Think It: Practical Mindset Tools for Real Life with Sarah Centrella

In this episode, I'm joined once again by my friend Sarah Centrella for her third appearance on the show. Every time Sarah comes back, the conversation goes deeper, and this one couldn't be more timely. We start by talking about something so many of us are feeling right now: how fast life seems to be moving and how easy it is to lose presence if we're not intentional. Over the last two years, Sarah has lived through an incredible mix of milestones and heartbreak. She celebrated her son graduating from college, turned 50, and also experienced the sudden loss of her brother. She shares honestly about how those moments forced her to slow down, reexamine her mindset, and make space for both grief and gratitude at the same time. Sarah also opens up about fulfilling a lifelong dream of backpacking through Europe. That experience became a powerful teacher in simplicity, awareness, and living in the moment. We talk about what travel can reveal about who we are when we step away from routines, expectations, and distractions. We dive into Sarah's new book, Think It, which offers practical tools for shifting your mindset even when life feels heavy. She breaks down concepts like mental tennis, offensive versus defensive thinking, and why mindset is a skill that must be practiced consistently, not just when things are going well. This conversation is not about forcing positivity, but about learning how to take control of your thoughts so they don't control you. We also discuss the role of gratitude during difficult seasons, how to stay present in a fast paced world, and why boredom or stagnation can actually be signals that growth is needed. Sarah shares how she teaches resilience to her children, how she works through negative triggers, and why daily affirmations and reflection matter when paired with intentional action. This episode is for anyone who feels like time is slipping by, life feels heavy, or their mindset needs a reset. Sarah brings both wisdom and practical tools that can help you stay grounded, grateful, and focused on designing a life that actually feels meaningful. In this episode, you will learn: How to stay present and grounded when life feels like it is moving too fast Why gratitude becomes deeper and more powerful after loss and adversity How Sarah used travel as a tool for clarity, healing, and self awareness What mental tennis is and how to use it to redirect negative thought patterns The difference between offensive and defensive thinking in daily life How to take control of your mindset without ignoring hard emotions Why boredom and stagnation are signals for growth, not failure How to build mental resilience through consistent, intentional practice Practical ways to teach resilience and gratitude to your children How to design a life that feels intentional instead of reactive