
01:58 - 02:03
• "But I also have an amazing lived experience as a girl from small town rural America."
02:04 - 02:10
• "And everything that I've done in between really has given me a unique vantage point on leadership."
03:12 - 03:24
• "The book really becomes a platform for me to offer up more of those lessons, more of a roadmap, to share more broadly with people."
03:40 - 03:47
• "Because that's what's at the core of lead, like you mean it, right? Those are the four guiding principles of lead. Like you mean it."
09:53 - 10:07
• "And so the book talks about flourishing together, and I use examples of not only my husband Bill, who is quite the character and very lovable, so I really encourage folks to read that, that portion of the book."
15:59 - 16:11
• "And so if we just make that foundational and understood, we can begin to work openly, candidly, honestly, towards making sure that every day we have the support that we need to do our best and be our best."
23:46 - 23:56
• "We are all human. That we are all worthy, that we are all a student and a teacher and have something to give and are worthy of also receiving."
45:53 - 45:59
• "I call it strategic serendipity. Things may not happen when you want 'em, but they're always right on time."
In this week's episode, I am joined by John R. Miles! John R. Miles is a globally recognized authority on leadership, intentional behavior change, and unlocking human potential. A Navy veteran, senior executive, and CEO turned thought leader, John's journey bridges the worlds of Fortune 50 leadership, entrepreneurial innovation, and personal transformation.
As a former senior executive at Dell and Lowe's, John spearheaded transformational initiatives in leadership development, technology, and culture, impacting millions of employees and customers worldwide.
His C-level expertise uniquely positions him to speak directly to the challenges and opportunities faced by leaders navigating today's fast-changing landscape.
John is the creator and host of the award-winning Passion Struck Podcast, which has surpassed 55 million downloads and was named the #1 Alternative Health Podcast in over 70 countries. Recognized with the Davey Award for Social Impact, the podcast inspires a global audience of CEOs, entrepreneurs, and changemakers with its actionable insights and bold ideas.
As the best-selling author of Passion Struck: Twelve Powerful Principles to Unlock Your Purpose and Ignite Your Most Intentional Life, John offers a groundbreaking guide for leaders and individuals to bridge the gap between potential and action. Drawing on decades of leadership experience and deep research into behavioral science, he provides practical strategies to achieve clarity, purpose, and transformational results.
Each week on Passion Struck, John engages with the world's most influential thinkers and leaders, including Gary Vaynerchuk, Susan Cain, Dr. BJ Fogg, Jamie Kern Lima, Gretchen Rubin, Admiral Stavridis, and Dr. Mark Hyman.
John's mission is to empower leaders to cultivate thriving cultures, inspire their teams, and lead with purpose!
Key Points
• The shift from village to global village
• Significance: The essence of existence
• The epidemic of disconnection in society
• Gardner leadership versus servant leadership
• Reinvention: Key to passion-struck living
Best Quotes
03:57 - 04:09
• "It's this profound sense that your life and your existence have purpose, that your actions hold weight, and that one's presence makes a meaningful difference in the world."
16:08 - 16:24
• "It was this opposite that I talk about with mattering. It was this, this i, this individualistic look at it that look at what I can build, look at how I can do something, look at what I control."
23:19 - 23:29
• "So to me, what this culture of mattering really comes down to is creating this environment where others feel valued, trusted, and empowered to excel."
30:45 - 30:59
• "LinkedIn did this survey in 2022, and they said they found that 94% of employees would've stayed longer at a company if they invested more in a person's development in and outside of work."
33:29 - 33:35
• "One of the things that I highlight early on in the book is the need for reinvention."
35:00 - 35:05
• "Passion struck really is all about how do you le lead a life of significance."
42:21 - 42:29
• "Because when you feel, when you make people feel valued, you create a ripple effect that strengthens families, workplaces, and communities."
In this week's episode, I am joined by Dr. Rachel Glik!
Dr. Glik is a licensed professional counselor with 30+ years as a couples and individual therapist in private practice.
Since 2014, she has been a regular feature on the Fox 2 AM show in St. Louis as a relationship and mental health expert. The show's executive producer summed up her role on the show this way, "Dr. Glik gets to the heart of what we deal with every day—our relationship with ourselves and each other."
Rachel is a featured author for MindBodyGreen, an online magazine reaching over 10 million readers each month.
Rachel has taught and created workshops for organizations such as: YPO, Onevillage, University of Missouri, The Kabbalah Centre International, and Psychotherapy Saint Louis.
She is a featured guest of podcasts such as Weekly Energy Boost and SageAdvice with Melissa.
As many are goal setting for the new year, couples therapist Dr. Rachel Glik (EdD, LPC) encourages us to think beyond our personal goals to shared relationships as well.
Whether you are looking to expand an already strong connection or heal old wounds that stay persistently fresh, Dr. Glik draws from over 30 years of hands-on experience to discuss the proven techniques for growth in her upcoming book, A SOULFUL MARRIAGE: Healing Your Relationship With Responsibility, Growth, Priority, and Purpose (Morehouse Publishing) February 4th, 2025.
Key Points
- Importance of energy investment in relationships
- The four pillars of a successful marriage
- Significance of prioritizing your partner
- Embracing the dynamic nature of family life
- Finding purpose in your relationship journey
Best Quotes 02:23 - 02:27
• "I had to start really reflecting within and being more authentic and true to myself."
03:01 - 03:09
• "The soul searching is really where the life model for me came from. And it came from the fact that life is always imbalanced."
33:00 - 33:07
• "And really trusting the process that whatever challenge is happening, it's for the good, it's for the benefit to really embrace it so that you can grow."
36:42 - 36:46
• "To be happy, we have to also sometimes go against what we feel like doing."
39:19 - 39:27
• "But you started out by saying, you know, I'm the writer and I'm the therapist, but my husband was the spine as we pulled this project together."
In this episode of The High Performance Life podcast, I sit down with Stephan Kesting—firefighter, adventurer, martial artist, and author—to explore his life-changing battle with kidney disease and the incredible journey of survival and self-discovery that followed.
Stephan has spent over 40 years traversing the Canadian North, both solo and as a guide. A Masters graduate in biology from McGill University, he combines his deep appreciation for nature with his extensive experience in high-risk environments, including 25 years as a firefighter, where he was awarded the Canadian National Medal for Bravery.
When faced with the physical and mental challenges of a kidney transplant, Stephan knew he had to push past his limits. To reclaim his strength, he embarked on a six-week solo expedition in the unforgiving Canadian sub-arctic, navigating polar bears, arctic storms, forest fires, and treacherous rapids—all while battling self-doubt and the ever-present risk of a single fatal mistake.
We dive into his new book, Perseverance, and unpack the themes of resilience, risk-taking, and how nature serves as a powerful tool for healing and self-reflection. Whether you're looking for inspiration, a new perspective on overcoming adversity, or a deeper appreciation for the wilderness, this conversation is packed with insights you won't want to miss.
Key Takeaways:- Pushing past physical and mental limits creates true resilience. - The wilderness offers clarity, healing, and a unique space for introspection. - In both adventure and life, risk can be managed through planning and adaptability. - Taking action in the face of fear leads to growth. - Self-doubt is a constant battle - Legacy is about how you live, not what you leave behind. True impact comes from the way you face life's challenges.
In this week's episode, I am joined by Rene Rodriguez!
We break down the Amplify methodology, the power of storytelling, and why movement—not confidence—fuels progress.
Rene shares powerful insights on the narrative gap in leadership, how our brains fill in missing pieces with assumptions, and why leaders must reclaim their stories to guide their teams effectively.
We also explore the importance of self-awareness, overcoming a victim mentality, and the role of psychological safety in strong organizations.
René is a best-selling author, keynote speaker, leadership advisor, and transformational speaker coach.
For the last 27 years, René has been researching and applying behavioral neuroscience to solve some of the toughest challenges in leadership, sales, and change.
As an entrepreneur and CEO of multiple companies, René integrates a practical business approach that inspires his audiences to take action.
Through his keynote, boot camps, workshops and proprietary AMPLIFII™ course, he helps us own our backstory to build the frame for not only our unique value propositions but also a beautiful picture of life.
He is the author of WSJ Best Selling Book, Amplify Your Influence, which was selected as a Best Business Book 2022 by Summary.com.
René has also shared the stage with Ed Mylett, Tony Robbins, Jon Gordon, Gary Vaynerchuk, Ryan Holiday, and many more.
Key Points
Influence is everywhere
Movement creates confidence
The brain fills narrative gaps with assumptions
Psychological safety is key
Reframing changes reality
Self-awareness fuels growth
To learn more about Rene: https://www.meetrene.com/
In this episode, I dive into the double-edged sword that is our phones.
On one hand, they offer incredible convenience, but on the other, they can harm our personal connections and relationships.
I talk about how phones can become addictive, distract us from real-life interactions, and even affect the quality of our relationships—especially for younger generations.
I share my thoughts on the importance of being present, fostering deeper connections, and finding balance between embracing technology and nurturing the people around us.
Let's explore how we can create more meaningful interactions and bring creativity back into our lives.
Key Points
• Overuse of phones hinders connections.
• Presence lost to smartphone screens.
• Social scrolling can numb the soul.
• Phones vs. personal goals for youth.
• Intimacy matters more than screentime.
Best Quotes
01:57 - 02:01
• "The number one thing the phone takes away from in our lives is personal connection."
03:19 - 03:29
• "The trap of social media scrolling is, is deadening. I mean, our souls just leave our body during this experience."
04:11 - 04:18
• "But if I'm learning incessantly, I'm not taking a break to think, I'm not taking you a break to actually be present where I'm at."
09:43 - 09:49
• "There's nothing lonelier than than sitting with this phone because it's just you and it."
12:55 - 13:03
• "Nothing can replace the connection we feel between each other. Nothing can replace how we feel when we're laughing with friends in person."
In this week's episode, I talk about my journey from chasing the wrong things in life to surrendering to a bigger purpose.
I share stories from my career, including the mindset shift that inspired me to create a charitable wine festival, which completely redefined my goals.
I highlight how letting go of material desires and aligning my work with a greater purpose has brought me both personal fulfillment and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on my community.
Key Points
• It's impact over income for genuine success
• Surrender to purpose yields life's riches
• Charitable visions can multiply into millions
• Realizing self-worth trumps net worth
• Serving others becomes the ultimate goal
Best Quotes
02:04 - 02:11
• "I can remember my mom telling me that if I could just put a thousand dollars in my checking account and forget it, I would never bounce a check."
05:53 - 06:02
• "The impact that we just made was a hundred thousand dollars to the cancer center and, and $75,000 to other charities."
07:24 - 07:35
• "I started to reframe the way that I actually looked at things, surrendering, knowing that there's something bigger than me, that God's guiding me and I just made an impact that I hadn't dreamed of."
08:54 - 08:58
• "I was chasing impact, I had the confidence to bet on myself."
13:36 - 13:44
• "You have to detach yourself from the result and attach yourself to the work. You have to reevaluate your goals."
14:32 - 14:41
• "It's really a matter of finding what you're great at and building towards that, knowing that you're going to build towards something that's gonna make an impact on the world."
In this weeks episode, I am joined by EMMA SEPPÄLÄ, Ph.D Emma is a best-selling author, Yale lecturer, and international keynote speaker.
She teaches executives at the Yale School of Management and is faculty director of the Yale School of Management's Women's Leadership Program.
A psychologist and research scientist by training, her expertise is the science of happiness, emotional intelligence, and social connection.
Her best-selling book The Happiness Track (2016) has been translated into dozens of languages.
Her new book is Sovereign (2024).
Seppälä is also the Science Director of Stanford University's Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education.
Emma's research has been published in top academic journals and featured in major news outlets like The New York Times, The Washington Post, NPR, and CBSNews. She speaks and consults internationally for Fortune 500 companies like Google and Facebook and contributes to Harvard Business Review, The Washington Post, Psychology Today, and TIME among others.
A repeat guest on Good Morning America, Emma also spoke at TedX Sacramento and TEDx Hayward. Her research on breathing for military veterans with trauma was highlighted in the documentary Free the Mind. She is also featured in documentaries like The Altruism Revolution, What You Do Matters, and Bullied.
Emma is the recipient of a number of research grants and service awards including the James W. Lyons Award from Stanford University for founding Stanford's first academic class on the psychology of happiness and initiating other well-being programs for Stanford students.
Key Points
• Life's joy lies in compassion balance.
• Discover inner freedom & sovereignty.
• Intuition & awareness are happiness keys.
• Downtime sparks genius and intuition.
• True charisma is simply being present. Best Quotes05:30 - 05:38
• "When you do take time away from the stimulation, you actually access your innovative potential, your greatest sort of genius ideas." 06:39 - 06:49
• "So in a way, you know, being in a meditative place, whether you're doing meditation, which I highly recommend given all the research on it, but, or downtime where you're, you know, we used to sit in the bus and just stare out the window."
13:23 - 13:27
• "So charismatic people make you feel like you're the only one person in the room. Like, how do they do that?" 32:43 - 32:53
• "That's loyalty. Loyalty comes out of a, a deep human connection with another person who had your back, who was, who positively inclined towards you."
32:59 - 33:06
• "And, and those moments, you know, after food and shelter, our greatest need is for positive social connection, like you said, those micro moments of upliftment."
44:56 - 45:09
• "It's so painful, you know? And then also with the, you know, in my neighborhood, like all the teens are just on their phone waiting for the bus, going home, walking on the phone, and not looking up at the trees and the birds and nature."
This week, I am joined by Judah Taub! Judah is the Managing Partner & Co-Founder of Hetz Ventures.
Before founding Hetz, Judah was Head of Data at Lansdowne Partners ($20B London-based Hedge Fund) as well as advising multiple young start-ups. Judah was also elected as one of Forbes 30 Under 30 for 2020.
It's no secret that AI is everywhere (55% of Americans use AI daily), and there is growing concern about AI taking jobs and helping students cheat.
However, 60% of teachers use AI in their curriculum and say it helps them with their efficiency. CNBC sites that AI skills help you land a job and get promoted so why wouldn't schools take the opportunity to prepare students?
In his new book, How to Move Up When the Only Way Is Down, Judah discusses how we can face complex decisions, or overcome obstacles to personal or professional goals. The book is designed to transform readers' decision-making by recognizing Local Maximums and skill building based on lessons from AI.
Key Points
• AI's dual-nature impact on society
• Overcoming 'local maximums' for growth
• Optimism in AI's advancement
• AI's impact on education
• Tools simplifying life's complexities
Best Quotes
03:32 - 03:47
• "AI prevents, it presents a real opportunity to take some of the good things even further. And at the same time, it could be used and it probably will also be used in some negative ways."
07:44 - 08:01
• "I think of it as impact, and we talked about this in the beginning. I think of it from the impact that you can make and every time you can elevate your stage and you could create a larger impact on the world, it's really powerful. And I, I see that in AI and I think I'm like you, I just wanna see the optimistic side of it."
12:22 - 12:43
• "So the basics of computers start off with if not, and while these are the basics of every computer, and what happened was we humans taught computers, human logic, we taught computers how to think, and computers have now gotten so good at certain types of problems..."
30:08 - 30:23
• "It's a great question. I feel very confident in my high level approach, which I will describe. And when it comes to the practical sort of day-to-day, I can give you a direction, but I think that comes down to the teachers."
In this week's episode, I am joined by Shawn Harper! Shawn Harper knows what it feels like to face unfathomable circumstances and still make it through to the winning side.
Imagine graduating last in your class with a 1.62 GPA, being voted most likely to fail, yet finding your way to the NFL and becoming a successful business owner.
Shawn never settled for failure. While attending Indiana State University, he set his mind on playing in the NFL. After graduation, he was immediately drafted, beginning a 7-year career as an offensive lineman with the LA Rams, Tennessee Titans, Indianapolis Colts, and NFL Europe.
Shortly after his NFL career, Shawn founded his thriving multi-million-dollar security firm, American Services and Protection. He translated the skills and disciplines he learned from the NFL into success in corporate America.
Known as "The Winologist," Shawn is now one of the nation's leading motivational speakers. He breaks down elite strategies used by professional athletes into simple concepts to help others win in business and life.
His paradigm-shifting approach has transformed thousands of individuals and corporations by reframing their mindset from success to winning, activating their greatest potential to compete and dominate at the highest levels.
Author of the best-seller The Winning Edge, Shawn also serves on the board of the King's Ransom Foundation. He is actively involved in his church and is a loving husband, father, and dedicated family man.
Key Points
• Vulnerabilities of high achievers
• Faith as a lifelong guidepost
• Discipline, the backbone of strong leaders
• Teamwork is essential for success
Best Quotes
05:52 - 06:11
• "It's absolutely amazing. And I might say the battle, the battle is remaining Christ remain at the center to fortify, to purify, to electrify all of my motives, actions, and thoughts." 08:29 - 08:37
• "One of the lessons, Jackie taught me was that you always have the proper perspective of what you're doing and where you're at."
17:56 - 18:00
• "When you push yourself to that limit, the breakthrough is like astronomical."
18:50 - 19:00
• "When a bone broke, if it's set, when it heals, if it's set right, man, it comes back even stronger." 26:36 - 26:45
• "Because you'll perform so much that you become a stranger to you. You don't even know who you are to yourself anymore."
30:51 - 31:02
• "If I could be really honest and really, really transparent, and, and, and, and a lot of people might not understand this, but it's okay. It's a slow death."
In this week's episode, I am joined by Mike Foster!
Known as the Mr. Rogers of personal development, Mike Foster is a best-selling author, speaker, and executive coach empowering people to build strong lives by turning their setbacks into superpowers.
Mike is the creator of the Primal Question Framework and is a master-trainer in the model. He is a Certified Experiential Specialist recognized by the International Society For Experiential Professionals.
Like a grace-flavored snow cone on a hot, judgmental day, Mike's chart-topping and highly acclaimed Primal Question Podcast will give you the one-two punch you need to stop making excuses and start living a stronger, better life.
His work has been featured on Good Morning America, FOXNews and the New York Times.
Key Points • Primal questions define our identity
• Parenting influenced by primal needs
• Simplicity is key in personal growth
• Learn the "Primal Question" technique
• Understanding core drivers empowers us
Best Quotes
05:51 - 06:00
• "I think the, the thing that's so exciting about this work is I really believe in just human potential."
11:18 - 11:31
• "And we have, you know, I always say like, personal and doing this work and really understanding the, your primal question, how it drives your life, it's an opportunity to say, I'm on to me, okay." 12:28 - 12:42
• "This is why we have these conversations about kind of the core drivers of our life, understanding what is the need that we have that is asking for us to pay attention to it and start paying attention to it, start working on it."
15:48 - 16:12
• "I've never seen comparison create transformation. I've seen, you know, me actually doing the inner work, me getting honest with myself, me taking ownership of my life, me having wise mentors come alongside and challenge me. I've seen that produced transformation, but never through just straight up deluge of co compare comparing myself to other people."
30:46 - 31:02
• "You know, one of the things that's was really exciting about the research when we say research was five years of research, 6,000 hours of one-on-one interviews, 22 group labs, 32,000 assessments that come up with this framework."
31:50 - 31:57
• "Your whole orientation in relationship is about you helping people be successful."
38:33 - 38:40
• "The whole point of we take our own primal question and we place it over everybody else and assume they're asking the same question."
In this week's episode, I am joined by James Whittaker!
James has interviewed more than 600 of the world's leading change-makers to unlock their secrets to success. His work has been translated into 15+ languages and his book Think and Grow Rich: The Legacy is a modern companion to the bestselling self-help book of all time.
James has personally coached Olympic gold medallists, billion-dollar CEOs, and special forces operators. After a successful career in financial planning where he led an adviser team with $2 billion under management, James began his own entrepreneurial journey.
Today, through his podcast, social content, and media appearances, he helps two million people each month to Win the Day®. With an eclectic background, James' superpower is helping ambitious but frustrated people gain immediate clarity on what they want and giving them a bulletproof plan to achieve it.
He has been featured extensively in television, print, and digital media around the world, including The Today Show, Entrepreneur, Money Magazine, and The Australian. In 2019, James launched the Win the Day podcast that has now amassed 60 million views in 130+ countries.
He is author of the bestselling personal finance and motivation book "The Beginner's Guide to Wealth", named book of the month by Money Magazine.
Obsessed with what separates ordinary people from extraordinary achievers, James has interviewed 600+ of the world's top performers to unlock their secrets to success and in 2022, he was named in the '40 Under Forty in Podcasting' global list by Podcast Magazine.
Key Points
• Embrace 'Win the Day' philosophy
• The impact of intentional living
• Growth through genuine connection • Success is more than money.
• Maximize potential, maximize impact.
• Build your brand with concentrated effort.
Best Quotes
03:15 - 03:23
• "It's really, really important to me that legacy is not something we leave behind. It's something that we build for the present, for the people who depend on us most." 04:53 - 04:58
• "It's such a powerful lesson in concentrated effort when all of these different things come for you."
07:45 - 07:54
• "Every single day, I am just blown away. But I, I wrote down what am I feeling gratitude for this morning was for being consistent with that journal practice."
34:42 - 34:49
• "The poverty conscience will automatically overtake any mind that is not preoccupied with being success conscious."
In this week's episode, I am joined by Dr. Matt Chalmers! Dr. Matt Chalmers is a health and wellness expert, author and speaker who specializes in the areas of long-term wellness, nutrition, women's health, weight loss, athlete wellness and holistic healing.
With a client list that includes professional athletes, business executives, politicians and celebrities, Dr. Chalmers takes a holistic-based approach with patients to identify and treat the source of their issues.
Medical doctors regularly refer patients to Dr. Chalmers when traditional medications and treatments are not working with their patients.
Dr. Chalmers works with patients to identify, treat and manage a wide variety of issues, including weight loss/gain, digestive problems, chronic fatigue, pain, injuries, celiac disease, chiropractic problems, fibromyalgia, carpal tunnel syndrome and plantar fasciitis.
He also provides patients with hormone therapy guidance and treatment. Dr. Chalmers is the author of the bestselling book "Pillars of Wellness", which helps readers cut through the information overload about wellness, exercise and diet to figure out the actions they can take that will have the greatest impact. Key Points
• Chemistry, not calories, fuels our body
• Testosterone as a healing hormone
• Sleep quality is key for muscle repair
• Cannabis to potentially replace opioids
• Real-life impact of hormone balance
Best Quotes04:04 - 04:08
• "You can have anything you want if you're willing to work for it. That's the thing I learned from sports."
05:42 - 05:59
• "And it's teaching him all these ways to be aware and to be out in front and to learn that at 14, 15 years old versus waiting until you're 27 and your $20 million contract depends upon whether or not your hamstrings running or not is so valuable." 10:08 - 10:15
• "if I can teach you how to be healthy, you parents, you can teach your kids how to be healthy. And now we've started changing the whole, the whole dynamic."
10:16 - 10:22
• "we don't need the drugs, we don't need the labels of a DD, we don't need those things. We just need to get the body chemically healthier the way it was designed to be."
22:57 - 23:05
• "Knowledge should, like the more you know the, the, the difference you, you should have. Like I quit drinking, I quit drinking last year for the, for the bodybuilding thing."
41:46 - 41:49
• "The vast majority of men are primary or secondary love language is physical touch."
On this week's episode, I am joined by Pejman Ghadimi! Pejman is a self-made entrepreneur, philosopher, and author of the best-selling books "Third Circle Theory" & "RADIUS". Pejman is a true "come up from nothing" story. He and his mother escaped as refugees from Iran to Paris when he was a young child, before making their way to America around the age of 12. Over the last 20 years, Pegman has built a multitude of businesses ranging from investment firms to a series of online education businesses! Pejman is the perfect example of how resourcefulness, hard work, and self-education are the most powerful keys to the life you want!
Key Points• The evolution of the American dream.
• High earning skills vs. high wages.
• Insights on self-awareness and business growth
• Financial education vs. outdated systems
• Mindset shifts in education.
Best Quotes
02:41 - 02:48
• "So, you know, the turning point was really nothing more than just realizing that there's work and there isn't work elsewhere."
04:13 - 04:22
• "And unfortunately, you may not have the necessary skills to actually start working on your dreams." 07:34 - 07:41
• "Wealthy people don't want their children to do the exact same thing that they did. They want them to start from a new point."
11:33 - 11:48
• "So, you know, I would say that, you know, today I feel really bad for those people, but I think that just like, I found a way to kind of make ends meet during those times until I was able to receive a green card, until I was able to basically have a normal path going through the process, which did take eight years or so."
12:36 - 12:42
• "So, you know, I I think it's one of these things where there isn't a one size fits all, you know, that where, where there's a solution to this."
48:26 - 48:40
• "And then finally when I became conscious, I looked back again at the entire journey and basically filled in the gap by creating data choice, which was how language is basically the missing component of consciousness that people aren't talking about."
In this week's episode, I am joined by Lauren Zander!
Lauren created the Handel Method, founded the Handel Group, and has been coaching and leading the world to Human Better for over 20 years.
Lauren is also the creator of Inner.U: Learn to Human Better®, the online coaching course that teaches the entirety of The Handel Method, a method that has been used by dozens of celebrities, CEOs, and entrepreneurs since 2004 and is endorsed by Conscious Capitalism as its learning platform of choice for its members and leaders.
Lauren is also the author of Maybe It's You (Published by Hachette Book Group, April 2017), a no-nonsense, practical manual that helps readers figure out not just what they want out of life, but how to actually get there.
Lauren has spent over 20 years coaching thousands of private clients: entrepreneurs, couples, families, professors, politicians, Emmy, Peabody and Academy Award-winning artists, Grammy-winning musicians, and Fortune 500 CEOs.
Her corporate clients have included executives from Live Nation, Ticketmaster, Sony BMG, The New York Times, News Corp, J. Walter Thompson Agency, Citibank, Dropbox, LinkedIn, Uniworld, The Gap Inc., BASF, NYU Langone Medical Center, and Vogue.
She has fixed corporate business relationships, mediated contract negotiations, reconciled marriages, and helped resolve complex family issues.
In the early 2000s, Lauren created a groundbreaking methodology, The Handel Method®, which is supported by top educators and psychologists, and has been developed and taught in over 50 major universities and institutes of learning across the country, including MIT, Stanford Graduate School of Business, Stanford Medical School, NYU, Columbia, Yale School of Drama, Wesleyan, Fordham, Rutgers, Middlebury College, Scripps Research.
Key Points
• Discover your dreams in life's 12 areas
• Unleash creativity alongside professional life
• Use music as a powerful healing tool
• Shift from knowing to actively doing
• Building relationships with authenticity
Best Quotes
02:11 - 02:23
• "I even call it like, I didn't, I, well, first of all, I wasn't an artist till much later in life about 10 or 12 years ago when my kids were, I, they didn't need me anymore that way."
03:26 - 03:36
• "That's really one of the ways I roll, right? Like the, the mystery of what our own higher self would answer if we actually asked it on a regular basis." 04:33 - 04:42
• "Yeah. And, and the reason I set it up for eight hours straight, eight, you know, seven days a week was, it would have to be something you would love to do."
40:45 - 41:01
• "I think our parents didn't have the same, don't shoot me for saying this everyone, but I think our parents had no choice but to have children at a much younger age that it was like get, you couldn't get laid unless you got pinned."
51:38 - 51:49
• "I don't coach my children though. My youngest definitely asked for coaching and, and calls me when she needs, like I get called when they need it actually, which is beautiful."
In this week's episode I am joined by Lia Valencia Key! Lia's story of homelessness to launching a jewelry brand in over 100 million homes is one of deep inspiration, perserverance, faith, and love! Lia created Valencia Key Jewelry company which was launched on QVC! Valencia Key Jewelry has also been featured in Oprah Magazine 2020 Favorite Things Issue, Mel Robbins Show, and Speak on the Stage with Brendon Burchard, Ed Mylett, and Tony Robbins! Lia reaches back to where she comes from donating and educating women in homeless shelters on the "Keys to Light" and how to rise out of rough environments! Lia is a living example that all things are possible by rooting into the power of choosing joy, believing, and radiating light! Lia's mantra is: "If I can, YOU Definitley Can"! Key Points
• Trajectory of change from homeless to leader
• Crafting positivity and energy in every communication
• Power of choice changes lives.
• Trauma can seed transformation.
• Love fuels the quest for better.
• Dreams and millimeter movements
Best Quotes 05:52 - 06:04
• "There's a divine whisper, there's a inner light, there's a destiny inside of you, and all you have to do is choose to lead your life towards your destiny." 06:47 - 06:56
• "But you have the choice to decide, do I love myself enough and do I understand the love of God enough to listen to something that is unseen?" 07:35 - 07:48
• "No matter what, like when I'm failing, when my business is in struggle, how am I gonna show up? Am I gonna show up in sorrow and negativity and anger?"
08:15 - 08:23
• "It's the power of the curiosity of wondering why we failed at something, what we could do differently, how we can learn."
11:19 - 11:24
• "We love permission. And that gave me permission to listen to my truth."
31:26 - 31:31
• "Love is not a pushover. Actually. Love stands up for the things that are Right."
I recently had a podcast where the conversation was all political... If you know me, you know that isn't my general conversation of choice. However, it did get me thinking about some things, such as:
Here are my thoughts!
In this week's episode, I am joined by Victoria Trammel! Victoria Trammel is a seasoned facilitator and leadership consultant who brings almost two decades of experience supporting the Intelligence Community to her work with Arbinger Institute, a world leader in mindset change.
Through training, consulting, coaching, and implementation programs, Arbinger enables individuals, teams, and organizations to change from the default self-focus of an inward mindset to the impact-focus of an outward mindset.
Victoria began her career in joint counterterrorism operations, igniting a love of instructional design and facilitation while supporting partners around the globe. She has indispensable hands on, real-world experience of creating organizational culture change through the Outward mindset.
She now thrilled to be sharing word about the new and revised 4th Edition of Arbinger's book Leadership and Self Deception: The Secret to Transforming Relationships and Unleashing Results. Victoria has a beautiful, blended family of 6 that enjoys planning vacations around experiencing different cultures through the power of food.
Key Points
• Self-deception's effect on marriages
• Curiosity: A High-Performer's Superpower
• Impact of little efforts on loved ones
• Self-deception can blind us
• Get curious to understand others' perspectives.
• Leadership evolves with empathy
Best Quotes
09:51 - 09:58
• "Well, and I think that curiosity is key, right? Because it's very easy for me as a leader to get up here and pontificate, right? I'm communicating."
11:19 - 11:23
• "It's, it's often when the other person paints you as something you're not."
14:34 - 14:39
• "And I think that's what, like, it's a great way to almost practice, right? Because it is a skill."
41:41 - 41:51
• "I think a lot of what we talk about at home is, is our kids, you know, we, we don't talk about necessarily inward versus outward, but we talk about understanding your impact on others, right?"
In this weeks episode, I am joined by Jason Drees!
Jason Drees is an entrepreneur, alignment coach, author, husband, and father of four boys based in Austin, Texas.
With more than 10,000 hours of coaching sessions delivered in his career, Jason catapults those he works with into success by disrupting old narratives and normalcy to partner with his clients to conquer limiting beliefs, remove resistance, upgrade their stories, and unlock unprecedented results.
He developed a proven 5-step framework to empower his clients to do the impossible in their lives. His creation of alignment coaching teaches others how to align with success at the level of their full potential rather than endlessly chasing results at the level of their problems.
He has mastered the process of helping clients into alignment to push high-performers - like Brandon Turner - to their limits and past their comfort zones to see accelerated growth, impact, and influence in everything they do.
No other coach can help clients annihilate "average" at its deepest level, and act as a catalyst of transformation to help them live and execute at their full potential like Jason Drees.
Key Points
• Change your mindset, change your reality
• From managing to mastering high performance
• Evolving beyond transactions to relationships
• Understanding the concept of alignment
• Transformative power of stillness and alignment
Best Quotes
05:17 - 05:23
• "So what I, that, that was actually the beginning of understanding what alignment is because prior to that, I thought you grind your way to success." 05:55 - 06:00 • "And then what actually happened in 2020 is I discovered there's a level above mindset called frame."
06:01 - 06:08
• "And by understanding that mindset, I started coaching at the, at the frame level versus the mindset level. And it started to shift anything."
06:10 - 06:14
• "Success doesn't come from hard work. Success comes from alignment with success."
22:51 - 22:58
• "The framework itself is five steps. The first one is what is alignment? And once you understand that process of alignment, we apply it in four different places."
A recent conversation I had got me thinking about energy, or in other words, the way you show up to the rest of the world. Energy is a crucial part of my life and one of the key pillars of The High Performance LIFE! So I thought it would be valuable to share this message with you!
In this week's episode, I am joined by Kelly Siegel!
Kelly Siegel is the CEO of National Technology Management (NTM). He has an educational background in criminal justice and sociology from Western Michigan University.
Kelly has been delivering results since running his first paper route as a twelve-year-old. Besides his goal to make NTM the gold standard of the IT industry, his mission in life is to leave a legacy, or in Kelly's words, "make a dent."
His relentless drive to better himself is breaking his family's cycle of abuse, addiction, and poverty. Kelly takes personal progress to the next level by continuously improving his physical, emotional, and mental health and performance by working out daily, reading voraciously, and practicing mindfulness.
You'll find him feeding people at spontaneous cookouts in his backyard, volunteering his time for causes close to his heart, and mentoring the next generation of leaders. Key Points
• Transforming childhood trauma into strength
• Achieving high performance through EQ
• Surrender is key to life's cheat code.
• Principles of surrender and gratitude in life
• Approaching politics with curiosity, not judgment
Best Quotes 03:17 - 03:27
• "It was probably on one of my podcasts when I had to do the final edits when they sent me the final manuscript and I cried like a baby."
04:17 - 04:25
• "And then after I, they said, and they were right. So we, right now, I think this morning we're number 12 in the country at self-improvement for harder than life."
06:07 - 06:18
• "I lived in the gap for most of my life. And the challenge is when you live in the gap is when you actually attain something you were working for, it's empty and you don't understand why."
07:51 - 08:10
• "Was that where you decided, was that the event where you decided to surrender because that's really what you're, what the moment you realize that you're not in control of this and you can surrender to whatever you call it, you're a Christian or Catholic, so you, it's God, it could be energy, it could be source, it could be anything"
12:26 - 12:32
• "So I would tell you that yes, you gotta fricking do the work, but you also have to detach from the outcome."
12:51 - 12:56
• "Marry the process, divorce the outcome, that's it. Get better every day and keep freaking grinding."
34:33 - 34:41
• "As I said, man, my positivity has got more infinite than your negativity or pessimism ever will."
01:00:03 - 01:00:08
• "Love everybody and tell the truth. And if we all did that, this would be a better place."
In this week's episode, I am joined by Christina Rasmussen!
In 2010, four years after her thirty-five-year-old spouse passed away from Stage 4 colon cancer, she created the Life Reentry process, which launched her on a mission to bring compassion, grace and validation to thousands, while simultaneously establishing an exit from what she termed the "Waiting Room".
Christina holds a master's degree in guidance and counseling (University of Durham). She is currently finishing her master of fine arts degree in painting and drawing (Academy of Art). Her grief work has been featured on ABC News, The Guardian, Women's World, the Washington Post, and the White House Blog.
In her latest book, Christina advocates for what she calls "invisible losses". Those moments of feeling misunderstood by your partner, left out of a friend group, or sad over a lackluster performance review, arguing that these moments are worthy of both emotion and recognition.
In her spare time, she is learning to play the piano and planning her first trip to the edge of space. She works and lives in Austin, Texas, with her husband, Eric, and their two dogs. Key Points
• Transform tragedy into life's purpose
• Embracing the journey, not just the goal
• Shifting perception of self after loss
• Discover "invisible loss" and personal impact
• Defining life's path amidst imperfection
• Choosing joy amidst everyday grief
Best Quotes
04:51 - 05:00
• "We live in a world where we are doing things for a purpose, for a reason, for a mission for someone else, for people pleasing, for all those things."
06:19 - 06:35
• "I think the, I think the closer we get to who we really are. So the beauty of getting older is, is wisdom. And the closer we get to who we really are, sometimes when we find ourselves going through the motions, we're, it's, it's much easier to identify it quicker."
10:10 - 10:27
• "We start out in this life, Scott, and people experience this mom, I call the moments of impact happen to us. And we abandon that original, that true self, that authenticity of ourselves to please the world that lives outside of us."
11:15 - 11:22
• "It's millions of people. And most of us die there. And we don't even know. We were not living our life. We, were not living the life. We're here to live."
16:46 - 16:56
• "It was an invisible experience that we couldn't even know for ourselves. So it wasn't just invisible to others that we were experiencing this, this sadness, this anxiety."
23:37 - 23:45
• "It's about not living your life numb. It's about truly awakening and opening up yourself, yourself."
27:16 - 27:25
• "Because in the beginning it is important to go out, metaphorically speaking, and stay out as long as we can come back, rest, go back out again."
As a multi-time successful entrepreneur and a retired Officer in the Australian military, Finnian Kelly has gone on to coach the CEOs and leadership teams of more than 150 companies.
He has been dubbed "the Business Mystic'' because of his unique ability to awaken consciousness in business and inspire CEOs and leadership teams to find new levels of fulfillment and growth in their creative endeavors, relationships, and overall well-being.
As the founder of Intentionality, Inc., and leading breathwork facilitator around the world, Finnian gives you the transformative tools and frameworks to have an expansive human experience.
Finnian is also a partner and the CXO (Chief Experience Officer) of Cascada, a revolutionary sanctuary featuring hydrothermal pools, wellness classes and boutique hotel rooms located in Portland, Oregon.
Finnian is also the author of INTENTIONALITY in which Finnian shares the lessons learned from creating and selling multimillion-dollar companies and overcoming upheaval in his own life. You will learn about his step-by-step process for manifesting Intentionality into success.
Through combining both scientific and spiritual principles, Finnian leads you through the five key intentions, including actionable steps and targeted breathing exercises you can incorporate into your everyday life. Key Points
• Leverage energy for decision-making
• Importance of grounding breathwork
• Parenthood as growth & learning
• Acknowledge feelings for transformation
• Harness breath to control emotional states
• Prepare for change with intentionality Best Quotes 04:07 - 04:16
• "We will be living a life of intentionality. We will be living a life of full of passion and purpose without really focusing on what we are doing."
10:36 - 10:42
• "We don't need more time, we need to get better at decision making. And how we get better at decision making is we focus on leveraging energy over time."
13:53 - 14:08
• "Everything is a story in our life. We, we, we create our own reality. So people would be like, oh, what can the knee Are you, is that guy just crazy right now? But who is better for that interpretation? I'm a lot better for that interpretation and so is everyone else in my life."
14:18 - 14:26
• "It's about getting better at feeling. And when we do that, we end up creating a greater state of peace, love, and joy."
44:50 - 45:07
• "When we take a breath, we become super present and we drop in in that moment. And what happens is, for this split, like one 10000th of a second, we have this moment to observe what is the automatic behavior."
In this week's episode, I am joined by Jed Collins!
Jed is a 7-Year NFL Veteran, A former NFL player who has overcome the challenges of being cut 12 times along with the challenges of being financially illiterate.
He Founded Rookie to Veteran, pulling from the mindset he developed during his NFL career. This mindset program allows people to embrace failure and embody success.
He then became a Certified Financial Planner. Earning this has made Jed an expert in the world of money and an ideal facilitator for money conversations.
He is also a sought-after speaker and best-selling author of Your Money Vehicle. The book aims to translate the language of money and shares Jed's own techniques for how to start a plan.
Jed is also the Founder of Money Vehicle, an EdTech company currently delivering financial literacy curriculum to high schools across the country. Key Points
• Discipline is key to daily success
• Writing down goals transforms dreams
• 'Decades not days' mindset for growth
• FAIL stands for 'First Attempt In Learning
• Mindset shift: from challenge to focus
Best Quotes
03:32 - 03:44
• "But I looked back at my journal in 2008 as a rookie in the NFLI had just come out of a financial workshop. I had just been humbled in how little I knew about this language of money."
04:44 - 04:58
• "So I look 15 years later and I say, that dream has come to fruition. Why is because I wrote it down and that begins to speak it into, but then I went to work and I went, and you, you manifest. You go create your future."
10:28 - 10:50
• "So I love the idea of having that singular focus. I believe I'm somebody who inherently goes after something with all my heart and obsession, but I do have those life checks. I do have those moments where I pull up and I say, yeah, maybe I should check in on my finance. Maybe I should check in on my family or my faith looking at how I can build a strategy."
46:17 - 46:24
• "There's one thing every high school graduate has in common. They're all gonna get a paycheck, so let's start preparing them for it."
This week, I am joined by Jeff Boyd Jeff Boyd, founder of MTE (More Than Energy), discusses the creation of his performance enhancement supplement.
The goal of MTE is to help people feel good and improve their overall well-being.
The supplement contains adaptogens, which help the body adapt to stress, and nootropics, which enhance cognitive function. Jeff emphasizes the importance of enjoying the journey and focusing on the process rather than just the end result. He also highlights the need to prioritize health and wellness in today's fast-paced and stressful world. Key Points
• All about adaptogens and nootropics
• Find your wellness path post-business sale
• Lifestyle shift from good to great
• Entrepreneurship tales and new ventures
• Insights on sleep, mood, and mental clarity
Best Quotes 05:05 - 05:15
• "I remember quick, like within a couple days of selling the business, I said to myself, what, I don't know what's gonna be next, but whatever it is, it's gonna be something that I'm passionate about."
06:22 - 06:33
• "I think that's how we are with like the handheld devices and the 24 hour, just, just so much content and, and information overload and it's just hammering us all the time."
07:58 - 08:17
• "So you found yourself going through this exercise of what do I wanna be when I grow up? And what you decided on is I wanna be healthy and I wanna help other people stay healthy and I wanna live my life with purpose."
20:00 - 20:10
• "I can relate to that in a, in a big way. I also find that, I mean, I think most people have heard the saying, you know, it's the journey, not the destination."
20:11 - 20:20
• "I think once you hear something so often you just begin to dismiss it. And I think, but if you really sit down and, and it just put 20 seconds of thought into that, I mean, it's so true, right?"
34:19 - 34:29
• "We wanted a, a full system. So I use it every day. It's, it's, I use it as a, a like a daily wellness stack, right? For focus and productivity."
In this week's episode, I am joined by Anthony Scaramucci! Founder and managing partner of SkyBridge, a global alternative investment firm, and founder and chairman of SALT, a global thought leadership forum and venture studio.
Prior to founding SkyBridge in 2005, Scaramucci co-founded investment partnership Oscar Capital Management, which was sold to Neuberger Berman in 2001. Earlier, he worked in Private Wealth Management at Goldman Sachs & Co.
In 2016, he was ranked #85 in Worth Magazine's Power 100: The 100 Most Powerful People in Global Finance. In 2011, he received Ernst & Young's New York Financial Services "Entrepreneur of the Year" Award. Anthony is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) and a board member of the Federal Enforcement Homeland Security Foundation.
In 2022, Scaramucci was ranked #47 in Cointelegraph's Top 100 Influencers in Crypto and Blockchain.
Scaramucci served on President Donald J. Trump's 16-person Presidential Transition Team Executive Committee, and in 2017 briefly served as Chief Strategy Officer of the Export-Import (EXIM) Bank and White House Communications Director. He is the author of five book, including his newest book "From Wall Street To The White House and Back"!
Key Points
• Post-truth dangers in today's America
• The impact of demographic shifts in voting
• Truth and lies on both sides of politics
• Boldness as a key to personal success
Best Quotes
01:46 - 01:59
• "We're in a completely unique environment. Sometimes I, I wake up in the morning recently, and I'm like, I thought politics were, were something that, you know, I know it changes all the time, but sometimes it just changes rapidly."
08:07 - 08:13
• "So, because not a lot of people want to tell you the truth. They want to go with, oh, geez, can't say anything bad about Trump. It could hurt my business."
14:51 - 14:59
• "We should want policies that are not hard, left or hard, right? But that are right or wrong for the society as opposed to hard left or hard, right?" 34:13 - 34:23
• "And so, so what I'm, what I'm saying to people, don't put your lifestyle on me. I won't put my lifestyle on you. But the left wants to do that. The hard right wants to do that."
This week, I wanted to share a personal story. One of the questions I get asked the most is… "Scott, both of your sons are off playing high-level soccer, what is the secret?" To be honest with you, there is no real "secret"… I have just taught them discipline from a very young age. In my experience, if you want your kids to be strong, to be capable, and to excel in life they need discipline to be a major pillar in their everyday life. So that is why this week, I wanted to share my story of raising strong and capable sons through a blend of both discipline and love! Key Points
• Discipline creates successful adults.
• Morning routines set life's tone.
• Love kids as they are, diversely.
• Impact and faith shape character.
• Healthy mind and body are key.
Best Quotes 06:27 - 06:31
• "We had to look good, feel good, play good. That's how we start our day."
08:01 - 08:07
• "Life doesn't just choose to give you freedom that parents tend to give their kids." 14:25 - 14:31
• "One day they will be fathers. One day they will actually understand that you did the best job that you could."
15:00 - 15:07
• "But we set a standard and a value and an objective that we all work towards as a team. We are a team."
17:21 - 17:24
• "I also know that as they get older, there's gonna be moments where I can't give them advice."
19:54 - 19:59
• "Living life, the hard way is actually living it in a much happier way."
In this conversation, I dive into the topic of relationships, focusing on romantic ones. I share my personal experiences and insights on how to navigate rough patches and rekindle the love in a relationship with what I like to call the "ROM Weekend"! The key takeaways I discuss include giving more to your partner, stepping out of your comfort zone, separating from everyday roles and responsibilities, and normalizing reconnection trips or weekends. Key Points
• Rough patches in relationships are normal
• Understanding your partner is crucial
• Intimacy & adventure are key elements
• Importance of 'Rom Weeks' in marriage
• Normalize giving more in your relationship
Best Quotes
02:18 - 02:31
• "The reality is understanding our partnership, understanding what's needed in any relationship, even in business, believe it or not, we have to make sure that relationships are a natural thing that we work on."
03:10 - 03:15
• "When you love somebody, you find like a superpower in that other person."
03:55- 4:00
• "Marriages often end in, in divorce for two main reasons. Number one is money. Number two is sex."
04:23 - 04:43
• "But what can we do to actually help ourselves? What can we do to get ourselves in a position that we don't have to, to go so far that we stop liking each other and maybe we even stop being in love the way that we always thought that we would be?"
11:07 - 11:16
• "So during a rom week, obviously intimacy is mandatory. It's mandatory. If your love language is physical, touch 100%." 15:19 - 15:23
• "It's more about you giving of yourself to somebody else that you love..."
This conversation revolves around the experience of dropping off a child at college and the introspective thoughts and emotions that come with it. Today I reflect on the preparation for the transition, the memories of raising the child, and the importance of faith and communication. This conversation also touches on parenting lessons, the role of words and responsibility, and the impact and energy one brings to the world. To sum up my message, as parents we need to continue living our own purpose while supporting our child's journey. Key Points:
In this week's episode, I am joined by Ajit Nawalkha!
Most people know Ajit Nawalkha simply as "Coach Ajit."
He is a speaker, author, podcast host, master coach and trainer, CEO and Founder of multiple million-dollar companies.
Every year he helps over 30,000 clients reimagine what's possible for them so that they can confidently go after their greatest life and work vision. He has trained thousands of new and seasoned coaches and self-coaches to revolutionize their identity and achieve mastery in Life, Business, Spirituality, and Health.
Ajit is proud to be a first generation immigrant and thrives on creating life-enhancing experiences for people around the world — from India to Malaysia to Los Angeles to Austin where he lives with his beautiful wife, son, and daughter.
Key Points
• More living, not more money, equals happiness.
• Attaining balance between security & joy
• Impact of money stories from childhood
• Seek a lifestyle, not just a bank balance. • Aligning earnings with personal values
Best Quotes
05:54 - 06:03
• "These are the people with big bank accounts, really poor life, right? The other category of individuals are people who always report that they're broke, but they're incredibly resourceful."
06:10 - 06:17
• "If you can find the balance between these two, that's the way to live your life, find the balance of security and living the life best version of life." 06:53 - 07:03
• "How much money do you really want? More is not always better. Living your life from the way you wanna live is way better than just more money." 11:01 - 11:10
• "The shift came from a couple of things. The circle, I surrounded myself with the, the abundance mindset of knowing and believing in my skills." 15:09 - 15:17
• "What would an amazing life look look like to you? Right? What is it? What does it include? Let's write down everything that we can imagine, right?"
17:42 - 17:48
• "The question is, do you know why you want it? Or you're just chasing it to, you know, flounder it on social media?"
43:22
• "Because it adds nothing to my life. It is a great experience. I'm grateful for it. I'm enjoying it at the same point in time, I know how much I want."
In this week's episode, I am joined by Jodi Wellman! Jodi Wellman is a leading authority on living lives worth living.
As a speaker and facilitator, she helps her clients live squander-free lives while they're lucky enough to still be above ground — while cleverly beginning with the "big end" in mind.
She named her business Four Thousand Mondays because it shines the light on the finite number of weeks we have to live like we mean it.
As Jodi puts it, she has a morbid curiosity about the Big Sleep… her Mom died in her 50s, which made life seem that much more temporary. But it was more than that…
Jodi reflects that it was her passing away that jostled her awake. It made her realize that she didn't want to leave stones unturned and dreams unfulfilled (as she unfortunately did).
Jodi holds a Master's of Applied Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania, where she is also an Assistant Instructor.
As a certified coach with 25 years of corporate leadership experience, she helps executives, teams, and high performers work well and live even better. Key Points
• Finite lives make things matter
• Fears can motivate great change
• Regrets of inaction haunt us
• Daily moments as life's treasure
• Action is key to life's vitality
Best Quotes 06:43 - 06:55
• "So we, we, it's too bad we need it. And I've always found that to be a little chink in the armor of humanity, you know, that we really need to be motivated by sometimes what is negative rather than just what is positive."
08:29 - 08:38
• "Because in honesty, you're a step ahead. Like, I mean, it took you a beat 'cause it sounded like you were doing the in and out of the cities as one example."
11:21 - 11:25
• "Our values change over time based on our perception of time, the horizon's ahead of us." 37:34 - 37:46
• "But if it's something that matters to you, then in a way you're living in an authentic life if you're not doing a, you know, as much as you might want to do by not traveling and thwarting that goal or dream."
40:52 - 40:59
• "But can we talk about the big elephant in the room? And no, it's not the grim reaper for once. It is the fear that we're just sort of chicken shit."
43:08 - 43:13
• "It's better to have lived and failed or lost and fucked up than never who have lived at a
47:12 - 47:20
• "The difference, you know, between people who are hoping to be successful in mostly people who are successful. It's like, what are you doing?"
To learn more about Jodi: https://fourthousandmondays.com/ If you are interested in Jodi's book: https://fourthousandmondays.com/book/In this week's episode, I am joined by Jeff Karp! Dr. Jeff Karp, PhD. is a passionate mentor and biomedical engineering professor at Harvard Medical School and MIT, a Distinguished Chair at Brigham and Women's Hospital, and a fellow of the National Academy of Inventors. As a bioengineer, Dr. Karp is at the forefront of taking inspiration from the most successful researchers of all time—evolution and nature—to find ways to improve our daily life, health, focus, and productive purpose. His lab's technologies have led to the formation of thirteen companies. The technologies they have developed include a tissue glue that can seal holes inside a beating heart; targeted therapy for osteoarthritis, Crohn's disease, and brain disorders; "smart needles" that automatically stop when they reach their target; a nasal spray that neutralizes pathogens; and immunotherapy approaches to annihilate cancer. Growing up in rural Canada he was written off by his school because of his learning differences. He evolved a process for embracing life, embodied by 'Life Ignition Tools', through years of iteration and tinkering to make his unique patterns of thought and behavior work for him. These LIT tools have been thoroughly road-tested, through Dr. Karp's life, in his lab, and by his many mentees.
Key Points
• Life-changing power of questions
• Turning nature into medical marvels
• ADHD struggle to A's with support
• Intentionality reshapes your learning
• The energy transfer of our daily tools
Best Quotes
10:36 - 10:42
• "I got some accommodations, a little bit extra space and time, and my grades went from CS and Ds to straight A's immediately."
11:17 - 11:28
• "It's interesting how curiosity can be almost paralyzing at times because the more curious we are, the, the harder it gets to make quick decisions."
17:52 - 17:57
• "We all sort of process things in unique ways, experience the world in unique ways."
20:10 - 20:33
• "So what happened was about seven or eight years ago, I was contacted by an agent in New York, Heather Jackson, and she had read some articles on my, my Laboratory's work where we turned to nature for inspiration, you know, using bio we call bio inspiration or, you know, biomimicry to solve medical problems."
In this week's episode, I am joined by Simon Alexander Ong!
Simon is a former banker who suffered extreme burnout. Today he is an award-winning life coach, coaching many male clients with life skills, mostly on how to balance high-flying jobs with their mental health.
In his brand new book ENERGIZE, Simon introduces you to the art and science of energy management. In a world where we are always 'on', he coaches you to work with your natural energy resources to recognize your most energized state - when to push and when to recoup - so that you can work sustainably towards your biggest goals.
Simon believes that the greatest investment you can make is in yourself. Because the more you grow, the more you feel alive. And the world needs more people like this! Key Points
• Life without regret: act now
• Energy, not time, boosts productivity
• Embrace diversity in teamwork
• The art of selling your energy
• Resilience and learning from rejections
Best Quotes
03:42 - 03:52
• "Productivity is less about doing more and more about doing less, simplifying our routines and our schedules so we have the oxygen to focus on the things that actually matter."
05:07 - 05:24
• "If we want to thrive over the long term, there has to be this, this rhythm, if you will, between work and rest periods where yes, you're focused on getting, getting stuff done and moving towards the goals that you have for yourself, but also periods where you can rest with intention."
06:37 - 06:47
• "If you're healthy, you are in a very privileged position. You, you can have lots of hope streams and goals, but if you're sick, you only, you only have one. You only have one goal just to be well again."
08:07 - 08:20
• "Because if you have clarity on what the best version of you looks like, what they do, who they spend time with, how they show up each day, then you have clarity on the future identity that you can work from."
22:33 - 22:52
• "Because pain can be a great force, a great catalyst for us to do something different. So as an example, one of the pains I like to create to instill some inspiration inside of someone is the pain of getting to the end of your life and being filled with regret." 26:27 - 26:44
• "Because once I lost my mom and then my grandfather a few years later, it really brought home how fragile life is. I knew at those points that there was no fear to be had. I'm gonna die at some point anyway." 27:14 - 27:27
• "Your first of anything is gonna suck, guaranteed it's gonna suck. But you've gotta get over those first few in order to get to your 20th, your 21st, and your 22nd, where people start to take notice."
For more about Simon: https://www.simonalexanderong.com/
In this week's episode, I am joined by Dr. Stan Tatkin! Stan Tatkin, PsyD, MFT, is a clinician, researcher, teacher, and developer of A Psychobiological Approach to Couples Therapy®. He is also an assistant clinical professor at the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, Department of Family Medicine.
In 2010 he and his wife, Tracey created the PACT Institute, to train mental health professionals to think and work through a psychobiological lens in their clinical practice.
Tatkin's work, based on a social-emotional capacity model, focuses on what partners can and cannot do to mitigate threat reactions during stressful interactive sequences.
Dr. Tatkin is the author of We Do, Wired for Love, Your Brain on Love, Relationship Rx, Wired for Dating, What Every Therapist Ought to Know, and co-author of Love and War in Intimate Relationships, and his latest title, In Each Other's Care.
He has just released an updated version of Wired for Love this June which can be found on Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/Wired-Love-Understanding-Attachment- Relationship/dp/1648482961/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=
Key Points
• Impact of technology on relationships
• Embracing life's imperfections together
• The power of face-to-face communication
• Secure functioning in modern partnerships
• Continuous courtship keeps love alive
• Rekindle romance with 'ROM weekends'
Best Quotes
01:34 - 01:41
• "All people are difficult. All people are disappointing. All people are a pain in the butt. And that's no, no exceptions."
03:17 - 03:28
• "The amygdala is a, is a fear alarm center. And so it's being triggered more frequently because that person at the side brain kind of is wary."
05:42 - 05:48
• "We actually store each other's faces in our heads for weeks and months without ever looking at them." 05:48 - 06:00
• "This is the law of energy conservation. We do the least amount necessary. And if we think we know our spouse, then we go about thinking that we're wrong because we're not really paying attention."
30:13 - 30:21
• "It doesn't matter what your partner's going through, you are, that's your wing person. You are responsible to that person."
For more about Dr. Stan Tatkin visit: www.thepactinstitute.com
I recently had an interview with David Robson. (You should check it out if you haven't already!) But our conversation got me thinking about the power of having a positive mindset and outlook on life. Here are my thoughts!
In this week's episode, I am joined by Lavina Mehta MBE!
Lavina Mehta MBE, founder of Feel Good With Lavina, is a 46-year-old Personal Trainer, Bestselling Author, Wellness Coach, TED Speaker and mom to three. Lavina was awarded an MBE for services to health and fitness during Covid-19.
Her mission is to help all ages (up to 100) Feel Good physically, mentally and reduce risks of common chronic diseases through her concept of "Exercise Snacking" & free desk/chair workouts (as seen on TV & Radio with her mother in law.) Her slogan is to "Exercise for Sanity not Vanity."
Lavina is a Patron of the Menopause Mandate. Lavina is a proud Ambassador for Diabetes UK, Wellbeing of Women and Alzheimer's Society, as well as supporting many charities.
She has been sharing her own perimenopause journey on social media and press to help normalise the conversation, especially in the workplace and in the South Asian community where many women are suffering in silence.
She wants to break the taboos, raise awareness, change the narrative and help women feel empowered to find solutions, as well as educating the men around us. Lavina promotes the power of exercise, strength training and lifestyle changes to help women 'feel good' and embrace this phase and beyond.
Lavina's new book "The Feel Good Fix" hit #1 Bestseller before publication across Amazon in Menopause, Fitness Training & Exercise and Fitness Categories, hitting the top 100 books at number 60; and on publication, it hit #1 Bestseller in Fitness & Training on Amazon.
Key Points
• Perimenopause can impact mood and memory
• Men should join the menopause conversation
• It's never too late to start exercising
• Social connection vital for a happy life
• Quick, simple exercises benefit daily life
• Why every "exercise snack" counts
Best Quotes
04:16 - 04:27
• "I was pretty alarmed that these statistics that I researched just before the Covid pandemic were like, were six times more likely than the average white person here to have type two diabetes." 05:26 - 05:39
• "It was just transformational that made me wanna research the science and sit the exams just out of my own knowledge, not even thinking that it's gonna be a future career path."
07:05 - 07:15
• "It's like the different goals I think, you know, 'cause I was older, I wasn't striving to do it to get a six pack or to go on social media."
08:29 - 08:40
• "But it was the gym and it was lifting weights and having that out sort of that space for myself that gave me the chance to actually deal with grief
10:50 - 11:08
• "But the amazing the, but the point that I'm getting at is I'm much, I feel accomplished before I even start my day air quotes here. Yeah. And, and I've, I've already accomplished enough for myself where I feel like I've done enough to invest in my body to invest in my mind."
Website: https://feelgoodwithlavina.com/
In this week's episode, I am joined by Jeff Wetzler! Jeff Wetzler is a leadership expert best known as the co-founder of Transcend, a diverse team of educators and innovators rewriting the way we deliver education.
He recently wrote Ask, a book all about the art of asking questions.
Jeff has been on a quarter-century quest to transform learning opportunities, blending his unique set of leadership experiences in the fields of business and education.
He has pursued his quest as a management consultant to the world's top corporations, as a learning facilitator for leaders around the world, as Chief Learning Officer at Teach For America, and most recently, as co-CEO of Transcend, a nationally recognized innovation organization.
Jeff earned a Doctorate in Adult Learning and Leadership from Columbia University and a Bachelor's in Psychology from Brown University. He is a member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network and is an Edmund Hillary Fellow.
He lives in New York with his wife, two children and their puppy. Key Points
• Choose curiosity to deepen connections
• Make it safe for honest dialogue
• Pose quality questions for learning
• Listen to uncover unspoken truths
• Reflect and reconnect to grow together
Best Quotes
03:42 - 03:59
• "Absolutely. If, you know, if you are just interacting with someone to get something from them or to, you know, to get, get a piece of information people might be happy to share the first time, but if that continues to happen over and over again, people are basically like, this person doesn't care about me." 04:27 - 04:36
• "BS listening stands for back to self listening. So when you know, when someone is listening to you and you tell 'em something and then they say, well, that reminds me of this thing about me, or whatever. That is back to self listening."
06:07 - 06:12
• " Sometimes the most important things will only come out if you let the silence do its work."
06:16 - 06:26
• "I interviewed a lot of professional listeners for the book and one category of professional listeners that I interviewed with psychotherapists, and they, they talk about this thing called the doorknob moment."
To learn more about Jeff: https://www.askapproach.com/ https://transcendeducation.org/team/jeff-wetzler/
In this week's episode, I am joined by Yanni Hufnagel!
Yanni transitioned from a successful career as a men's college basketball coach to creating a health-focused drink and a mission to offer healthy hydration accessible to all.
And so, Lemon Perfect was born, bottled water infused with organic lemons, electrolytes, and vitamin C.
Creating a new company in the food and beverage space was no small feat. While it's relatively easy to get started, securing shelf space, managing margins, and outmaneuvering extremely large and resourced products creates considerable barriers to entry.
Yanni Hufnagel, a first time founder, former division I college basketball coach with no background in the CPG space was able to raise over $37M and achieve national distribution in 5 short years with Lemon Perfect.
Key Points
• Balance is a myth in entrepreneurship
• High stakes of building a beverage brand
• The art of talent evaluation
• Strategy behind beverage innovation
• Aiming for a billion-dollar business
Best Quotes
03:24 - 03:40
• "It's not realistic. It's not realistic. We have 91 incredible people. Many of decorators have families. I have over 300 investors. We've raised $99 million."
04:54 - 05:10
• "I think I'm crazy enough, I wanna do this one more time. And so winning, winning, winning and being acquired or, or finding our way to liquidity, very, very important."
08:10 - 08:28
• "My psychology, it is what it is. It's not for everyone, but that's how I'm wired. And I'm not gonna change because maybe the world says, oh, you have to have great balance. Yes, I want our people to have great ba I want most of our people." 10:19 - 10:30
• "And I would imagine that if you look at the most successful entrepreneurs, they're out of balance."
12:29 - 12:39
• "You can't have great freedom and balance and, you know, it just, it's, I just don't think you can have it all."
46:32 - 46:45
• "I've gotta have, you know, certainly a longer term lens, I think in this environment right now where you have, you know, some, some pricing headwinds or you know, where, where the consumer's slowing down a little bit."
In this week's episode, I am joined by Thais Gibson! Thais has a Ph.D. and over 13 certifications in modalities such as CBT, NLP, somatic experiencing, internal family systems, and shadow work.
She has nearly a decade of experience running a successful private practice and engaging with over 30,000 clients through individual sessions, workshops, and an educational platform.
She is a counselor and co-founder of The Personal Development School, is THE leading expert in attachment theory and her cutting-edge research is extending the frontier of psychology with her modern Integrated Attachment Theory.
It was widely accepted that your attachment style was set for life, but Thais' research shows that you can actually CHANGE your attachment style, improving your romantic relationships, close family connections, and friendships.
Thais was a keynote speaker for Google's International Women's Day, and The Personal Development School has over 30,000 members in 115 countries.
For more about The Personal Development School: https://university.personaldevelopmentschool.com/ Key Points
• Explore four primary attachment styles
• Recondition beliefs and heal past wounds
• Understand love languages vs. attachment
• Secure vs. insecure attachment impacts
• The power of self-talk in personal growth
Best Quotes
01:04 - 01:08
• "No matter what your attachment style is, you can heal to become securely attached."
07:50 - 07:55
• "They actually internalize a lot of shame, and sometimes emotional neglect isn't like very overt."
07:58 - 08:06
• "The vast majority of the time it's very covert. It's like...if you cry, go in the other room and come back when you're ready to stop crying."
10:00 - 10:10
• "Which obviously makes them quite confusing partners to be with. But the best news of all of this is that no matter what your attachment style is, you can heal to become securely attached."
I recently launched an episode with Justin Roethlingshoefer. Justin is an expert in the health field, and has spent countless hours researching and studying health, heart rate variability, and how you can live an overall healthier lifestyle. It got me thinking about my own health journey, and the things I've done to put myself on the right path going forward.
This week, I am joined by Cory Wharton-Malcolm!
Cory is a running coach, Runner's World columnist, founder of the West London running crew TrackMafia, and an Apple Fitness+ trainer who embarks on running adventures all over the world with 'Time To Run.'
Previously Nike Run Club's European Head Coach and still the voice of the Nike Run Club app, he has been featured in publications including the Guardian, the Evening Standard, Men's Health, Runners World, and Metro!
Key Points
• Running: More than just cardio
• Life is rhythm; running embodies this
• Find joy in the process, not just results
• Community creates momentum in life
• Embracing change yields growth & love
Best Quotes
01:40 - 01:50
• "All You Need is Rhythm and Grit is because I honestly do believe that that is all you need to be a good runner and also like, good at life."
03:26 - 03:50
• "It's not about, okay, I'm going for this incredibly fast time, or I'm going for this specific race. Of course, all of those things are amazing, but the true beauty for me lies when you just release yourself from all of those things and just use running as, see, it's weird for me to say an escape because running isn't actually an escape for me."
04:17 - 04:25
• "What's interesting is the more we focus on the result, the less we enjoy the ride Yes. The more we focus on the process." 09:13 - 09:30
• "When you dig into to people's reasoning, a lot of the time it's, it's like their own belief in themselves. And when you sort of put your arm around them and say like, like, I believe in you, or this person believes in you, or that person believes in you, that also really, really helps to get people out the door."
09:54 - 10:13
• "This def definition that you've, you've created to define yourself in this box. When you break free from that and you realize how, how you can press past the boundary or pass the goal, you see that there's so much more to enjoy in that, in that run or that new experience or whatever it may be."
11:39 - 11:47
• "The moment I sort of opened up about my journey, people were far more welcoming. People were far nicer."
13:39 - 13:49
• "So when I first started running, it was probably around 2006 or 2007, and I had just gone to watch the London Marathon."
Website: https://corywhartonmalcolm.com/
In this week's episode, I am joined by David Robson!
David is an award-winning science writer specializing in the extremes of the human brain, body and behavior.
After graduating with a degree in mathematics from Cambridge University, David worked as a features editor at New Scientist for five years, before moving to BBC Future, where he was a senior journalist for five years.
His writing has also appeared in the Guardian, the Atlantic, Aeon, Men's Health and many more outlets.
In 2022, he won Mental Health Story of the Year at the MJA Annual Awards and was a finalist for the Best British Science Journalist of the Year Award from the ABSW. David's first book, The Intelligence Trap, was published in 2019, and received worldwide media attention.
His second book The Expectation Effect: How Your Mindset Can Transform Your Life, was published in the UK on 6 January 2022 and in the USA and Canada on 15 February 2022.
It is "a journey through the cutting-edge science of how our mindset shapes every facet of our lives, revealing how your brain holds the keys to unlocking a better you".
The Expectation Effect was a BBC Radio 4 Book of the Week and won a British Psychological Society Book Award in the popular science category.
In June 2024, David will release his brand new book The Laws of Connection: The scientific secrets of Building a Strong Social Network - a groundbreaking study revealing how social connections are far more important than we thought, showing us the steps we can take to build better relationships and improve our lives Key Points
• How mindset acts as life's lenses
• Shifting from scarcity to abundance
• The intertwined science of success
• Mindsets influencing longevity
• Meaningful tech connections matter
Best Quotes
01:53 - 02:10
• "And there's a huge amount of research now showing that our mindsets can create self-fulfilling prophecies now that can, it can change things like our physiology, our perception, our behavior, our capacity to deal with failure, our motivation." 02:31 - 02:35
• "by changing your mindset, you're kind of releasing the brakes on your potential."
03:20 - 03:28
• "And when I broke that down and started focusing from scarcity to to abundance, I started seeing the world in such a different way."
05:11 - 05:20
• "So you perform this, this activity called self-affirmation by kind of listing the 10 things that you think are most important about yourself or your life."
06:10 - 06:18
• "So that's just one example I think of how like a small psychological intervention that changes mindset can actually have a really big impact."
To learn more about David: https://davidrobson.me/media/
I recently finished up a podcast with relationship expert: Adam Lane Smith! It got me thinking about a common relationship issue I see far too often. Everybody thinks about the width of relationships that they have, instead of the depth of the relationships they have. Here are my thoughts! I encourage you to check out the full episode with Adam Lane Smith if you haven't already!
In this week's episode, I am joined by Myer Krah! Myer is the host of The Here4Dads Podcast!
This episode takes a deep-dive into the whirlwinds of fatherhood, personal growth, and life transitions.
From high-stakes Navy tales to parenting nuances and future fears, this conversation is a heartfelt journey through imperfection, leadership, and the art of embracing the unknown
Key Points
• First generation dads: The legacy challenge
• Leading with love and showing real vulnerability
• Fatherhood lessons from imperfect pasts
• Transitioning out of the Navy with grace
• The power of curiosity in personal growth
Best Quotes
00:23 - 00:33
• "So here my dad is picking up that baton and running his own race, running for his life to try to protect and provide for the son that he now has."
13:12 - 13:16
• "That's how it is when you get full circle and you start to get that perspective and it makes so much more sense." 13:50 - 13:57
• "So many times we I think get down on ourselves and things get a whole lot harder for ourselves because we're trying to be the main character."
20:12 - 20:20
• "These are all the types of things that the more we go back, the more I realize that I just need to be more present."
37:38 - 37:59
• "You're the oldest son and I'm the oldest in my family. And I, it's, it's always funny to me 'cause my sister and I will talk about stories and she doesn't even know these things existed, but my perception of everything around me, 'cause I was the first, so he's nervous because he's not only doing it the first time for him, he's doing it for his brothers is bigger than him."
In this week's episode, I am joined by Nate Klemp!
Nate is a New York Times bestselling author, philosopher, founding partner at Mindful Magazine, and is coauthor of both The 80/80 Marriage and the new book OPEN.
It was while studying at Stanford that Nate got hooked on jazz and philosophy. He made the "pragmatic" decision to become a philosopher in an attempt to learn how to live the good life.
After 10 years of intense philosophical training, he didn't exactly achieve his goal of realizing human flourishing through philosophy. Instead, he burned out.
He worked as an assistant professor at Pepperdine for four years, where he wrote The Morality of Spin, a book about the ethics of political rhetoric. Then, he left his cushy tenure-track job in 2012 to continue exploring this crazy idea of philosophy as a way of life.
That's when he met Eric Langshur, the cofounder at LifeXT, a mindfulness training company that brings optimal wellbeing to the workplace.
After 8 years, they ended up merging with Mindful Magazine to become Mindful (the world's leading mindfulness media and training company)/ Together, Eric and Nate coauthored the NYT bestseller Start Here: Master The Lifelong Skill of Wellbeing.
In 2021, he and his wife Kaley Klemp wrote a book about relationships in the modern age called The 80/80 Marriage: A New Model for a Happier, Stronger Marriage.
His brand new book OPEN: Living With an Expansive Mind in a Distracted World, was released in Feb, 2024.
Key Points
• Smartphones: Pleasure machines or pain triggers?
• Dopamine Dessert: Scheduled Distraction Time
• Meditation: A street-smart mindfulness hack
• Embrace discomfort for deeper experiences
• Failure by choice fortifies freedom
Best Quotes
02:24 - 02:34
• "The problem of our time because we're all experiencing it and yet it's somewhat invisible. It's happening beneath the radar of awareness."
04:27 - 04:34
• "Yeah, and it's super hard because I think for me, I've always been someone who's curious."
08:44 - 08:53
• "I think of that as like the most profound mindfulness practice in my lexicon. I call that street meditation or street opening."
13:27 - 13:36
• "It's such an awareness and that tilt towards awareness is such an advantage the older we get if we execute, if we actually do something with it."
13:56 - 14:01
• "And one of the assumptions of that conversation is that like, longer is always better."
20:11 - 20:18
• "Your life begins at the edge of your comfort zone. That is it. And I think that's true of our mind and our life in general."
34:04 - 34:10
• "We can play with the restraint side. That's super powerful. But the indulgence side I think is super interesting too."
For more about Nate: https://www.nateklemp.com/
In the ever-changing world of business, demand for great leadership skills is at an all-time high! I recently had an interview with Amanda Goodall, and it got me thinking about leadership... What actually determines a good leader? How does leadership need to adjust from generation to generation? Here are my thoughts!
In this week's episode, I am joined by Justin Roethlingshoefer!
Justin centres his performance-enhancing programs on a holistically integrated approach to health and performance. His core philosophy is that performance is realized when health is optimized and we cannot separate physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health.
He is the co-founder of Own It Coaching, a multiple seven-figure coaching company that applies this health and performance philosophy to clients ranging from NHL stars, to Fortune 500 executives, to entrepreneurs looking to take that next step and level up.
He's also the creator of the Own It App, which provides simple data collection, meaningful insights, and personalized plans to help users OWN their habits and improve recovery, health, and performance.
Justin has spoken at dozens of events, including the TEDx stage. He's the host of the Sports Science and Recovery Podcast and The Own It Show.
Additionally, Justin is the author of three books (Amazon bestsellers), including Intent: A Practical Approach to Applied Sports Science for Athletic Development and Own It, and his brand new book: The Power of Ownership.
Justin is well-regarded for his ability to take complex scientific topics and distill them into practical, applicable action steps. He has a rare combination of the ability to understand the science of sports performance, sleep, and recovery on a deep level, while being able to translate and distill the complex topics into a form others can actually use. Key Points
• HRV: Body's language for adapting stress
• Essential habits to boost your HRV
• Importance of customizing health strategies
• The powerful link between data and wellness
• Tips for increasing longevity and life quality
Best Quotes
06:03 - 06:10
• "It's the language of your body that's communicating with you. How it's adapting to stress and strain."
07:28 - 07:33
• "Real perceived, positive, negative stressors. The body doesn't know the difference."
09:23 - 09:28
• "The higher the number, the better, the lower the number. It's an alert saying, Hey, we're not adapting as well."
14:52 - 15:00
• "The mission of Own IT is to redeem the health of the world through educating, empowering, and equipping people to take ownership of their health in a personalized way."
39:08 - 39:16
• "Chronic stress creates chronic deficiency, creates chronic symptoms. Chronic symptoms like brain fog, chronic symptoms like weight gain."
For more about Justin: https://justinroethlingshoefer.com/about/In this week's episode, I am joined by Adam Lane Smith! Adam Lane Smith is The Attachment Specialist with over 450,000 followers across his social media platforms. He consults internationally with CEOs, investors, entrepreneurs, executives, military veterans, and engineers to solve their attachment issues and improve their relationships.
He has also appeared on numerous podcasts discussing generational attachment issues, recovering from trauma, and raising global awareness of attachment.
With his revolutionary Attachment Bootcamp video course, a repertoire of diverse relationship resources, and his signature one-on-one coaching, Adam guides his clients on a transformative journey to unearth and bravely confront deep-rooted patterns and beliefs, sparking a journey of self-discovery and authentic connection. Key Points
• 30-minutes to enrich marriage
• Six pillars of a good marriage
• The Value of Emotional Intimacy
• The Four Points to Increase Emotional Intimacy
• The Importance of Depth in Relationships
• Generational Differences in Relationships
Best Quotes
02:51 - 02:56
• "They want the same things, but they have no idea. They actually think they're in competition with each other." 03:44 - 03:50
• "You must be able to sustain it. Otherwise it will fall apart under you. And you will check out at age 45 or 50."
24:47 - 24:52
• "You are opening up emotionally to her. Women are designed to love this biochemically and socially."
47:44 - 47:49
• "People love to be treated like a human being. People love to be treated with respect." 49:57 - 50:10
• "I think what happens a lot of times is you play a role in a relationship and sometimes you play that role so well, that you have to, you have to realize that it's like an actor who has to come out of that role."
55:33 - 55:40
• "The ability to be who you actually are and to build love and loyalty with those around you because of who you are."
For more about Adam: https://adamlanesmith.com/
To learn more about Adam's Attachment Bootcamp, click here: https://adam-smith.mykajabi.com/affiliate_users/sign_up
In this week's episode, I am joined by Bishop Mariann Budde!
Mariann Edgar Budde serves as spiritual leader for 86 Episcopal congregations and ten Episcopal schools in the District of Columbia and four Maryland counties.
The first woman elected to this position, she also serves as the chair and president of the Protestant Episcopal Cathedral Foundation, which oversees the ministries of the Washington National Cathedral and Cathedral schools.
Bishop Budde is committed to the spiritual and numerical growth of congregations and developing new expressions of Christian community.
She believes that Jesus calls all who follow him to strive for justice and peace, and to respect the dignity of every human being.
Bishop Budde was consecrated as the ninth bishop of Washington in November 2011. Prior to her election, she served for 18 years as rector of St. John's Episcopal Church in Minneapolis.
Key Points
• Love as a lifelong quest
• Faith's roots in a rocky life
• Embracing the sacrament of imperfection
• Recognizing our flawed kinship
• The refreshing resurgence of faith
Best Quotes
02:41 - 02:48
• "My conscious journey of faith began when I was an adolescent, which I don't think is an uncommon experience."
03:33 - 03:38
• "As soon as he said, invite Jesus into my heart, I just felt this loneliness inmy heart."
04:37 - 04:44
• "There was a part of me that was struggling with the confinement of the worldview."
39:13 - 39:20
• "My job is to love people as Jesus loves, and that's it."
For more about Mariann: https://edow.org/about/bishop-mariann/
Today marks the 1 year anniversary of The High Performance LIFE podcast! I wanted to take the time to share 15 of my favorite takeaways from my first 56 episodes! I also want to thank everyone for their support thus far, and I hope that our new and upcoming episodes will continue to serve you well! Enjoy!
In this week's episode, I am joined by Amanda Goodall!
Based on her experience working with two university leaders, Amanda started a PhD at Warwick Business School in 2004. Her research was published into a monograph by Princeton University Press – Socrates in the Boardroom: Why Research Universities Should be Led by Top Scholars.
She has been an ESRC post-doctoral fellow, a Leverhulme fellow, and worked in Germany for two years as a senior researcher at IZA Institute of Labor Economics in Bonn. She has held visiting research positions at Cornell University, University of Zurich, and Yale University.
Amanda is married to economist Andrew Oswald and together they live between London and South Wales, in beautiful Pembrokeshire.
She is a committed environmentalist, an ambassador for 'Save Wild Tigers', and a founder, with Jacki Sime, of the Pembrokeshire Seal Research Trust to be established in 2022. Key Points:
• Debunking one-size-fits-all leadership
• Data-driven insights vs. anecdotal lore
• Younger generation's workplace expectations
• Power of proximity for leadership efficacy
• Inter-generational dialogue & learning
Best Quotes: 05:43 - 05:52
• "Your boss matters to your job satisfaction, which matters more to your productivity than anything else. Double the amount that of your pay." 09:07 - 09:14
• "But what they don't realize is that that's actually really harming their career. And there is evidence to show that it is really harming their career."
23:49 - 23:56
• "It's not to say that I'm closed down to outside. 'cause a lot of people say to me, oh, you know, how can an insider know what's going outside on outside?"
38:35 - 38:42
• "When everything's a task, there's no emotion attached to it. And then everybody feels like they're just working for nothing."
43:40 - 43:44
• "So it's like not surprising that they haven't got those skills, but we are giving them those skills."
For more about Amanda: https://amandagoodall.com/
Is the education system truly preparing our youth for the future? I recently had Matt Beaudreau on the podcast, and that conversation got me thinking... What skills do we need to instill in today's youth to prepare them for the rest of their life? The school system teaches them how to get a grade on a paper or test, but when it comes to "real life" it doesn't teach them how to excel. Here are my thoughts, enjoy!
In this week's episode, I am joined by Matt Beaudreau!
As a Keynote Speaker, Consultant, and Coach to organizations around the world, Matt's clients have ranged from Wells Fargo, Honeywell, and Lockheed Martin to American Eagle, Cedars-Sinai and the United States Air Force.
He is a two-time featured TEDx speaker and was named Corporate Trainer of the Year at Stanford University, having spoken to over 250,000 people across the world.
In 2017, Matt Beaudreau Founded Acton Academy Placer Schools; schools that utilize the Socratic method, with an emphasis on self-direction and cultivating confident, independent young people with a strong sense of character and personal responsibility.
Matt then co founded Apogee Strong with Tim Kennedy, a mentorship program designed for young men from 12 to 22 to take on challenges presented by men who have come before them, in order to learn to lead. This has blossomed into a mission to bring back classic masculinity in the home, and 2023 will be the launch of the Apogee Strong Dads Program, as well.
Matt is also the founder of the Apogee Strong Foundation that provides scholarships for school, experience, and leadership opportunities for young men around the world.
Key Points
• Curiosity: Born trait or taught away?
• Apogee Strong: Raising tomorrow's leaders.
• Life skills over grades: a real-world application.
• Socio-educational shifts post-COVID.
• Meta skills: tools for lifelong relevance.
Best Quotes
01:46 - 01:49
• "I don't think curiosity is just important for young people. I think it's important for people."
03:00 - 03:08
• "I never support a system that was intentionally designed to strip that curiosity out to make people apathetic."
05:06 - 05:21
• "It's not repeating school, it's around education. It's an educational experience, educational opportunities that allows them to build their own background, their brand, their identity, their, you know, experiences."
10:38 - 10:43
• "And it doesn't, it's not a predictor of what you're gonna do in life. That's a problem. We should use those years wisely.
16:18 - 16:22
• "What are the meta skills? What are the things that are always gonna matter no matter what, right?"
For more about the Apogee programs: https://apogeestrong.com/
This week, I am joined by Rusty Shelton!
Rusty first spoke at Harvard on the changing world of marketing and PR at the age of 23.
He is a bestselling author, dynamic keynote speaker and successful entrepreneur who has focused his career on helping leaders build thought leadership focused on impact, not ego, writing three acclaimed books and speaking around the world to a variety of audiences, from YPO to SXSW Interactive to Forbes.
He is Chairman of Zilker Media, an award-winning agency based in Austin, TX that builds people-driven brands and Senior Marketing Strategist at Forbes Books.
Rusty's keynotes blend humor and targeted examples to challenge assumptions about personal branding, showing audiences how to build authentic thought leadership focused on impact, not ego. He's known for a mix of story-telling, candor and practical, put-it-into- action-next-week guidance – showing leaders how to make an impact and build trust in an increasingly skeptical world – and have a lot of fun along the way.
He has shared the stage with Steve Forbes and Alan Mulally, spoken for YPO, EO, SXSW Interactive, the University of Texas, numerous Fortune 1000 companies and served on the faculty at more than 20 Harvard Medical School CME courses. Key Points
• Building trust in today's skeptical world
• The 'Authority Advantage' unveiled
• Impact over ego in thought leadership
• Crafting your message to build trust
• Sharing personal stories for connection
Best Quotes
02:09 - 02:17
• "But what I've found is that for many of those servant leaders, when I would encourage them, Hey, there's a lot of people that could benefit from your message."
03:12 - 03:20
• "You could take these ideas that you're sharing behind the scenes. You could do it at scale and in the process make a bigger impact."
05:37 - 05:48
• "So whether you like it or not, the first impression they're getting is, is online. And so my encouragement for your audience, like, all right, if it's happening, whether you like it or not, number one, don't you wanna own that first impression?"
07:33 - 07:43
• "I really believe that everything in life, from business to to just family, to anything that we do is about building quality relationships."
For more about Rusty visit: https://rustyshelton.com/In this week's episode, I am joined by Dr. Karyn Gordon!
Dr. Karyn Gordon is the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of The Three Chairs: How Great Leaders Drive Communication, Performance, and Engagement.
In addition, she is a leadership and relationship expert; professional counselor; the CEO of DK Leadership, a global leadership coaching company; and a TV personality for Cityline.
Her popular TED Talk ranked Mid Year Top #40 Most Popular TEDx Talks 2022 and she was nominated for the RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Award 2022.
Dr. Karyn has given over 1000 keynotes to more than half a million people in 17 countries, including Fortune 500 companies, professionals, parents, and hundreds of school boards across North America.
She was invited to collaborate with professors from The Wharton School to develop an EQ curriculum for family businesses and The Consul General of Canada in New York hosted a private reception honoring her work for organizations and families.
Dr. Karyn has a Doctorate in Marriage & Family with additional certifications in leadership, Emotional Intelligence and career direction. She has served as the media spokesperson for Maple Leaf Foods, Microsoft, eHarmony and UNICEF.
Dr. Karyn is a professional counselor for 25 years, an executive coach, and she is also a media personality who has consulted for Good Morning America, Forbes, Inc, The New York Times and Cityline. Key Points
• The 'Three Chairs' concept explained
• CARDS: 5 skills for confidence • Confidence impacts decisions
• Visual tools for learning
• Goal setting boosts growth
Best Quotes
09:30 - 09:42
• "So the first step is to understanding the chairs, then the mindset. The second is understanding the impact. And the third step is then how we get ourselves all in the middle chair. Because this is learned. It is not genetic, which is why I love this topic so much."
10:18 - 10:31
• "But we really wanna spend as much time as we can in that middle chair and that confident, comfortable chair where we're not afraid of feedback, we're not afraid of people helping us be better. We're learning and growing every day." 11:19 - 11:27
• "So a lot of us, we don't even realize, why am I making this decision? We're not gonna realize, but deep underneath it all is our mindset."
12:00 - 12:12
• "A lot of times when I coach and teach this, whether or not it's with c-suites or managers or parents or teenagers, people will say, okay, when I'm at school, I'm sitting here. When I get home, I sit here."
12:44 - 12:51
• "It's a great leadership framework because it, you, it impacts who you hire, who you fire, who you, you know, who you promote."
In this week's episode I am joined by Carrie Sun!
Carrie Sun was born in China and raised in Michigan. She is a math and finance dual-degree graduate of MIT, successful Fidelity Investments analyst, and holds an MFA in creative writing from The New School.
Private Equity is her first book - gripping memoir of one woman's self-discovery inside a top Wall Street hedge fund, and an urgent indictment of privilege, extreme wealth, and work culture.
PRIVATE EQUITY not only chronicles her experience within the instant tornado of information, colossal expectations, packed schedules, 24/7 accountability, and normalized last-second changes to plans (all set to world-class standards), but, more importantly, provides a searing examination of our relationship to achievement, family, labor, the promise and destructive power of money, and the illusiveness of our own identity.
Key Points
• Resetting Life's Optimization Equation
• High Performers: Excellence & Intensity
• Flying Private vs Choosing Simplicity
• Burnout: The Pitfall of Constant Optimization
• Defining Success on Your Own Terms
Best Quotes
06:49 - 06:59
• "And I think what drove certainly me, my boss, and I, from what I can tell everyone else at the firm, was just this constant drive for excellence."
14:22 - 14:34
• "I just, I now substitute it with new variables. There's nothing more meaningful to me than writing and seeing my worth on a page at the end of a day."
28:56 - 29:08
• "I think it intersects with your philosophy of life so, so much and to be able to just have an impact and bring about the energy that I want in the world..."
48:12 - 48:18
• "But I also think that that future comes from actually confronting your past self."
51:52 - 52:10
• "I really wanted my book to be one woman's journey of professional sort of self-realization and coming of age and to just, but also more than that, it's primarily set at work, but it's so much more than that."
For more about Carrie: https://www.carriesun.com/
In this week's episode, I am joined by Kristin Kirkpatrick & Dr. Ibrahim Hanouneh!
Kristin Kirkpatrick, MS, RD is a bestselling author, presenter, president and CEO of KAK Nutrition Consulting, a dietitian with the Department of Wellness & Preventive Medicine at Cleveland Clinic, and a senior fellow with Meadows Behavioral Healthcare. She has appeared on the TODAY show, NBC Nightly News, and Fox News, among others, and has contributed to publications such as The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and TIME.
Dr. Ibrahim Hanouneh completed his internal medicine residency and gastroenterology and hepatology fellowship training at the Cleveland Clinic. He served as an associate staff at the Cleveland Clinic before moving to Minnesota to join MNGI Digestive Health in 2015, currently serving on their Board of Directors. Dr. Hanouneh has spent a great deal of time in liver disease. He has a passion for studies related to fatty liver. He has presented at several national and international meetings and has been an author on over seventy papers as well as numerous abstracts.
Key Points
• 1 in 4 people have silent fatty liver
• Metabolic syndrome links to liver health
• Diet choices are key, not just weight
• Intermittent fasting as a health strategy
• Seven colors of food for liver rejuvenation
• Small diet changes make a big difference
Best Quotes
02:19 - 02:26
• "The liver is so incredibly resilient. I mean, talk about an organ that takes a beating and just keeps coming back."
05:00 - 05:07
• "This disease has nothing to do with alcohol. It is, has all to do with metabolic syndrome."
10:35 - 10:49
• "So when we think about waist size, we were really interested in waste versus BMI... but waist size is a great indicator because it indicates what kind of fat you have and where is it in terms of the closest to other organs."
11:28 - 11:42
• "So when we came up with what are the four metabolic profiles, we essentially tune them in terms of what is your waist? So is your waist lean or non-lean? And then in addition to that, what is your, what does your metabolic numbers look like?"
27:27 - 27:32
• "Coffee detoxes your liver, believe it or not, very useful for fatty liver disease."
For more information on Kirstin, visit here: https://www.kristinkirkpatrick.com/
For more information on Ibrahim, visit here: https://www.mngi.com/provider/ibrahim-hanouneh-md
In this week's episode, I am joined by Jamie Gruber!
Jamie is an entrepreneur, multifamily investor, mastermind leader, and the host of the popular Tribe of Millionaires Podcast.
Several years ago, Jamie quit his high-paying corporate job to pursue his entrepreneurial dreams and has since become a passionate messenger for others seeking to make big pivots in life.
Whether through the podcast or his work with the Gobundance mastermind group, Jamie is on a mission to help as many people as possible escape unfulfilling jobs and careers to pursue lives filled with meaning, authenticity, and freedom. Key Points
• Finding fulfillment beyond high income
• The struggle of leaving corporate for freedom
• Harnessing energy in right direction
• Finding freedom through bold choices• Leveraging relationships, not return
Best Quotes
02:21 - 02:28
• "Walking away from that was a big piece as well. You know, I got the job I dreamed of, I thought it was gonna fulfill me. I thought it was the thing that was missing in my life."
03:27 - 03:39
• "So when I made the decision to jump, which was in April of 2021, honestly it was, I, I didn't really have, I did not have a replacement for my income fully."
03:41 - 03:53
• "I had money saved and I had a thought and an ambition and a dream. And amazingly, it was extremely, it was an extremely calm and, and, and i, a non-emotional decision."
27:36 - 27:45
• "I could see this going. That was that thing I believed in when I left and I had some real estate to anchor me. That was that thing I believed in when I left and I had some real estate to anchor me."
For more about Jamie visit: https://www.gobundanceemerge.com/?
In this week's episode, I am joined by Dr. Neha Sangwan!
Dr. Sangwan, CEO and founder of Intuitive Intelligence, is an internal medicine physician, international speaker and corporate communication expert.
Her private practice and corporate consulting focuses on empowering individuals, organizational leaders, and their teams with the tools for clear, effective communication.
She addresses the root cause of stress, miscommunication, and interpersonal conflict, often healing chronic conditions such as headaches, insomnia, anxiety, and depression.
She regularly consults with organizations such as the American Heart Association, American Express, Kaiser Permanente, and Google, and has shared her keynote presentation on the stages of TEDx.
Key Points
• The profound link between body and emotions
• Overcoming the trap of people-pleasing
• Understanding the people pleaser in you
• The power of saying "no" with confidence
• Building self-trust in personal & work life
• Embracing life's lessons for growth
Best Quotes
05:09 - 05:20
• "So what I will tell you is that the first time that I heard them, you know, after I was 30, I thought to myself, oh, there's never gonna be an end to climbing other people's mountains."
06:51 - 07:02
• "When I decided to figure out what I valued and what I stood for, I get to be the same me at work, at home with friends."
13:48 - 13:57
• "Self trust and the ability for us to know and trust in something higher."
35:05 - 35:15
• "Every interaction, experience, and relationship is meant to help us grow."
35:20 - 35:37
• "If we trust ourselves and we trust each other to do this sacred dance of our souls together, where we learn our life lessons together, we can evolve as one world family, serving as a catalyst to make this happen is the purpose of my life."
40:17 - 40:29
• "And that's my wish for people that, you know, society tells us that it's gonna be money and the name on your door and whether you have a corner office and what car you drive and how many likes you have on social media and all these things."
In this week's episode, I am joined by Darleen Santore, AKA Coach Dar! Coach Dar is passionate about helping people break through adversity to achieve greatness. Recently named Senior Fellow of PathNorth—an organization of world leaders and CEOs of Fortune 100 companies—her powerful message continues to reach a global audience.
Coach Dar blends a knowledge of psychology, life, experience, and her personal mission in life to inspire greatness in everyone she meets. The result? Individuals, corporate executives, and professional athletes discover their own personal missions, individual gifts, and set their sights on the goals that they thought impossible.
It is her unique style and approach during transformational seminars, high-impact speaking engagements, and exclusive one-on-one sessions that has helped countless people say NO to the status quo, raise the bar in their lives, and breakthrough adversity to reignite their fire.
Coach Dar was awarded the Most Inspiring Woman of 2017 by the WNBA, recognized in the 2018 VoyagerPhoenix series titled Trailblazers: Rewriting The Narrative, and is a founding member of WISH (Women in Service and Hope) for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in Phoenix.
Coach Dar is also a United States Ambassador for the Global Pay It Forward Day Initiative, driven by the belief that #RaisingTheBar includes acts of kindness that leave every person and every place we encounter better than when we found them.
Key Points
• Tools to recover fast from setbacks
• Family roots cultivate resilience
• Faith is the fuel for adversity
• Gratitude shapes a fulfilling life
• Depth creates enduring relationships
Best Quotes
04:14 - 04:19
• "So I suffered a stroke. I did have paralysis, but it messed up my vision, my perception, my speech."
05:10 - 05:24
• "But here's the difference. When you start to learn mental skills, which is the specialty that I teach now over the years, I train on this, I train how to get yourself mentally fit so when the hits come, you know how to deal with them."
08:21 - 08:41
• "Because it gives you hopes. You, you understand you're not doing this on your own strength anymore. There's a bigger purpose. And there are so many, what I call God winks, things that just remind you that there is absolutely something bigger that is overseeing our lives in this world."
19:13 - 19:25
• "So no matter what happens, someone goes down, you got someone that's gonna pick it right back up. You have depth in your world. And man, that just fits. If you want longevity in life, have community and have depth around you."
For more about Coach Dar: https://www.coachdar.com/In this week's episode, I am joined by Dr. Sue Varma! Dr. Sue Varma, MD, PC, DFAPA, is a distinguished psychiatrist and cognitive behavioral therapist based in New York City.
With over two decades of private practice experience, Dr. Varma has made significant contributions to the field of mental health.
Dr. Varma holds the position of Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at New York University (NYU) Langone Health.
Her accomplishments have been recognized by the American Psychiatric Association (APA), where she was honored as a Distinguished Fellow.
Dr. Varma has garnered national acclaim as a sought-after medical commentator, appearing on major news programs and networks.
Her expertise has been instrumental in guiding the public through various mental health challenges, from trauma and resilience to stress management and relationship issues.
Dr. Varma can frequently be seen discussing breaking news on the morning shows including the Today Show, CBS Mornings and GMA, as well as prime time specials and news documentaries.
Dr. Varma is a captivating speaker, engaging diverse audiences with her messages of inspiration, compassion, and hope.
From C-suite executives to healthcare professionals, educators, and the general public, she imparts valuable knowledge on topics such as self-compassion, psychological safety, work-life balance, and women's mental health.
Throughout her career, Dr. Varma has received numerous prestigious awards for her groundbreaking work in mental health education and advocacy, including the Sharecare Emmy and a Mayoral Proclamation.
Notably, she was recognized as one of the world's top five leading health experts by Global Citizen for her contributions during the pandemic.
Dr. Varma's integrative approach to mental health, encompassing the 4 Ms of mental health, empowers individuals to boost their mood, mastery, and sense of meaning in life. Key Points
• Aligning life with true desires
• Growth as a measure of life
• Interdependence vs. Independence
• The power of purpose in life
• Relationships as a cornerstone of health
• Aligning your career with passion
• Practical optimism, not toxic positivity
• Parenthood with purposeful growth
Best Quotes04:54 - 05:03
• "I want to give people tools and not everybody will see a therapist, whether it's for because of cost, because of availability, because of any number of barriers."
14:16 - 14:26
• " don't want to ever be driven by fame and likes and all these things that, that are soul crushing and make you empty and are endless."
19:37 - 19:45
• "I just thought of myself as never good at school, but I didn't realize I actually had something that was treatable or diagnosable that I could have if I'd gotten treatment for it."
29:11 - 29:24
• "Good for you, good for the person who, who, who knew from a young age, if they were like a musician, you know, or an artist, like a lot of times people will say I was good at it. And then also they had luckily a parent that had the time to invest."
40:53 - 40:58
• "Practical optimism teaches you that the glass is refillable and there's free refills."
For more about Dr. Sue Varma, visit here: https://www.doctorsuevarma.com/
In this week's episode I am joined by Eric Hinman! At 26, Eric's career dictated his life. He worked set hours, dressed the part, followed a schedule dictated by others and he didn't really exercise.
He traded his time for money, and cared deeply about the public perception of success.
But he was miserable...
Now at 43, Eric's life dictates his career and he gets to live his best day ever, every day.
Eric is a hybrid athlete (5x Ironman and counting), an angel investor, serial entrepreneur,and brand builder, who specializes in scaling early-stage consumer and wellness brands.
Eric works to build, grow, and evolve businesses in the health + wellness space with brands including Ten Thousand, Slate, Ice Barrel, SISU, HVMN, The Normal Brand, Blokes, MASA Chips, Kane, Flux, GORUCK, Kreatures of Habit, and more.
He has partnered with some of the biggest names and brands to help them launch, scale, and exit. Key Points
• Life's imbalance can lead to fulfillment
• Ironman training teaches balance lessons
• Burnout and learning when to delegate
• Slowing down boosts productivity
• Crafting the perfect day for success
Best Quotes 04:16 - 04:25
• "I realized that like, I'm having fun. It's, it's fun. I'm not out of balance in a way where I'm like, my job sucks, my relationship suck, my life sucks."
13:14 - 13:25
• "I'm hitting the gas and then I hit the brakes and, you know, that's kind of how the months flow oftentimes for me too is I'm hitting the gas for several months and then I, I pump the brakes a bit."
17:47 - 17:56
• "My, I generally reserve my CrossFit session, which is the hardest training. I'll do that day for the morning and then afterwards I know my mind is gonna be on fire, I'm gonna be sharp, I'm gonna be energized." 32:15 - 32:24
• "The beautiful thing about the internet is it allows for compound interest much easier than, you know, a brick and mortar store in a town."
For more about Eric: https://erichinman.com/
In this week's episode, I am joined by Lee Benson!
Lee Benson is the business scaling master who grew his first company, Able Aerospace from 3 to 500 employees with 15 consecutive years of 20 percent compounded average annual growth before his exit of 9-figures.
Now, he is on a mission to equip parents with a simple roadmap to help their kids understand finances and value, in his brand new book Value Creation Kid.
Lee is also the WSJ, Amazon and USA Today Bestselling Author of Your Most Important Number.
Key Points:
• Value creation in family talks
• Gravy Stack Method: A family blueprint
• The Importance of Healthy Struggles
• The powerful tug of intrinsic motivation
• Value creation's critical role in society
Best Quotes:
05:17 - 05:25
• "I always encourage parents to start with what would the ideal launched high school, graduating senior into adulthood look like?"
05:26 - 05:35
• "In the Gravy Stack book that we have here, a value creation kid, and the subtitle is really important, the healthy struggles that your children need to succeed."
05:41 - 05:50
• "You could, you could call it operationalizing value creation in the family to step by step, you know, walk them through becoming these amazing adults over time."
31:30 - 31:40
• "But wow, I really admire how close and loving your family is in the emotional energy when I come over to, for, you know, a barbecue in the backyard."
40:20 - 40:23
• "And the kids today are gonna be running the world that I age out in."
44:14 - 44:25
• "I believe that everybody does what's in their own best self-interest, whether it's for this life or the next, I think everybody does. So by definition everyone is selfish, but are you win-win selfish or are you win-lose?"
In this week's episode, I am joined by Dr. Jud Brewer!
Jud Brewer, MD, Ph.D. ("Dr. Jud") blends over 20 years of experience with mindfulness training and a career in scientific research. He is passionate about understanding how our brains work, and how to use that knowledge to help people make deep, permanent change in their lives — with the goal of reducing suffering in the world at large.
Dr. Jud is the director of research and innovation at Brown University's Mindfulness Center, and the executive medical director of behavioral health at Sharecare, the digital health company helping people manage all their health in one place.
He has developed and tested novel mindfulness programs for habit change, including Unwinding Anxiety, Eat Right Now and Craving to Quit.
Based on the success of these programs, he co-founded MindSciences, Inc. to create app-based digital therapeutic versions of these programs for a wider audience, to put effective, evidence-based behavior change guidance in the hands of people struggling with unwanted behaviors and "everyday addictions." Sharecare, Inc. acquired MindSciences in 2020.
His published work has been featured on 60 Minutes, TED, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Today Show, TIME, The Washington Post, Forbes, CNN, BBC, NPR, and more.
Current work - The Hunger Habit: As Jud did for addiction and anxiety, he is now doing for hunger. In The Hunger Habit (on sale Jan 9, 2024), Jud examines how "hunger" went from a tenant of survival to a mechanism for pleasure, an outlet for pain, and a habit rather than a need. Key Points
• Habits: Trigger, Behavior, Reward
• Mind as Habit Loop Map
• Anxiety & Worry as Habits
• Cravings: Awareness Kills Them
• Bigger, Better Offers to Habits
Best Quotes
17:47 - 18:02
• "When we can see very, very clearly that an old habit is not actually rewarding, we get something what's called in our brain, we get a negative prediction error, meaning we, our brain expected it to be, you know, at some level of reward and it's not as good as expected."
19:13 - 19:22
• "You know, I, I was thinking, okay, they're probably gaining weight. 'cause most people, you know, they eat as a replacement for smoking, right? They provide a substitute behavior."
19:52 - 19:56
• "So this reward thing, and I was talking about, you know, something has a certain reward value."
24:19 - 24:26
• "So we create this unwaning anxiety app and we do a randomized controlled trial in people with generalized anxiety disorder."
46:15 - 46:25
• "If we look at those and we, you know, we have this craving to eat, we, we can fight that craving, right? That's that willpower depletion type of thing at best."
59:39 - 59:50
• "And I'll also say, let's, let's circle back to Ted. You know, the belief comes from experiencing these things ourself."
For more about Dr. Jud: https://drjud.com/
In this week's episode, I am joined by Andrew Reiner!
Andrew is the author of "Better Boys, Better Men: The New Masculinity That Creates Greater Courage and Emotional Resiliency"
He is also a professor at Towson University, where he offers the seminar "The Changing Face of Masculinity."
He has written on masculinity and men's issues for the New York Times, Italy's La Repubblica, and The Washington Post Magazine.
His work has been featured on NPR and the Canadian Broadcasting Company, as well as in The Guardian, Men's Health magazine, and Forbes.
He speaks about masculinity regularly at schools and conferences around the world.
Key Points
• Exploring masculinity and change
• The importance of fathers in growth
• Gender roles and partnership equality
• Embracing authentic emotional needs
• Legacy and raising resilient boys
Best Quotes
05:04 - 05:21
• "So for me, that represented an awareness, a growing awareness of so many different forms of this kind of masculinity that was being imposed on us, not just by the adults, but by each other as boys that I just grew to hate."
07:22 - 07:29
• "I decided at that moment, I didn't know why, but I was not gonna hide the tears. I was not gonna, not only was I not gonna hide them, but I wasn't gonna wipe them away." 11:15 - 11:24
• "And so one of the challenges with changing the terms when it comes to masculinity are how it's received by absolutely their partners and women."
32:28 - 32:48
• "That's exactly right. Exactly. And, and I think that this is the kind of conversation you and I are having right now around fatherhood is, is a, something a lot of men could sorely benefit from, is having these kinds of very real, you know, very honest conversations about, about, you know, what it means to be a father."
35:17 - 35:30
• "Who do you turn to when you really want to open up emotionally? Typically, you know, typically there'll be of maybe 15 students in the class, you know, one or two of them will have, you know, maybe a father who says, I don't really go to anybody."
51:02 - 51:14
• "Men also need to learn that it is not unmanly and, and you're not falling short as a man, if you have needs, deeper needs, that you are also working hard to get them met as well."
For more about Andrew visit: www.andrewreinerauthor.com
In this week's episode, I am joined by Chris Ullman! Chris Ullman is president of Ullman Communications, a strategic advisory firm.
Previously he served as Director of Global Communications at The Carlyle Group, led communications at the White House Budget Office, ran the public affairs office at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and was spokesman for the U.S House Budget Committee.
Chris is the Strategic Communications Expert in Residence at High Point University, a Senior Advisor at Narrative Strategies, and a Trustee of The Fund for American Studies.
He earned his B.A. in political science from Binghamton University and is a four-time international whistling champion and member of the Whistlers Hall of Fame.
Chris is the author of Find Your Whistle: Simple Gifts Touch Hearts and Change Lives. His latest book is Four Billionaires and A Parking Attendant: Success Strategies of the Wealthy, Powerful, and Just Plain Wise.
He and his wife Kristen have three children and live in Alexandria, VA. Key Points
• Serendipity and lauding life's journey
• Choosing happiness and loving action
• Finding purpose to energize your days
• Gratitude's power in high-performers
• Purpose found in every moment.
• Success redefined beyond wealth.
Best Quotes
01:59 - 02:03
• "I think we have a duty to use those gifts to the, to the best that we can."
05:39 - 05:47
• "It's the journey, not the destination. Because while you, you have to have goals because that gives you purpose." 07:33 - 07:39
• "But when you give to the world, you have to give a little bit of yourself in a connection."
10:22 - 10:25
• "But why not give him the benefit of the doubt until he proves otherwise?"
32:50 - 32:56
• "You are now moving, and if you are moving, the odds are you're going to continue moving."
In this week's episode, I am joined by Dr. Steven Gundry! Dr. Steven Gundry is a well-known cardiothoracic heart surgeon, medical researcher, and author. During his 40-year career, Dr. Gundry has performed 10,000 surgeries and developed patented, life saving medical technology. After discovering how diet could help his patients avoid surgery, he wrote, "Dr. Gundry's Diet Evolution" in 2008 which outlines his unique nutrition plan for wellness. In April 2017, he released his second book, "The Plant Paradox" that further refines this revolutionary eating program, helping tens of thousands of people lose weight and achieve better health. Following this he released, The Energy Paradox, a New York Times bestseller. Dr. Gundry is the founder of Gundry MD which has one mission: To help dramatically improve human health, happiness, and longevity through his unique vision of diet and nutrition. Key Points • Gut health is key to reversing disease. • Why disease starts in the gut • Dr. Gundry's transformative diet tips • The power of fermented foods for health • Avoid certain foods for autoimmune improvement. • Listen to your body's response to food. Best Quotes 03:22 - 03:25 • "I decided to become a doctor after reading a book in my elementary school." 11:54 – 12:03 • "But in fact, all disease does begin in the gut. And the good news is all disease can be reversed from the gut." 15:57 - 16:11 • "These various bacteria produce compounds that control our brain, control our mood control, our hunger control, you name it, they control it." 22:41 - 22:52 • "Every patient I've ever seen with a disease you choose the disease has measurements of leaky gut that we can do a blood test and see leaky gut." 54:03 - 54:13 • "Only the group that got the fermented foods plus the fiber got more microbiome diversity and their inflammation went down." For more about Dr. Gundry visit: www.drgundry.com Make sure you check out his new book "Gut Check" that launches January 9, 2024!
In this week's episode I am joined by Mark Black!
Mark is the author of "Live Life from the Heart".
Born with a life-threatening heart defect, Mark underwent two open-heart surgeries before age one. Twenty-two years later, after waiting on the transplant list for nearly a year, Mark was blessed to survive a perilous heart and double-lung transplant.
Three years later, Mark became the only man in history to run a marathon with someone else's heart and lungs. Then he did it 3 more times.
Mark has travelled the globe as an author, speaker, and coach, sharing strategies and tactics for building resilience. His story has impacted more than 150,000 people at more than 700 organizations including ExxonMobil, AstraZeneca, and Mercedes-Benz.
Mark is married to his superhero wife Marise. They live on the east coast of Canada with their 3 healthy children, Emma, Mateo, and Caleb.
Key Points
• Born with a critical heart condition
• Parents' unique approach to fostering resilience
• Transitioning from patient to motivator
• Achieving the "impossible": running post-transplant marathons
• Crafting the "Resilience Roadmap" for life's challenges
Best Quotes
00:59 - 01:14
• "So when I was born, I turned blue. Within a few minutes, doctors go, uhoh, something's wrong. Start running some tests, figure out that there's this blockage in this valve, and tell my then 23-year-old first time parents..."
03:33 - 03:40
• "But, so I would like, despite all of the hard stuff, I was a competitive athlete until I was about 14 years old."
04:54 - 05:11
• " I think if there's the trade off of can we allow them to have small failures and setbacks and discomforts when the stakes are lower So that if and when, well really when, 'cause who escapes life without them, they face some bigger ones."
08:17 - 08:27
• "I got home at the end of that school year. I had been away for two or three months since the last time I had been home. And as soon as my mom saw me, she went, holy smokes. Like, what's going on? Something's wrong."
09:24 - 09:36
• "And I'd been in and out of heart failure a couple of times before, but never this severe. And I ended up, they ended up keeping me for almost a month while they stabilized me ransomware tests."
13:56 - 14:02
• "So the five year survival rate of a heart lung transplant is about 50%. So like, basically half the people make it five years."
29:56 - N/A
• "Nothing changes, nothing changes. So it's great to like write down your new Year's resolutions, but if you're the, you know, going to live January 2nd the same way you lived the last year, then probably nothing's gonna change, right?"
35:25 - 35:34
• "It proves to yourself, oh, I can do these things. And so when the next challenge comes, you can have that armor with you of like, oh, I've done stuff like this before."
For more about Mark: www.markblack.ca
In this week's episode, I am joined by Justin Gary! Justin Gary is an award winning designer, author, speaker, and entrepreneur.
He is CEO of Stone Blade Entertainment and lead designer of the hit Ascension brand.
He has studied creativity and applied the principles of design to create dozens of products over his 20 years in the industry.
He writes and teaches about design to schools, businesses, and conferences around the globe.
Key Points
• Universe whispers, then shouts
• Gaming passion pivots into career
• Creativity as a learned skill
• Body signals about life's misalignments
• Industry arbitrage for success
• Curiosity leads to unexpected paths
• Philosophy's impact on creativity
Best Quotes
• "And this is one of the most, one of the most powerful things you can find is like the, the universe will, will start whispering messages to you, and then it will start shouting at you."
02:05 - 02:11
• "I call it infectious enthusiasm. Like, I get super excited about something and then I can get other people excited about it."
03:51 - 03:59
• "I was, I was kept in my debate team and I went to, I actually went to law school and I gave up my gaming career, even though I had already been making a living playing games."
04:12 - 04:19
• "I remember very specifically just, I'm at NYU law, I'm trudging through the snow in the morning. I'm just cold. I'm miserable."
05:29 - N/A • "Yeah, it's, it's so interesting because our body actually will start to give us signals before the rest of us ever ever even know what's happening."
11:15 - 11:30
• "There's this myth that the creative people have this secret sauce and that there are these, you know, they'll, the lone genius that goes off into like some mountain top somewhere, and then it comes back that they, you know, fully formed idea that thou is a brilliant thing, right? That is the most corrosive myth in our society right now."
20:49 - 20:52
For more about Justin: www.justingary.com
In this week's episode I am joined by Traver Boehm!
Traver is the Founder of UNcivilized Men's Movement, the fastest growing men's movement in the world.
He is the author of Today I Rise, and Man UNcivilized as well as a two-time TEDx speaker, men's coach and podcaster.
Drawing upon an eclectic background ranging from professional bodyguard and Mixed Martial Arts to a Master's Degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine and meditation, Traver counsels men, women, and couples on how to better understand men's mental health and relationship difficulties.
With a passion for people and a unique lens through which to view the human experience, Traver is a highly sought after teacher in the fields of consciousness, relationship, and personal development.
Key Points
• Modern masculinity's complex challenges
• The vital impact of elder male influences
• Education system's mismatch with boys' needs
• Importance of men expressing vulnerability
• Building boys into men with purpose & empathy
• Societal expectations of men
• Emotional intelligence for men
Best Quotes
02:29 - 02:37
• "We are, we are at so many odd junctures, we are at the, the call for men, right?"
03:17 - 03:23
• "So we're in this real con, we're we're confused about what to do with men in Western society."
03:35 - 03:42
• " You don't just become a man because you turn 18, right?" 11:01 - 11:08
• "And the thing from the top of the mountain, we're gonna give you a new name. We're gonna teach you what it means to be a man." 14:46 - 14:54
• "I don't think, and I never have thought that masculinity needed to be discarded. I think it needed a bit of an upgrade." 36:10 - 36:22
• "I'm satisfied at the end of a hard day. I'm satisfied when I write something and I get emails back saying, thank you, that changed my life. I'm satisfied at the end of a fucking hard workout."
50:09 - 50:21
• "A strong mother will raise a strong human can raise an empathetic human, can raise a good man, but it actually does take a man to teach a young boy what the job will be."
For more about Traver visit: www.manuncivilised.com/about
In this week's episode, I am joined by Dean Hall! Dean Hall is a seasoned veteran in the coaching field, with over 30 years and 50,000 hours of face-to-face experience.
A two-time cancer survivor, world record-setting extreme endurance athlete, and no stranger to personal hardship, Dean has the life experience to stand behind his techniques and advice.
Dean firmly believes that reconnecting ourselves to nature has the power to change our lives for the better.
He discovered this first-hand when, while swimming the entire length of the Willamette River, nature healed his leukemia and he was surprised to find he was in a state of radical remission.
Now, his mission in life is to lead and inspire others to discover the healing powers of nature for themselves.
Key Points
• Conquering cancer with love
• Power of nature in healing
• Finding passion and purpose
• Resilience infused with love
• Living each day with gratitude
Best Quotes
04:29 - 04:41
• "And I found that as he did that, if you have a passionate purpose, and it doesn't have to make sense to anybody else, you just have to really be passionate about it yourself."
06:14 - 06:23
• "And I believe when you fight anything, it creates cortisol. And cortisol and adrenaline rushes."
07:21 - 07:34
• "So I just lost everything. But even then, I found there were a lot of things, if I concentrated on what I could love about my life, there were things every day that I could love." 08:00 - 08:23
• " this is how I still try to live, loving everything as the big purpose and the motivation, having a mission or a purpose that's bigger than myself and something that it doesn't have to make sense to anybody else, but gets me excited."
15:03 - 15:09
• "Today I'm fine. So I always concentrate on what I call micro moments."
15:10 - 15:13
• "Micro moments, moments. Right. Now, I get to be here with you."
15:37 - 15:47
• "And most of us are, and the problem with this modern digital age is we are just so stuck to our digital devices."
In this week's episode, I am joined by Eddie Penney! Eddie us the founder & CEO of Contingent Group, a former SEAL team 6 operator, motivational speaker and author.
Eddie spent twenty years in the US military as a Marine infantryman and Navy SEAL, completing seven combat deployments during the Global War on Terrorism, five of which were with the US Navy's most elite unit.
Eddie is a motivational speaker, mentor, and founder of the UNAFRAID brand. He lives in the Dallas area with his wife and their five children. Key Points
• Navy SEAL confronts personal struggles
• Mindset shift through faith and fatherhood
• Combating life's 'wars' both internal & external
• Embracing the imperfect journey of growth • The power of faith in personal transformation
• Discussing fears and societal pressures
• Eddie's mission with the Unafraid brand
Best Quotes
06:29 - 06:34
• "I found the Lord, found Christ. And that has just taken me on a whole new journey."
06:36 - 06:41
• "If you can heal me from certain bondages and addictions, what else can you do?"
08:08 - 08:11
• "There's peace on the other side of the war. There's, there's peace."
10:37 - 10:42
• "The only person that's dealing with that and feeling those things is myself and the Lord who knows all."
17:38 - 17:45
• "We all have things that we need to be improving on. And it's a and that is the, that is where the joy is, is in that journey." 28:41 - 28:52
• "It doesn't matter what happens around you, what someone says, what they post about you, what they, you know, gossip about you. It doesn't matter as long as you're good here, it doesn't matter what goes around here."
For more about Eddie visit: www.eddiepenney.com
In this week's episode, I am joined by Jason Goldberg. Jason Goldberg is a Global Keynote Speaker on Future-Proof Leadership and is a Mental Performance and Leadership Coach for Celebrities, Change Makers and CEOs.
He is also the host of The Jason Goldberg is Ruining Podcasting Podcast, author of the #1 International Best-Seller on Self-Leadership entitled "Prison Break" and creator of the Playful Prosperity AND Competition-Proof Business Immersion programs.
Jason has been a featured expert on media outlets including ABC, CBS, and FOX as well as teaching on the MindValley and SoulPancake platforms.
He has also founded multiple start-ups including one in partnership with NASA and the space shuttle program. Key Points
• Discovering a personal mission that brings joy
• The impact of joy on humanity's wellbeing
• Embracing imperfection for life optimization
• Jason's journey from weight struggles to wisdom
• Elements of self-leadership with diverse identities
Best Quotes
05:14 - 05:23
• "It occurred to me in that moment that people who feel seen, who feel heard, who feel joyful, it doesn't occur to them to inflict harm on other people."
10:13 - 10:21
• "So from a very young age, I realized, oh, humor and empathy without having the the words for it are what allow me to feel like I have some value and allow me to feel like I have some connection."
11:19 - 11:26
• "So this whole transformation thing has been great, but really it's about going back to first order principles. Who am I really at my core?"
12:45 - 12:51
• "It's like an okay, it's one you can't overdose on and it doesn't have any long lasting impact negatively on your system." For more about Jason visit: www.jasongoldberg.com
In this week's episode, I am joined by Kute Blackson. Kute Blackson offers a fresh, bold look at spiritual awareness for a whole new generation.
Born in Ghana, West Africa, Kute's multicultural upbringing as the child of a Japanese mother and a Ghanaian father has spanned four different continents. His unique lineage lay the foundation for his approach to breaking down barriers and unlocking an individual's true gifts and greatness.
Though Kute was raised all over the world, he had always dreamed of life in America. As if by kismet, he won a green card just after finishing school in London. He came to America alone just months later, with no connections or prospects.
When Kute arrived in Los Angeles, all he had to his name were two suitcases and the dream of seeking out the spiritual and self-help icons who had inspired him when he was a boy.
Kute quickly learned that the "outside-in" approach favored by so many in the personal development space had to become an inside-out approach. So he decided to create his own method—a process that liberates the individual and the true self at the core and then pushes those gifts outward into the universe. This helps the individual get in touch with who they really are. It is a process of breaking free—so that the individual can live, give, and share the truest expression of their self. This is what Kute calls "Liberated Living."
Key Points
• Surrender's deeper meaning unveiled • Kute's internal debate against his father's path
• Encounters that reshape life's journey
• The profound impact of death's reality • Embracing surrender as the path to freedom • Learning to listen to life's deeper calling
Best Quotes
07:51 - 07:59
• "At 18, that's when I would say the foundation of my life was set, because I felt my soul calling me to go to America."
08:34 - 08:41
• "I think sometimes what your soul guides you to do doesn't always make sense to your mind."
15:06 - 15:15
• "It has a awakening effect on one's consciousness, a healing effect in one's nervous system. And so I heard about the Camino 900 kilometers."
15:30 - 15:38
• "All of a sudden I see this guy, and this is how faith works. This is how when you are following your soul, the universe supports you."
23:55 - 24:11
• "You might not think you're making a difference, but you are. And I had a conversation with a guy in the Camino that he doesn't know. He's still impacting my life 20 years later."
31:43 - 31:52
• "The truth is, we're all going to die. You will die. You are gonna die. None of us know when that moment will happen."
For more about Kute visit: www.kuteblackson.com For more about his book "The Magic of Surrender" visit: https://kuteblackson.com/get-book/
In this week's episode, I am joined by Richard Shotton! Richard started his career as a media planner 18 years ago, working on accounts such as Coke, Lexus, and compare the market, before specializing in applying behavioral science to business problems.
His bestselling book The Choice Factory, is a masterclass in how to apply his findings from behavioral science to advertising.
Richard has just launched a brand new training course, Furmint, showing how companies big and small can apply behavioral science to marketing campaigns to solve their problems and increase effectiveness.
He is the founder of Astroten, a consultancy that applies behavioral science to marketing.
Key Points
• Transform flaws into marketing wins
• Influence through authentic imperfections
• Behavioral science in real-world scenarios
• The unexpected power of negative reviews
• Missteps of misunderstanding your market
Best Quotes
05:04
• "But he talks about a series of studies by two American psychologists called Latané and Darley. And they came up with this idea called the Bystander Effect
07:32 - 07:41
• "by making it something so important for a smaller number of people, it really did impact a greater number, a greater number for the entire initiative."
15:35 - 15:54
• "The, the, the other bit that's really interesting if people are thinking about the advertising and marketing angle is the, the final benefit of the pratfall effect is if you are very clever about this, if you pick the right flaw, on many occasions, flaws have mirror strengths."
16:10 - 16:18
• "Think about what's your core strength, and then is there a weakness that you could admit that might emphasize that core strength?"
16:28 - 16:39
• "I would sometimes compare to their competitors. I would say sometimes don't try and hide that away. Emphasizing you're a bit more expensive, firstly shows immense honesty and therefore people believe everything else you say."
20:29 - 20:40
• "People are skeptical about empty claims. The great thing about admitting a flaw is it's not just a claim, it is a tangible demonstration of honesty." For more about Richard visit: www.richardshotton.com
In this week's episode I am joined by Greg Scheinman! Greg's philosophy toward work and life is simple: surround yourself with people you love and trust and ideas you care about. Bring passion, authenticity, humility, and transparency to everything you do.
Greg Scheinman has experienced the highest highs— two seven-figure exits from companies he founded or helped build, success as a high-level executive— and the lowest lows— the loss of his father, panic attacks, depression, and alcoholism.
Through it all, he's developed a method for maximizing your life to fulfil your potential and start living during a time when too many believe they're "past their prime."
Now, he's living his message every day as the Founder & Face of Midlife Male, the premier digital media platform for Middle Aged Men and the brands that want to reach them.
Greg is also a former partner at Insgroup, acquired by BRP (NASDAQ) and the founder and former CEO of Team Baby Entertainment, acquired by Michael Eisner of Disney. He was also the founder and CEO of ROW Studios, producer of two successful feature films, and advisor to multiple CPG brands.
At 50 years old, Greg is in the best condition of his life. He is a 2x winner of The D10 Decathlon, took 3rd place at HYROX Nationals, and participates in Adventure Challenges including 29029 Eversting, DekaFit and Spartan. Greg is also an ISSA certified trainer and CrossFit L1 trainer.
Key Points
• Create a total life portfolio that reflects your individuality and makes you feel your best.
• Find what works for you in terms of personal passions and professional expertise.
• Recognize the importance of seeking help and surround yourself with professionals who can guide and support you.
• Goals without systems are empty; implement systems to achieve your goals.
• Personal and professional aspects of life are interconnected.
• Taking care of oneself is selfless and allows for better interaction with others.
Best Quotes
08:54 - 08:57
• "What do we want our cumulative GPA to look like in life?"
10:38 - 10:43
• "This is about figuring out what works best for you and then getting after it."
12:23 - 12:28
• "I think it's about confidence and I think it's about pride and I think it's about security" 13:55 - 14:01
• "There are no shortcuts and no excuses to, to get there. You actually have to put the work in"
14:28 - 14:35
• "Just the simple act of opening your brain to opportunity wherever you go"
17:07 - 17:11
• "Nike doesn't say, just try it. They say just do it" (transcript)
42:06 - 42:14
• "You get to choose very carefully who you follow, what you consume, and then make sure that out of what you're consuming, you're always producing more than you're consuming."
01:01:49 - 01:01:52
• "At the heart of this, there's no one way to be successful."
01:02:13 - 01:02:20
• "We have this opportunity right now to live longer and better and healthier and wealthier and stronger well beyond middle age."
For more about Greg visit: www.gregscheinman.com & www.midlifemale.com
For more about his top-rated podcast: Midlife Male
In this week's episode, I am joined by Alana Stott! Alana is a multi-faceted entrepreneur, author, and philanthropist who has founded and developed Wolfraven Omnimedia as a vehicle to help tell amazing and inspirational stories, including her own, while fiercely advocating for causes aimed at making the world a better place. Her storied international philanthropic work has included tireless efforts on behalf of dozens of charitable organizations. She has devoted thousands of hours of her time to numerous non-profits as an advisor and fundraiser, raising millions of dollars for causes such as mental health and the fight against human trafficking.
Stott has spent more than 25 years developing and overseeing the growth of a variety of businesses of varying sizes from an array of industries. With a uniquely diverse and accomplished resume, (Stott's achievements have ranged from dishwasher to traveling salesperson, debt collector, bodyguard, security specialist, hotel manager, bank manager, former Mrs. Scotland, CEO of an intelligence-based security firm, non-profit consultant, writer, and TV series producer), she is a firm believer that nothing is impossible or out of reach.
Stott has written the game-changing business and philanthropy book, "How to Ask for Money;" her powerful memoir, "She Who Dares;" and a series of empowering children's books – all to be published in 2023. She is also in the process of producing multiple television series and film projects, including a high-profile collaborative streaming series that turns "reality TV" on its head, a feature-length documentary about the triumph of the human spirit, and an international suspense thriller with a theme of female empowerment. She was awarded the title of Member of The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) on The Kings Honour List 2023 for her work supporting vulnerable women and mental health awareness.
Key Points
• Pushing past limits and achieving extraordinary goals
• Highlighting the need to educate both boys and girls about respect, consent, and self-protection.
• Self-awareness and situational awareness allow for identifying opportunities to help others and prevent problems.
• Finding the positive spin in any situation is a superpower that brings awareness and growth.
• Prioritizing self-care and nourishment is crucial for maintaining balance and well-being.
• Taking breaks, organizing priorities, and involving family in your endeavors help manage multiple roles effectively.
• "Who to Help Today" is about finding ways to make a positive impact in people's lives every day.
Best Quotes
11:12 - 11:15
• "There's so many ways that people deal with trauma in their lives."
25:40 - 25:44
• "There's no real way. I, I'm exactly like that bit. And I believe that as well."
26:13 - 26:18
• "If you are not embarrassed at who you were, then you're not growing enough."
37:27 - 37:31
• "Giving is one of the most selfish things you'll ever feel in your life."
38:13 - 38:18
• "The habit of daily impact is something as simple as smiling at someone or starting a small conversation."
39:42 - 39:49
• "When you're aware of other people around you, there are opportunities to help and make a positive difference."
45:24 - 45:28
• "Through every challenge there's an opportunity and if you can see it, it's another level of awareness."
In today's episode, I am joined by Justin Breen! Justin is the founder and CEO of the global PR firm "BrEpic" and the exclusive connectivity platform "BrEpic Network". His newest book, Epic Life, features a foreword from Dr. Peter Diamandis and has been the No. 1 overall book for sales on Amazon Kindle. It also recently made the Wall Street Journal and USA Today Bestseller lists.
Key Points
• Taking action and creating something is essential for success.
• Creating more living things and doing what you love and are good at contributing to an epic life.
• True entrepreneurs overcome obstacles like bankruptcy, depression, anxiety, and traumatic experiences.
• Many entrepreneurs sacrifice their personal life for success, but eventually realize they've been winning the wrong game.
• Visionaries can fall in love with an idea and trust it to run its course.
• The right mindset attracts the right network and creates the right opportunities.
• Remind yourself that you have the ability to accomplish anything you set your mind to.
Best Quotes
25:31 - 25:36
• "All this other stuff takes care of itself. If you, if you know these answers and you don't, you never give up."
30:20 - 30:24
• "Life is very difficult. Just talk to someone who married the wrong person early in life."
30:47 - 31:00
• "These are the cheat codes. These are the ways that if you're trying to figure out the path of least resistance and most abundance, you do these things."
34:25 - 34:30
• "We just need that one person who we trust more than anyone to support us."
42:58
• "If you don't like the room you're in, create your own room or find a smaller room to invest in."
In this week's episode of The High Performance LIFE, I am joined by Dean Stott. Dean's military career ended by a parachuting accident in 2011. He quickly transitioned to the private security sector, carving out a reputation for being willing to take on any job, no matter how dangerous. for clients including governments, presidents and royal families. As a result, he has successfully dealt with extortion, kidnapping, civil war, pirates and military coups. In 2014, he single-handedly evacuated the Canadian Embassy in Libya, rescuing four diplomats and 18 military personnel.
He has since become a record-breaking explorer and adventurer, while establishing a successful career as a motivational speaker!
In 2016 Dean began training for the biggest challenge of his life - to cycle the entire 14,000-mile length of the Pan-American Highway. Despite his long military career, he had never cycled more than a few miles.
In May 2018, he completed his journey, gaining two world records: the fastest person to cycle the length of South America and the fastest cycle journey of the Pan American Highway. With his final time of 99 days, 12 hours and 56 minutes, Dean smashed the former world record by 17 days and became the first person ever to make the journey in under 100 days. Key Points
• From crisis management to cycling the world: How our guest transitioned from a career in crisis management to pursuing an extraordinary cycling challenge.
• Finding balance: Learn how our guest turned to cycling as a way to regain a sense of balance and well-being in his life.
• Adapting a military approach to planning and handling unforeseen circumstances.
• Consistency and commitment are vital in staying on track and building confidence throughout the journey.
• Taking inspiration from personal stories and the impact of one's actions on others can serve as powerful motivators during tough times.
• Visualization as a key tool: Shifting focus from the challenges to the end goal.
Best Quotes
06:57 - 07:02
• "I like to prove people wrong, you know, and just do it through course of action."
18:36 - 18:38
• "I had the easy job cycling. She had to raise the million pounds."
23:39 - 23:44
• "There is no plan B, no contingency... You know, my wife used to say, the contingency is we go to Dean's funeral."
47:30 - 47:35
• "I think it'll be almost more fun to celebrate the legacy later."
For more about Dean visit: www.deanstott.com
For more about The High Performance LIFE visit: www.scottdanner.com
In today's episode I am joined by Tessa White, AKA The Job Doctor! Tessa White is a truth-telling, reformed Fortune 50 executive.
In 2020, The Job Doctor business was born, a practice dedicated to helping individuals navigate the workplace and companies to unlock the potential of their people.
Tessa's vantage point on careers is uniquely targeted to help people from all walks of life. She has hired and fired thousands of people and watched countless careers rise and fall.
She has grown companies and shrunk them, restructured, layed off, and redesigned companies from the ground up.
She serves on the Board of Trustees for Utah State University, the Utah Valley University's Women's Success Center and the Utah Tech Innovations Council, which mentors the best and brightest upcoming businesses.
Key Points
• Every leader should engage in conversations with their team members, acknowledging their experiences and providing support.
• Life challenges impact work: Recognizing that personal struggles affect employees' professional lives is crucial for leaders to provide support and help them succeed.
• Humanity in leadership: Shifting from top-down leadership to a more humane approach acknowledges that individuals go through difficult times and need empathy, especially during collective challenging periods.
• Conflict is inevitable: From negotiating job offers to daily work interactions, conflicts are a part of professional life. Developing communication strategies that build trust instead of breaking it is essential.
• Going through transitions and transformations in work provides valuable experience and expertise.
• Embracing hustle can lead to valuable contributions and personal growth.
• Tessa's book addresses the root cause of burnout: the feeling of a lack of control in life.
Best Quotes
21:46 - 21:55
• "If the employee constantly says they're just looking out for profit, they don't care about me, it's hard to serve you because you're not listening or giving the same level of empathy."
24:09 - N/A
• "Those kinds of conversations can be had; it just requires doing it carefully in the right way."
41:09 - 41:15
• "If you love someone, you don't think they're stupid. You think that they just think differently from you."
47:56 - 48:04
• "You can be a very valuable employee and create space for yourself to have balance, but don't rely on your company to do it for you."
48:38 - 48:44
• "Giving is the most selfish thing we can do. It feels so good when you give."
59:11 - 59:18
• "I take you through what you need to know about each chapter to become a person that has a voice in your career."
For more about Tessa visit: www.thejobdoctor.com For more about The High Performance LIFE visit: scottdanner.com
In today's episode, I am joined by Errol Doebler. Errol is a former Navy SEAL and FBI agent who is now a Wim Hof breathing instructor and leadership coach! Errol left the FBI after 13 years of service to begin his leadership consulting firm, Leader 193, in 2016. In 2023, he founded Ice Cold Leader.
Errol is one of the few people in the world who has had the distinction of serving as a Surface Warfare Officer, SEAL, FBI Special Agent, and FBI SWAT Operator.
While with the FBI he was deployed to Afghanistan in 2010, Errol participated in extensive combat operations and was subsequently presented with the FBI's second highest award for valor, the Shield of Bravery, for his actions on the battlefield.
Since founding Leader193, he has worked with executives and teams from Fortune 100 companies, professional sports organizations, small technical startups, and individual executives across a vast array of industries around the world sharing his methods for Leadership.
Key Points
• The process that identifies emotions, understanding intuitive actions, deciding on proper behavior, making a plan, and reflecting.
• The Wim Hof Method, including cold exposure and breathing techniques, has transformative effects on physical and mental health.
• Combining leadership skills with personal life management creates a holistic approach to self-improvement.
• Checking in with yourself requires discipline and process, but it is essential for personal growth.
• Being aware of our thoughts empowers us to cultivate a positive mindset and improve our mental health.
Best Quotes
• "Process is absolutely essential to everything because you can't really have any true creativity if it's not inside of a process."
05:35 - 05:40
• "If you were a bad leader in the SEAL teams, you heard about it and you knew about it."
06:00 - 06:12
• "It seemed like the best people shunned leadership positions because they were like, no, I won't put myself in a position to not have impact."
24:19 - 24:30
• "When my friend was mean to me, when I get out on the ice and somebody's better, this is what it feels like. And then we teach them how to read through it, the confidence they get and the life lesson they get."
27:13 - 27:26
• "I literally said to myself, how do I control myself in an ice breath? I breathe. I took two breaths, was calm..."
50:01 - 50:13
• "If you are truly that unselfish person who doesn't care about yourself, but cares about everybody else, that's fine. Right? And when you're out there, you can't take care of everybody else
For more about Errol visit: https://icecoldleader.com/ For more about The High Performance LIFE visit: scottdanner.com
In this week's episode I am joined by two guests, both Dr. Jim Loehr and Dr. Sheila Ohlsson Walker! Jim's ground-breaking, science-based energy management training system has achieved worldwide recognition. Co-founder of the Johnson & Johnson Human Performance Institute, which helped train and inspire more than 250,000 business, sports, medicine, and military leaders worldwide. Jim is also the author of 17 books including his most recent, Leading With Character, and the National Bestseller The Power of Full Engagement.
Dr. Sheila Ohlsson Walker is a behavioral geneticist whose work centers on how nurture (environment) shapes nature (DNA), and how we can create contexts in sport, school, and nature settings that unlock the potential of our youth. A former pro tennis player, Sheila knows first-hand the power of sport to embed life skills and mindsets that transfer into careers, relationships, and wellness habits that foster health and well-being across life. Key Points
• Our private voice, or Yoda, is the most important coach we have in our decision-making journey.
• Deliberate decision-making helps avoid mistakes and regrets.
• Emotions play a crucial role in parenting and communication.
• Teaching decision-making from an early age helps children understand the consequences of their choices.
• Being aware and acting rather than reacting creates opportunities for teachable moments.
• Embracing imperfections and viewing life as a learning journey promotes growth and resilience.
• Leadership is about judgment and making wise decisions.
Best Quotes
15:30 - 15:47
• "Your Yoda begins to take that in, those neurological inputs form this narrative inside your head that becomes the most important navigational voice you will probably ever have." - Jim
20:53 - 21:05
• "There's always something to be learned out of every situation, and when we can embed it as automatic habit... that is a superpower that is going to transport us and our children through life."
26:28 - 26:35
• "We want every decision to be some form of learning about your next decision."
30:40 - 30:47
• "Learning about ourselves is crucial. Then owning those mistakes I imagine is even more important."
32:03 - 32:07
• "Have you describe who you are when you are absolutely most proud of yourself."
01:05:11 - 01:05:19
• "The most sacred space we have as human beings is this space that allows us to change directions, make decisions and follow them."
For more about Dr. Jim Loehr visit: www.jim-loehr.com For more about Dr. Sheila Olhsson Walker visit: www.sheilaohlssonwalker.com Learn more about their book: Wise Decisions: A Science Based Approach to Making Better Choices (Nov 2022)In today's episode I am joined by Abby Davisson. Abby has dedicated her career to helping others achieve their goals!
With Stanford professor and labor economist Myra Strober, Abby wrote Money & Love: An Intelligent Roadmap for Life's Biggest Decisions, a research-backed guide to making the choices that matter most. The book contains data, stories, and a flexible framework to help people navigate high-stakes choices when money and love are involved (hint: that's all the big ones in life).
Most recently, she spent nine years at global retailer Gap Inc., where she served as president of the Gap Foundation and co-founded the company's employee resource group for parents. Her expertise in career development comes from serving as an alumni career advisor and coach at Stanford's Graduate School of Business. Her professional experience also includes strategy roles at Net Impact, Tipping Point Community, the NYC Department of Education, and The Bridgespan Group. Abby has a BA from Yale and an MBA and MA in Education from Stanford University.
She lives with her husband Ross and two sons in San Francisco, where she remains in relentless pursuit of the best-tasting dark chocolate.
Key Points
• Myra Strober's class on Work and Family inspired Abby to co-write the book after realizing its transformative impact on her own life.
• A framework with the 5 Cs (Clarify, Communicate, Consider, Choose, Commit) can guide decision-making.
• Early discussions about financial goals and values can prevent misunderstandings and assumptions.
• Effective communication is an ongoing process, not a one-time event.
• Clarifying your goals is crucial and sets the foundation for successful decision-making.
• Successfully navigating these transitions leads to greater intimacy and a stronger bond.
• Recognize the significance of making intentional choices in all aspects of life.
Best Quotes
04:17 - 04:30
• "If you go into that arrangement by having open and honest conversations about how you are going to combine your lives, your careers, your ambitions, your finances, the household chores, childcare... those negative outcomes go away."
12:52 - 13:00
• "Your financial success is something that so many people really believe that this is how they're judged."
15:44 - 15:50
• "The more you talk about it, the more prepared they are for these types of conversations."
23:02 - 23:09
• "When we're in the throes of a big decision, we tend to think in very binary terms. But there are so many options in between."
35:07 - 35:12
• "It's always funny to me when I'm consulting or advising or standing on a stage with where I'm coaching advisors and I'm like, Hey guys, gals, whatever it is, it is so different than what people think."
56:47 - 56:56
• "It's about not just sliding into the lives that we're having, but really deciding what do we want those lives to look like?" For more about Abby, visit: Abbydavisson.com To learn more about The High Performance LIFE, visit: Scottdanner.com
Summary
In today's episode, I am joined by Mark Drager! Mark, AKA "The Badass Brand Architect", is a 5th generation entrepreneur who helps other entrepreneurs with B2B businesses sell more, faster, and easier.
Mark launched his creative agency in 2006 at the age of 23 and then spent 15+ years building it into a multi-million-dollar business. After 2000+ projects, for 300+ clients, across 29 different industries Mark became burnt out… This led Mark to start his latest venture, SalesLoop, Mark now focuses less on "growth at all costs" and more on doing badass work with ambitious people. Mark's also the host of The Mark Drager Show, a podcast for entrepreneurs. Every week Mark has eyebrow raising conversations with total badasses, sharing untold stories, advice, and hard lessons learned from the most thought-provoking entrepreneurs and creatives.
Key Points:
• Setting boundaries is crucial in relationships and professional settings, to establish healthy dynamics.
• The stories we tell ourselves can often lead to unnecessary drama and conflict.
• In business and personal relationships, focusing on the facts and avoiding assumptions can lead to better understanding and communication.
• Pruning unnecessary information and amplifying what truly matters leads to greater impact.
• Creating opportunities for others can be a powerful way to add value to their lives.
• The value of expressing one's current beliefs while being open to learning and understanding different perspectives.
Best Quotes:
42:50 - 42:55
• "If you're not willing to put something on the line, why would anyone buy into you?"
58:38 - 58:44
• "There's no better way to have success in this world than to do so with the people you love the most."
01:08:36 - 01:08:43
• "It's okay that it's only right now and it's okay that I wanna learn why you might disagree and how you might change my opinion there."
01:08:58 - 01:09:05
• "I have had some of the best conversations of my life with this individual because we both respect each other."
01:10:44 - 01:10:49
• "I fell in love with their work and I just kind of wanted to talk about the book, the work."
01:13:15 - 01:13:19
• "It's part of our growth trajectory. It's part of our network, it's part of our makeup."
01:16:09 - 01:16:19
• "If it doesn't rise to the top, like, if I don't allow everyone else to curate for me what's quote unquote good or bad, yeah, it means I listen to like a lot of top 40."
Summary
In today's episode, I am joined by Craig Siegel. Craig is a born and raised New Yorker. When the pandemic happened, Craig left his lucrative and comfortable job on Wall Street and went all-in with his passion and purpose to help people upgrade their mindsets and fulfil their potential and founded Cultivate Lasting Symphony (CLS).
His mission is to help people release the negative beliefs they have cultivated over time and implement positive and constructive thoughts, which then create powerful and positive beliefs that change behaviors and ultimately create brand-new results in relationships, business, and all facets of life.
Craig has been endorsed by some of the world's most well-known celebrities, entertainers, athletes, and entrepreneurs, such as Rob Dyrdek, Ed Mylett, Frank Grillo, Andy Grammer, Marie Forleo, Dr. Shefali, Tom Bilyeu, Bethany Hamilton, Suzanne Somers, Alicia Silverstone, Eric Thomas, Darryl Strawberry, and NFL Hall of Famers Brian Dawkins, Edgerrin James and more.
Craig also just launched his book: The Reinvention Formula: How to Unlock a Bulletproof Mindset to Upgrade Your Life. The Reinvention Formula is a step-by-step walkthrough for anyone ready to put in the effort to completely reimagine how they relate to the world around them!
Key Points
• Let go of waiting for the right time and perfect situation
• Being able to view "negative situations" as an opportunity for reinvention.
• Building intentional and strategic relationships benefits both parties involved.
• Embrace the different seasons in life and lean into each one.
• Leaning on each other in marriage during challenging times can strengthen the relationship.
• Success is not just about making money, but about making an impact and adding value
Best Quotes
12:42 - 12:47
• "How rich you are is not based upon how many commas you have in your bank account."
14:14 - 14:17
• "Everybody seemed to rally around the message, and it really is special."
14:49 - 14:54
• "I really need to put my ego aside and realize I don't know what I don't know." 22:24 - 22:30
• "At some point you get to a season where you could begin to work a little bit smarter, not necessarily harder."
Today I am joined by Julie Chenell. Julie started her journey to entrepreneurship as a blogger and writer, garnering the attention of media outlets like The New York Times and
Washington Post with her no-holds-barred approach to social media.
After a rocky divorce and unexpected pregnancy in 2014 that left her needing to build a profitable business quickly, Julie transformed her passion and love for marketing into a multi-million-dollar business in less than 3 years.
Now she runs an exclusive mastermind group for qualified business owners looking to scale to $5m a year and beyond. She's also the co-founder of Funnel Gorgeous ®, a design and marketing education + software company. In this episode, Julie and I delve into the struggles and lessons of creating a high-performance life. Julie also highlights the changing landscape of education and the significance of redefining success and wealth in today's world.
Key Points
• Navigating the unconventional world of modern dating and relationships.
• The significance of regret as a sign of personal growth.
• Overcoming societal judgment to allow for personal development.
• Have a bigger purpose beyond yourself to find fulfillment and impact others positively.
• Embracing change, even if it means financial loss and pain, can lead to personal fulfillment and making right past mistakes.
• Building genuine relationships with friends who accept and support one's true self is invaluable.
Best Quotes
24:58 - 25:02
• "Not giving a damn what other people think is a really powerful thing."
26:16 - 26:21
• "It's a good reminder of the people we surround ourselves with and whether or not they're building us up or tearing us down."
30:44 - 30:58
• "Learning to give without expectation...was something I had to learn through the years...and hold onto the fact that I was giving, and that was actually the greatest feeling I would ever have."
37:15 - 37:24
• "We have a lot of women who are in that sort of stay at home mom role coming, you know, their kids go to school and starting to start businesses." -
49:37 - 49:43
• "If you just become committed to solving problems, the money is going to come."
Today I am joined by Andrew Daniel. Andrew is an award-winning author, spiritual teacher, and director at the Center for Cinesomatic Development.
He is the founder of Cinesomatics®—a feeling-based therapy utilizing video feedback and movement to assess and resolve stuck somatic, psychological, and emotional patterns. This work is held online and in-person internationally, from NY to London, Tuscany to Switzerland.
His latest book, Awaken to Your True Self (MetaHeal), is a recipient of the 2022 gold Nautilus Book Awards. This definitive guide helps self-aware entrepreneurs, artists, professionals, and leaders break through stuck cycles and genuinely wake up.
A spiritual advisor and healer to some of the world's most successful, Andrew works with clients one-on-one and in intimate groups. His graduate-level programs of consciousness studies offer memberships to deep transformational classes that bridge the teachings of the ancient mysteries with modern psychology and technology
Key Points
• Despite starting a successful software company, Andrew still faced financial hardship and ended up homeless.
• Levels of functionality in the body can affect overall performance.
• The desire for success and material wealth should be balanced with intimate relationships and self-love.
• The body's somatic representation of reality can reveal the true results we are manifesting in our lives.
• Starting the day slow leads to higher levels of presence and better decision-making.
• Embracing vulnerability is essential for creating profound change in life.
• The fear of vulnerability leads people to create masks and personas to protect themselves.
Best Quotes
14:55 - 15:04
• "I would've been the coolest fucking kid in school, but I was not, I was at the loser table that had three people that were like picking their nose and smelling."
20:51 - 20:57
• "A young child that turns into a bully at a very young age is probably bullied by their parents."
40:34 - 40:40
• "You're expressing the house of cards that someone builds in their own life with all the stories stacked upon each other."
54:42 - 55:01
• "We talk about these different areas of, of, of our life. How you do one thing's, how you do everything. And so it's really, if you actually take that to heart and take a really hard look, you'll see that that things transfer over in certain ways."
01:02:31 - 01:02:40
• "My work is not about making people feel good. It's not about feeling good, it's about feeling what is the truth of what you're feeling."
01:05:52 - 01:05:57
• "If I started my day slow, I had a higher level of presence throughout the day."
In this episode, I am joined by guest Nick Lavery, a US Army Special Forces member who lost his leg in an insider attack in Afghanistan. Despite his injuries, Nick's story is a powerful reminder of the ability to face challenges and emerge stronger.
This episode discusses the mindset and driving factors behind resilience and determination, highlighting the importance of faith, passion, and a sense of purpose. It also explores the impact of gratitude, shifting perspective, and the profound influence of being a father on personal growth and leadership.
Key Points
• The insider attack in 2013 resulted in Nick losing his leg
• Despite the odds, Nick refused to give up and fought to return to operational status after extensive surgery and rehabilitation.
• Nick emphasizes that the principles and mindset he developed in the military are applicable to anyone facing challenges in life.
• Purpose is about impacting others and creating a meaningful difference in their lives.
• Being self-aware and willing to admit failures is crucial to personal growth and development.
• Setting an example: Children often follow their parents' behaviors and actions, reflecting the importance of being a positive role model.
• Importance of family: The ultimate purpose in life is to serve our family and provide something bigger than ourselves.
· Every day is a gift, treat it as such
Best Quotes
12:03 - 12:12
• "I was able to maintain that faith and it safeguarded me from those external doubts that were coming in."
14:11 - 14:20
• "Passion, love, joy, happiness. These are different emotions. I love what I do, even in the times that suck."
18:21 - 18:26
• "Purpose, meaning what kind of impact are you creating on others? That's how I interpret purpose."
20:52 - 20:56
• "You've been given an opportunity. This is an opportunity that you can choose to leverage."
40:46 - 40:49
• "Flipping that perspective is such a powerful word and gratitude is the root of it."
For more about Nick visit: Machinenick.com
For more about The High Performance LIFE visit: Scottdanner.com
My guest today, Tim Pychyl, is a retired psychology professor whose research focused on understanding why we can become our own worst enemy through procrastination.
Tim is the winner of numerous teaching awards, has written two books and many scientific papers about how and why we procrastinate, including "Solving the Procrastination Puzzle: A Concise Guide to Strategies for Change".
Dr. Pychyl's research in psychology is focused on the breakdown in volitional action commonly known as procrastination and its relation to personal well-being.
Now that Tim has retired from university life, his website and research is focused on helping people solve the procrastination puzzle.
Key Points:
• Keystone habits have significant downstream effects and can lead to positive changes.
• Implementation intentions are crucial for effectively achieving goals.
• Focusing on the next action simplifies the process and helps to get started.
• Self-compassion and self-forgiveness are essential for high performers to avoid burnout and achieve personal growth.
• Procrastination is a constant temptation that doesn't go away, but it can be successfully managed.
• Prioritizing the most important people and tasks in life helps to reduce procrastination.
Best Quotes:
05:07 - 05:10
• "It's my tool to ensure that I live the life I wanna live."
11:51 - 11:55
• "They have a yes problem. They say yes to too many things."
12:00 - 12:07
• "So many times you find yourself overwhelmed and you actually feel like you're procrastinating on something that you just don't have time to do right now."
18:28 - 18:33
• "If you can make a little bit of progress, like prime the pump, that's gonna fuel your wellbeing."
57:59 - 58:07
• "If you just take a couple of the things that we've talked about today and bring them into your life, it can make all the difference if you want it to."
58:51 - 59:00
• "Yeah. And thanks for putting up with the construction work outside. The dog is barking. It's just been a, a zoo in the circus, but it's been great to be together with you."
59:33 - 59:38
• "Remember that you could do whatever you put your mind to and that you are the energy that you put out into the world."
To learn more about The High Performance LIFE, visit: Scottdanner.com
To learn more about Tim Pychyl, visit: procrastination.ca
Today I am joined by Frank Zane, a three-time Mr. Olympia winner. Discover how his approach to bodybuilding, balance of discipline and flexibility, and attention to detail led to his success. Gain insights into nutrition, recovery, and motivation for your own high-performance journey. Frank Zane also shares his training routine, focus on muscle development, and how he remains fit at 80 years old. Plus, learn about the renowned Zane Experience program and how you can benefit from his expertise in bodybuilding.
Key Points:
• Frank Zane's best moment in his competition years was winning Mr. Olympia for the third time in 1979.
· Frank beating Arnold Schwarzenegger in Mr Olympia.
• Zane's interest in physical activities, challenges, and completing goals sparked his passion for bodybuilding.
• Frank Zane's "Zane Experience" program offers personalized guidance and coaching to help individuals achieve their bodybuilding goals.
• Having a backup career alongside bodybuilding is important to ensure financial stability and longevity in the sport.
• Continuity in training is more important than constantly pushing to failure.
• Persistence and the ability to adapt are key to long-term success in fitness.
Best Quotes:
01:54 - 02:03
• "It was probably winning Mr. Olympia for the third time in 1979. I was in the best shape of my life and it was a great experience."
02:11 - 02:20
• I just continued doing what worked for me in the past, you know, training on what's called a three-way split routine."
02:51 - 02:57
• "Well, that's the way I always thought about it was if it works, you know, don't change it. Keep, keep doing what works."
06:28 - 06:34
• "I observed what I, I felt wasn't responding to what I was doing as much. And then I just worked it harder."
26:12 - 26:20
• "You know, don't rely on a trainer unless you wanna do that. And maybe you are a trainer, but develop the responsibility to make your own gains."
Today I am joined by Larry Hagner, the founder and CEO of the Dad's Edge. Larry shares valuable insights on personal development and the importance of investing in oneself for growth. He emphasizes the impact of being a better father and breaking free from societal expectations. The episode also explores the significance of being proactive in relationships, understanding love languages, and having a shared vision as a couple. Additionally, Larry highlights practical ways to improve connections with children and stresses the importance of being present and self-aware as a parent. Ultimately, the episode reminds us of the power of continuous self-improvement in shaping our own lives and future generations.
Key Points
• Investing in yourself for growth has long-lasting benefits for future generations.
• Society places unrealistic expectations on men as fathers and husbands, leaving them ill-prepared.
• Taking action and seeking personal development opportunities is crucial for growth.
• Waiting until the last minute can result in frantic and desperate attempts to salvage a situation.
• Proactivity allows for a calm and strategic approach to life.
• Understand your spouse's love language and learn to love them in the way they receive love.
• Giving up certain habits or behaviors, like alcohol, can lead to self-discovery and improved relationships with children.
Best Quotes
16:38 - 16:44
• "It is crazy how we don't do that when it comes to parenting or relationships."
23:13 - 23:22
• "We have to learn how to specifically and strategically love that other person, not just in the way we need to feel loved."
28:07 - 28:12
• "One of the top five fights that married couples have is parenting."
40:04 - 40:13
• "You can always find the diamond in the coal no matter how bad the day was, what was something that was good that happened because you can train the brain to go into gratitude."
48:57 - 49:00
• "Anybody can be a father, but it takes a special man to be a dad."
59:42 - N/A
• "Today is a new day and it can start now. So you knowing it isn't enough, it's time to do it. Make movement, action apply."
Summary
In this episode, I am joined by Andrew Thorpe King, author of "Failure Rules". about the importance of embracing failure and how it can lead to growth and success. Andrew shares his personal journey of embracing failure and finding enthusiasm in the face of setbacks. He also discusses the concept of high performance living and the role of energy and positivity in achieving success.
Andrew is an executive fintech banker, spy novelist, speaker, punk rocker, podcaster, ex-bodybuilder, cigar lover, and serial entrepreneur. He founded two independent record labels—Thorp Records and Sailor's Grave Records—and has invested in many spaces, including online lending, fitness, lead generation, and independent music.
Andrew is also a serial failure. He has crashed and burned through bankruptcy, divorce, mortgage default, public assistance, and multiple business failures. But, like a jack-in-the-box after a punch, he pops back up every time, rebuilding his life—informed by failure—with a big smile on his face.
Key Points
• Enthusiasm is the key to staying motivated and overcoming failure.
• Embracing failure can lead to exciting new pursuits and opportunities.
• Exploring faith and finding something bigger than ourselves is essential to understanding imperfection. • Success often comes from breaking away from negative peer circles and surrounding oneself with like-minded individuals.
• Always have a future-oriented mindset in your career and life.
Best Quotes
11:47 - 11:58
• "I feel like embracing imperfection is this relief and release of stress that people seem to hold onto."
13:03 - 13:16
• "It all lies in imperfection. Imperfection in ourselves, imperfection in what's supposed to be the right way to do things, and imperfection in your own faith, in your own journey."
19:20 - 19:24
• "Sometimes you have to take yourself less seriously to seriously put yourself back together again."
34:21 - 34:32
• "There's all these songs that literally were the authentic songs that either helped me traverse through hard times and failures, or were songs that I was listening to, or I wrote the book. Like they have deep personal meaning to me."
35:31 - 35:39
• "There's an energy in that music that if you integrate it and channel it, it becomes just a force multiplier of your efforts in the world."
36:41 - 36:53
• "When I listen to music, it's a moment of meditation for me cuz I don't hear anything else. I don't think of anything else. I, I being focused on the words and the rhythm of the song, I'm understanding that I'm in that present moment."
45:28 - 45:33
• "I need to find that one person in school that got straight A's that did everything right, that keeps the rails on."
To learn more about living The High Performance LIFE, visit: Scottdanner.com
To learn more about Andrew Thorp King, visit: Andrewthorpking.com
Today I am joined by, YouTube expert Evan Carmichael. Evan Carmichael runs a YouTube channel for entrepreneurs with almost 4 million subscribers and just under 600 million views, has written 4 books, and speaks globally. Evan Carmichael #Believes in entrepreneurs. Gary Vaynerchuck called him the DJ who inspires people and Ed Mylett called him the modern-day Napoleon Hill. Evan wants to solve the world's biggest problem, people don't #Believe in themselves enough.
In this episode, Evan shares his journey to success and offers insights on various aspects of personal growth. From discussing the importance of momentum and authenticity in achieving success to overcoming fears and building resilience, Evan's experiences and practical advice provide a fresh perspective on achieving one's goals. Additionally, he explores the significance of communication in relationships, the power of taking action, and the struggle with maintaining discipline. Through his vulnerability and dedication, Evan inspires others to embrace their vulnerabilities and strive for personal growth.
Key Moments:
• Momentum is often the missing element for entrepreneurs with great ideas and a desire to serve.
• Your purpose comes from your pain, and helping others through similar struggles can have a profound impact on their lives.
• Elite performers continue to seek growth and learning, even as they become leaders in their field.
• Overthinking and over-planning can lead to paralysis by analysis.
• Removing temptation from the environment is a great step for improvement, but it is equally important to develop self-discipline in different situations.
• Building strength and resilience involves confronting and overcoming personal weaknesses and vices (represented by the bag of Doritos).
Best Quotes
36:38 - 36:46
• "The only thing I had going for me was I just kept going... I always focus on who I was serving instead of who I wasn't."
37:20 - 37:27
• "You spend all that time and only 50 people watch that video. Yeah. But if you were gonna go speak at a rotary club and 50 people showed up, you'd be excited."
53:51 - 53:54
• "Your great life is on the other side of scary, difficult, or hard."
01:05:29 - 01:05:38
• "The things that you're afraid of that you don't think you can do, going through that takes you to a really magical place and changes you as a human."
01:11:09 - 01:11:19
• "Damn the Doritos"
For more information, visit: Scottdanner.com
To learn more about Evan, visit: Evancarmichael.com
Today I am joined by Dr. Taryn Marie Stejskal, an expert on resilience. Taryn discusses her upcoming book on the five practices of highly resilient people. She emphasizes the importance of vulnerability and failure as lessons for growth. The relationship between pain and movement in building resilience is also discussed along with the importance of authenticity and debunking misconceptions.
Key Points: • There are five practices highly resilient people do to create positive and productive outcomes. • Failure is an inevitable part of the journey towards a high-impact life. • Failure in relationships and personal growth should be embraced as opportunities for learning and growth. • Engaging in the five practices of highly resilient people can lead to momentum and a movement towards embracing resilience. • The practice of productive perseverance involves pursuing goals intelligently while knowing when to pivot or quit. Best Quotes: 06:36 - 06:57 • "What if there are behaviors that we can engage in that are within the span of our control, that when we implement these behaviors, any time, challenge, change and complexity or the three Cs show up in our lives, that we too, like the transportation could create a better outcome for ourselves?" 27:15 - 27:24 • "When you can actually go back into those things, use them for strength, it's really a growth moment. It's not a failure moment at all." 29:43 - 29:47 • "There's a higher standard, there's a difference, and it's a new endeavor." 38:01 - 38:20 • "In that moment we get to make a decision about how we want to respond to what's happening. And when we start making more decisions and behaving in ways that are going to create a better outcome, this creates momentum from that moment." 54:00 - 54:15 • "The extent that we can bring those together into one operating system or as close as possible, that can serve energy, especially when we're facing challenge and vulnerability, is the cornerstone of authenticity and empathy." 59:02 - 59:15 • "Nobody's like, great, I have a flat tire. It's wonderful, right? But so it takes some time. And then generosity, being able to draw on our vulnerability in order to generously share our resilient stories with others."For more information visit: Scottdanner.com
For more about Dr. Taryn Marie visit: www.resiliance-leadership.comToday I am joined by Martinus Evans. Martinus is the founder of Slow AF Run Club, and shares his journey from childhood trauma to becoming an inspiration for runners around the world. He emphasizes the importance of struggling and building momentum to achieve success and discusses his new book "Slow AF Run Club". Key Points Martinus emphasizes the importance of struggling and learning from difficult experiences on the path to success. • Evans' job at Men's Wearhouse ultimately led him to start running • Evans emphasizes the importance of building a community of support and finding inspiration in others to achieve goals. • The author's book serves as a blueprint and offers motivation to everyone. • Learn what the four pillars of the Slow AF Run Club are • Determination and dedication are also key in achieving success, as you must be committed and dedicated to making your goals happen and bringing your dreams to fruition. Best Quotes 15:27 - 15:32 • "My mom was like, you set the example, you are a leader and if you go, other people will go." 39:26 - 39:31 • "If I ever get the chance to run again, I will do it with joy." 50:49 - 50:53 • "Your message is don't worry about getting there today. Worry about starting today." 58:59 - 59:04 • "It becomes a part of my life. And now when I don't do it, I feel like, oh man, I don't even." 01:03:19 - 01:03:27 • "You have to be courageous to even think about doing hard things. You gotta be courageous to even take that first step." 01:07:02 - 01:07:08 • "Remember that you could do whatever you put your mind to and that you are the energy that you put out into the world."
My guest today, Damon West, was once a Division 1 starting quarterback, where he faced a devastating career-ending injury that led him down a destructive path of hard-core drug addiction and crime, ultimately resulting in a staggering 65-year prison sentence. However, during his time behind bars, Damon experienced a profound spiritual awakening that changed the trajectory of his life forever.
Like a coffee bean undergoing a transformative process through heat and pressure, Damon discovered his ability to change the environment around him. Through a program of recovery and a renewed faith, he emerged from over seven years of incarceration as a completely transformed man. Damon's story of redemption, grit, and determination continues to captivate and inspire audiences around the globe.
Key Points:Best Quotes:
09:11 - 09:16 • "God sets people on fire and every one of us gets to be this person." 27:07 - 27:14 • "But here's the key. You have to be receptive to all of God's messengers to receive all of God's messages." 31:35 - 31:45 • "It doesn't matter what environment I go into, no matter what adversity, no matter what prison I have to go into in life, I won't just survive. I could thrive if I kept the power inside me." 39:49 - 39:54 • "Your expectations may not be realistic. This is part of the problem, my resentment that I had against Judge Snipes." 45:56 - 46:08 • "Patience, you had patience, you actually executed patience. Something that you probably, if you're anything like me, have struggled with your entire life. But when we're patient, our best things come about." 47:30 - 47:34 • "The story's worth diving into because there's little nuggets of great opportunity throughout." 48:43 - 48:47 • "You could do whatever you put your mind to and that you are the energy that you put out into the world." To learn more visit: Scottdanner.com For more about Damon visit: www.damonwest.orgToday, I am joined by Coach Tony Blauer. Tony is an expert in fear management as well as in self-defense. Tony's organization, Blauer Training Systems, has grown into one of the world's leading consulting companies specializing in the research and development of performance psychology, personal safety, and close-quarter tactics & scenario-based training for law enforcement, military, and professional self-defense instructors. His research on the neuroscience of fear and the startle-flinch led to the development of the SPEAR System® a modern personal defense system based on physiology, physics, and psychology. After decades of interviewing victims of violent encounters and studying violence, he created the KNOW FEAR® program which focuses on managing fear through self-awareness, resiliency, and a 'movement' mindset. Key Points • Mindset on "game day" changes everything in terms of performance • Your mindset can make or break you • Don't run away from fear, understand it and control it. • Doubt creates hesitancy, which leads to procrastination. • Fear has been weaponized in recent years, and it's critical to teach self-awareness, critical thinking, and situational awareness. • Managing fear is the key to success, and high performers have figured out how to do it. • Reading Tony's ebook, Making Friends with Fear, can be life-changing and puts readers on a path toward managing their fear. Best Quotes 12:15 - 12:22 • "If I can change my relationship with fear, I can change my mind. If I can change my mind, I can change my trajectory." 13:32 - 13:39 • "If you don't understand how to help your athlete or your client manage fear, you're not a coach." 29:49 - 30:01 • "How do I recognize fear early, make the psychological shifts in it, use it organically to fuel my performance or what I need to do and then get on with my life?" 49:38 - 49:49 • "Imagine if the person who waited five years to start their company and then they go, 'yeah, I'm making less money, but I work for myself and this is my purpose and this is my passion. And, and they're going like, I've never been happier.'" 51:48 - 51:52 • "The only way you can lean into it is if you've got the self-awareness." 53:14 - 53:20 • "Fear actually has a metaphoric weight on our psyche and therefore our posture, emotional and literal." For more about Tony visit: www.blauertrainingsystems.com
Today's guest, Damien Ryder, is an extreme sports athlete and breathwork expert. Damien shares his journey of overcoming a traumatic childhood and inspiring others to push their limits. Through his experiences, he emphasizes the importance of living with purpose, setting clear goals, and embracing imperfections. Damien also highlights the role of breathwork in building inner peace and achieving high-performance living. Key Points • He overcame a violent childhood that gave him a survival mindset and led him to become an athlete, skateboarder, and entrepreneur at a young age. • Damien's solo and unsupported paddleboard adventure for 500 miles in the ocean for 17 days, where he encountered sharks and nearly broke his neck, solidified his belief that nothing is impossible if you experience it yourself. • Testing and pushing oneself through stress and trauma can lead to efficient problem-solving and sharing knowledge with others. • Giving every bit of yourself to each day, with a clear goal in mind, creates substantial and impactful change • Recovery is integrated into the training routine, with focus on strengthening the body to avoid mental fatigue. • Building trust within oneself is the ultimate key to success • Diverting to different job tasks that lead towards a clear goal is necessary Best Quotes 00:12 - 00:19 • "So, you know, it's just, again, just shows people, you know, not to limit yourself at all with things like that." 09:26 - 09:31 • "But you gotta live with it for the rest of your life. And so I started to really dissect that out and have a look at it." 21:20 - 21:24 • "I was willing to die for something I believe in. I was now living for what I believed in." 30:30 - 30:38 • "Be motivated, but you gotta have the determination and dedication as well. That reason why you're going towards something." 43:41 - 43:43 • "Everyone's on their own journey for a short time or long time."
Today I am joined be Jason Harris. Jason Harris is the Co-Founder and CEO of Mekanism, and is the author of the Bestseller "The Soulful Art of Persuasion: The 11 Habits That Will Make Anyone A Master Influencer.
Jason is also the host of the podcast Soul + Science. For more information about Jason, visit here: https://linktr.ee/jasonharris
Key Points: • Harris's love of music and his first concert experience with KISS sparked his interest in advertising and branding • Being original means embracing your uniqueness and values to connect with others through storytelling and emotion. • Giving without expectation builds meaningful and enduring relationships that widen your network and generate long-term success. • Empathy and understanding enable you to connect with others and build meaningful relationships that benefit both parties. • Long-term thinking and developing relationships are crucial for success in business • Skill hunting helps in building proficiency and high performance • Scott and Jason remind listeners of the importance of mindfulness and being mindful of one's energy. Best Quotes: 00:21 - 00:28 • "If you are proficient at your craft and you are good in at what you do that is going to build trust and, and make you successful." 06:10 - 06:17 • "The power of marketing and the power of the KISS brand is so strong. That's what catapulted them into, you know, the stratosphere." 16:09 - 16:18 • "When you really know what you are, what makes you unique, and you lean into that, that's gonna make you connect with an audience and become a big success." 20:13 - 20:19 • "There's gotta be a better way to do this. It's not a zero-sum game. If someone else is successful, it doesn't mean I'm not gonna be successful." 25:14 - 25:18 • "I wanna go in with the long game in mind, even if I sacrifice the short game." 49:38 • "Like, just because you know, it doesn't mean that you do it every day. Nah. It's constant practice."_ Jason Harris is the Co-Founder and CEO of Mekanism, and is the author of the Bestseller "The Soulful Art of Persuasion: The 11 Habits That Will Make Anyone A Master Influencer.
Jason is also the host of the podcast Soul + Science. For more information visit here: https://linktr.ee/jasonharris
In today's episode, I am joined by Rich Diviney. Rich draws upon 20+ years of experience as a Navy SEAL Officer. He completed more than 13 overseas deployments – 11 of which were to Iraq and Afghanistan. He achieved multiple leadership positions – including the Commanding Officer of a Navy SEAL Command. Rich was intimately involved in the world-renowned SEAL selection process, to find the most elite optimal performers. Rich was often surprised by which recruits washed out and which succeeded. Through years of observation, Rich learned to identify a successful recruit's core Attributes, the innate traits for how a person performs as an individual and as part of a team. Rich now helps define the key Attributes for success for business leaders and everyday people -- including cunning, adaptability, even narcissism-- in fresh and surprising ways. Key Points: • Different fields require different attributes to excel • Dormant attributes can be uncovered through experiences • To achieve long-term goals, both discipline and self-discipline are necessary • Competitive mindset looks for rules and conditions to win, while non-competitive mindset seeks new opportunities and ignores rules. • Discipline and adaptability are important in education for promoting discomfort tolerance and preparing for real-world challenges. • Open-mindedness and curiosity are essential attributes to cultivate for success. • Having a growth mindset is crucial for living a high performance life. Best Quotes: 12:17 - 12:22 • "Teaching him to swim was the easy part. Teaching him the skills was the easy part." 12:22 - 12:25 • "If you have the right attributes, you can always teach the skills." 16:53 - 17:06 • "I knew that it was the way to success, but applying it and then getting comfortable with it was something that I really felt was driven towards some of the old things that I just was very, very okay with." 31:28 - 31:35 • "The level of uncertainty, the level of discomfort, the level of challenge. I don't think it's not there, I think it's just changed." 35:07 - 35:14 • "The toughest part of parenthood, and this is where you can kinda see the helicopter parents versus the ones who are not, is letting kids take the fall." 41:06 - 41:09 • "When you're in tune with that rhythm of the vehicle, you can't be in tune with anything else." 53:19 - 53:24 • "And, and what I know about researching you is you're helping other companies to do that as well."
My guest today, Nick Koumalatsos, discusses various aspects of personal growth and leadership. From intentional communication to maturation and taking ownership, these conversations provide insights into how to become a better partner, parent, and leader. The importance of self-care, discipline, and accountability are also emphasized, as well as the challenges of transitioning from a career that defines one's identity. Key Points: • Transitioning out of a career that defines one's identity can result in an identity crisis. • Being present in the moment can lead to improved focus and productivity • Prioritizing family and service can bring rewards and fulfillment in life. • Setting aside the ego and serving others leads to big wins. • Happiness is not just about relaxation, but also about accomplishing difficult and challenging tasks • Failure is an essential part of success, and one must lean into it to move forward • Businesses can have the power of serving the community by providing jobs and products or services. Best Quotes: 02:32 - 02:44 • "We've actually made it so that we're normalizing unhealthy behaviors and trying to make people feel better about themselves instead of actually identifying what makes them healthy, happy, wealthy, successful." 26:52 - 26:58 • "If you're not where you want to be financially, if you're not where you want to be health-wise...you have to find ways to be self-aware." 44:39 - 44:44 • "Hey, what do you guys need? How can I serve you?" 58:03 - 58:06 • "I know that I'm not being the husband, I'm not being the father." 01:10:52 - 01:11:04 • "If men were men, two, if, if we had this two and a half years ago as a whole, if men as a community were like this, like what we're talking about doing, the things that we do, talk about the things that we do have." 01:14:44 - 01:14:50 • "If you don't fix the man, then you can't do anything else. So, so we fixed the man first and then we scale everything else." 01:16:35 - 01:16:41 • "Remember that you could do whatever you put your mind to and that you are the energy that you put out into the world."
In this episode, we will be joined by Charlie Engle, a renowned endurance athlete, author, and addiction recovery advocate. Charlie will share with us how his love for running helped him overcome addiction and gave him a new lease on life.
Key Points: • Charlie chose to commit to running and attending AA meetings as a way to save his life, and he did both every day for three straight years. • Running saved Charlie's life and gave him purpose, leading to him running across deserts and jungles and becoming the Senior Producer of the hit TV show Extreme Makeover Home Edition. • Coaches can use wearable data to gently guide addicts towards better physical health • Wearables offer a nonjudgmental accountability tool that combats isolation and loneliness • Reinforce the lesson of giving away your gifts and skills. • Charlie emphasizes the importance of sharing struggles and successes with the world • He believes in attraction rather than promotion when it comes to mentoring and learning from others Best Quotes: 09:14 - 09:25 • "I committed my, I didn't say I was gonna do it for three years. I just committed to one day at a time doing these two things and seeing how that would change my life." 16:36 - 16:45 • "When you put yourself in the right setting, your ideas can even be crazy, but if you have the right people around you, they can help you execute 'em." 25:05 - 25:11 • "The older we get, the harder some of the things that you used to do with ease become totally just." 31:17 - 31:25 • "It's an accountability tool. I don't care if they do the meditation or not, but I, I have told them that I see them." 34:49 - 34:56 • "I know that if I had one or two glasses of wine, what it does to my recovery the next day." 42:47 - 42:53 • "We are the only country on the planet that incarcerates and I mean incarcerates for a long time." 51:32 • "While I was locked up, I had this other idea, another bad idea, basically, that I wanted to take the metaphor...That I would become the first person to ever go from the lowest place on the planet,Today, I am joined by Sterling Hawkins. Sterling is an author, investor and entrepreneur. He is also a keynote speaker and founder of the #NoMatterWhat movement. He shows people how to achieve the results they want regardless of the circumstances. He developed the system working on a multi-billion dollar startup from collapse and back to launch, investing and growing over 50 companies. He has taken that experience to work with C-level teams and speak on stages around the world. He has even been seen in fancy magazines like Inc. Magazine, Fast Company, The New York Times and Forbes. Key Points • Make commitments to yourself • Build the right habits • Inspiration is a missing link • Acknowledging death is the first step • Committing to a goal with no going back • Letting go of discomfort can bring peace and happiness • Experiencing eulogy moments can help us remember what matters most Best Quotes 08:05 • "When you're hunting discomfort, you are forever and ultimately free of it. Not circumstantially free, not when you have enough money in your bank account, or you're married to the right person, or you have the right team, but you are free, period." 15:37 - 15:48 • "Whenever you feel those feelings of discomfort, embarrassment, fear, anger, grief when you feel those feelings, it's like a neon sign for me now." 21:09 - 21:25 • "The people that make a real impact, they live in another world that all of us know, but only the, the brave few step into, and they live in a world that's a courageous enough to stare into the unknown of tomorrow." 44:36 - 44:42 • "It's not what matters at the end of our life. And I can say that as somebody that's considered getting there a little bit early." 45:53 - 46:13 • "Not once did I talk about their jobs every day or, or the finite things I talked about how much joy they brought to people, what their, what their life was all about. Who they loved, who loved them back. Yeah. They're the generations that they created." 01:03:54 - 01:04:00 • "No matter how much resentment, anger, sorrow I had about those things did not change my circumstances." 01:12:14 - 01:12:20 • "I go whenever I'm feeling a little bit down to what we were talking about earlier, I go there to see like what people are up to."
My guest today, Dave Sanderson, is an inspirational survivor, author of Moments Matter, and nationally sought-out leadership speaker. When US Airways Flight 1549, or 'The Miracle on the Hudson,' ditched into the Hudson River on January 15, 2009, Dave Sanderson knew he was exactly where he was supposed to be.As the last passenger off the back of the plane on that fateful day, he took responsibility for the well-being and safety of others. He risked his own life in the frigid water to help other passengers off the plane but despite the hazards to himself, Dave thought only of helping others. He emerged from the wreckage that day with a mission to encourage others to do the right thing. This profound experience changed his life and today he travels the globe sharing his inspirational and motivational leadership messages to help people make a difference in how they do business and in how they live their lives. Named one of Inc.com's Top 100 Leadership speakers, Dave travels the world to share his inspirational leadership lessons, raising over $14.8M USD for the American Red Cross over the last ten years through his talks. Key Points • Dave's plane experienced the Miracle on the Hudson • Words are powerful • Focus on giving, not taking • Everyone has bad days • Communication must be tailored to the individual • Adaptation is necessary in relationships • Experiences are more valuable than money Best Quotes 00:15 - 00:20 • "I never had the word can. It's like I've always been able to pull things off because I've got a mindset is I can do it." 13:12 - 13:25 • "My dad's, my dad's number one thing was your word is your bond. Yep. Whatever you say, you better back it up. And I think those, those couple lessons really, they stuck with me in all these years and played out that day." 21:59 - 22:06 • "It's so powerful to hear you say that. And you, you've turned this mission into something much bigger." 29:14 - 29:17 • "Being less judgmental, how could that change the direction of my life?" 51:42 - 52:04 • "It's all about that. I think, you know, yeah, I've given one in my life and it was painful, a painful experience, right? But yeah, I never, you never talked about how successful they were. It's like, you know what, it's like, you know, I know this, I know this, I know he loved this. I know he loved that, right? And it's like you talk about the virtues and the values and the beliefs of somebody instead of, you know, hey, this guy's worth a billion dollars." 54:03 - 54:13 • "Without big thinkers and visionaries like that, you know, that focus on kindness and helping people, I think the, the world's a really sad place without that stuff." 59:55 - 01:00:04 • "I hope everybody looks you up. I hope everybody finds you and gets a little piece of you in their life so that that one moment might change there."
My guest today, Alan Stein Jr., shares his story of transitioning from a dedicated basketball player to a performance coach and how meeting iconic coach K and star player Kobe Bryant changed his life. Alan Stein, Jr. is an experienced keynote speaker and author. At his core, he's a performance coach with a passion for helping others change behaviors. He spent 15+ years working with the highest-performing basketball players on the planet (including NBA superstars Kevin Durant, Steph Curry, and Kobe Bryant). Through his customized programs, he transfers his unique expertise to maximize both individual and organizational performance. Alan is a dynamic storyteller who delivers practical, actionable lessons that can be implemented immediately. He teaches proven principles on how to utilize the same approaches in business that elite athletes use to perform at a world-class level. His previous clients include American Express, Pepsi, Sabra, Starbucks, Charles Schwab, and Penn State Football, and many more. The strategies from Alan's book, Raise Your Game: High Performance Secrets from the Best of the Best, are implemented by both corporate and sports teams around world. Key Points • Alan met iconic Coach K and Kobe Bryant • Alan now applies those lessons to business and life • Coach K's handwritten note made a huge impact on Alan's life • Don't check your phone for an hour after waking up • High performance applies to every area of life • Model the behavior you want to see in others • You can do anything you put your mind to Best Quotes 30:58 - 31:02 • "I don't ever worry about perfection. I lean much more towards progress." 53:57 - 54:04 • "The mere, you know, being proactive enough to merely ask that question will make sure that you get stuck in their mind." 54:23 - 54:34 • "This is not about trickery or manipulation. This is about being proactive and going above and beyond to do all of the little things that will position you to get what it is that you want." 56:01 - 56:09 • "It's good for us to provide them some barriers. So, so I love that. And I feel like nowadays we have to caveat it with anything that they wanna do is fine and anything." 01:01:27 - 01:01:42 • "My kids know there are appropriate ways to, to show your feelings. And that there is nothing wrong with being angry or upset, but you can't use that to be disrespectful or diminish or, or, or do anything that could be, you know, lashing out or harmful to someone else." 01:07:50 - 01:07:58 • "If you enjoyed this, please share it with your friends, leave us a review and let me know what you learned over at our social media channels at Scott Danner." 01:08:06 - 01:08:17 • "Remember that you could do whatever you put your mind to and that you are the energy that you put out into the world and now it's time to go out there and start living your high performance life."
Steve Sims joins the High-Performance Life podcast to share his journey of 25 years of being the most connected person in the world and his new book Go for Stupid. Steve is the visionary founder of the world's first luxury concierge, Bluefish that delivers personalized travel, transportation and cutting-edge entertainment to corporate executives, celebrities, athletes, and other discerning individuals interested in living life to its fullest. He emphasizes the importance of changing the room you're in to challenge and support your goals and the power of humility. He also offers advice on how to apply this thought process to raising children and creating the Speakeasy, a reverse mastermind event. Learn how to embrace failure and achieve success with Steve's advice. Key Points: • He encourages people to use curiosity to break down barriers • Appreciate the moments you earn • Be curious and ask questions • Introduce your children to experts in the industry • Have conversations with your children about cutting-edge topics • Writing a letter to yourself can help measure progress • Dare to be different Best Quotes 11:52 - 12:00 • "No one's answering this question. So then I changed the question looking like, Hey, how come you are, you are wealthy and I'm not." 12:31 - 12:35 • "And one of the questions, one of the answers I always got was, I'm curious." 36:46 - 36:49 • "The best whiskey in the planet is the one we're sharing with friends." 43:30 - 43:41 • "You don't go out, if you wanna go out for the evening, you don't go to Tommy HiFi, you're gonna pick up an outfit to go out that night because hey, that ain't top shelf, you're got a Macy's for that. Sorry, Tommy. But that's a fact." 47:44 - 47:50 • "The easiest way to make a, an entrepreneur go bankrupt is to go, Hey, I bet you can't do this for 10 bucks." 49:17 - 49:32 • "If it's a really good thing, but maybe you are inadequate to do it based on time, you know, com compact, compact, you are able, whatever, get someone else to do it, outsource it, find a jv." 52:23 - 52:31 • "The first time you try anything, it will be shit. Okay? You can't come out of the gate with perfection."
My guest today, Jason Redmond, is a retired Navy Seal. Jason discusses the power of an "overcome mindset". We dive into the importance of self-leadership, awareness, and the balance of being a creative and a warrior. We also talk about the importance of giving, believing in something bigger than yourself, and living by mission. Tune in to hear Jason's inspiring message and learn how to unlock your potential and live as the best version of yourself. Key Points • Got consumed by ego and arrogance • Severely wounded in Iraq • Mission to help others be better • Bad things can happen to good people in good locations • Trauma is trauma regardless of source • Believe in yourself and be believable to others • Learn how to unlock your potential Best Quotes 20:52 - 20:55 • "We don't live in a perfect world, bad things happen to good people" 23:02 - 23:11 • "We have to teach that, the, the, the, I don't know how long ago, I mean, if you go back three or 400 years, we lived in much more dangerous times back then" 35:27 - 35:34 • "If you put a penny in the bank and yield any kind of interest on it, that's a profit, that's a mindset, a profit." 36:49 - 36:58 • "At the end of the day, really this is a message for men, but women too, you should always be thinking about how will I protect my family?" 43:25 - 43:37 • "When you actually talk to them, it's nothing. It's a schedule disruption. Their day just didn't unfold in the way they thought it was gonna. Right. And that's a mindset, that's perspective we talked about at the beginning." 55:18 - 55:28 • "We're distracted. There's this loud horn at all times. The television, the phone, the computer, the podcast, the everything right? Sometimes it all has to turn off." 01:04:07 - 01:04:14 • "Well, I'm glad that that art stands behind you and you are alive to help all these people with the message that you bring to them"
As High-Performers, we're all after three things: to do it all, have it all, and feel good about it, too.
Some will say, "it's all about "balance", but I've got a different story to share with you….
This podcast is going to take you into the minds of some of the world's Top Performers in Business, Relationships, Health, and Mindset, and
give you hands-on methods to move from feeling you're merely managing your High Performance Life, to MASTERING it.
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