Mental Fitness - the Gateway to Success

In this powerful episode of Mental Fitness - The Gateway to Success, we’re tackling the hidden force behind procrastination, stress, anxiety, and frustration: the Shoulds.You’ll discover:How “shoulds” quietly drain your energy and keep you stuckWhy they hide in plain sight (and how to spot them)The crucial difference between internal and external shouldsA simple, highly effective countermeasure that actually worksAnd most importantly — what Mental Fitness has to do with all of it (hint: everything).If you’ve been avoiding important tasks, feeling overwhelmed, pissed off, or anxious, there’s almost always a “should” at play. This episode will help you identify it, challenge it, and finally move from procrastination to productive action.Stop letting invisible rules run your life. It’s time to say F*ck the Shoulds.🎧 Tune in now and start reclaiming your energy and momentum.If you want to explore this more deeply in your own life and business, email me at [email protected]

In this powerful and deeply honest episode of Mental Fitness – The Gateway to Success, Mikal Nielsen sits down with John Harper — founder of the international red light therapy company Lumaflex.John shares his remarkable journey from facing the threat of jail time, struggling with mental fitness, and battling a brain tumor… to becoming a calm, confident entrepreneur who built a thriving global business. Through his own physical struggles and healing process, he discovered the transformative power of red light therapy — which led him to create high-quality red light therapy devices now used around the world.This conversation is packed with raw insights on:Moving from mental chaos to calm confidenceTaking calculated risksThe critical importance of mental fitnessAnd the simple yet profound philosophy that changed everything: “Slow Up?”If you’re looking for inspiration, practical wisdom, and proof that it’s possible to turn your deepest struggles into your greatest success, this episode is a must-listen.Connect with John Harper & Lumaflex:Website: www.lumaflex.comInstagram: @johngrahamfitness & @lumaflexLinkedIn: John Graham HarperX: @LumaflexBodyProFacebook: John Graham Harper & LumaflexWant to be a guest on the show? Reach out to Mikal Nielsen on PodMatch: podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/mentalfitness

(Incredibly Results from 77,000+ Business Leaders)What is most important for business owners and leaders — Mental Fitness or Physical Fitness?I asked this question to over 77,000 business owners and leaders, and the results genuinely surprised me. In this episode, I reveal the clear winner, share the fascinating (and sometimes controversial) data behind it, and explain why the outcome left me both excited and frustrated.I also dive deeper into the powerful relationship between mental and physical fitness — why they’re not actually in competition, and how the best leaders approach both. Plus, I answer some of the most interesting questions that came up during the research.This episode references these two previous guest episodes:•  EP19 with Clayton•  EP37 with JD TremblayIf you’re a leader who wants to develop Mental Fitness in yourself or across your organization, check out my Positive Intelligence profile here.Interested in bringing Mental Fitness training into your team or company? Email me at [email protected]

In this powerful episode, Dutch-born former COO and CEO Arnold Beekes shares his bold vision for the future of leadership: Brain Athletes.After decades at the top of multinational corporations managing up to 6,000 employees, Arnold walked away from traditional corporate life and the disillusionment of his home country, Holland. Now based in Paraguay, he’s on a mission to develop a new generation of leaders through his Better for All Leaders movement.Arnold opens up about his personal transformation — moving from outer-world success to true inner-world mastery — and introduces the concept of Brain Athletes: leaders who train their minds with the same discipline elite athletes train their bodies.Key Takeaways:How to shift your inner critic into your inner cheerleaderWhy helping others is essential for authentic leadershipThe power of staying curious in a fast-changing worldIf you’re a leader, entrepreneur, or someone who wants to perform at a higher level mentally and emotionally, this episode will inspire and equip you with practical wisdom.Connect with Arnold Beekes:Better for All Leaders → brainathletes.clubFree Brain Health Community → skool.com/brain-fitness-7070Twitter/X: @ArnoldBeekesLinkedIn: Arnold BeekesYouTube: @ArnoldBeekesInstagram: @arnold.beekesMental Fitness: The Gateway To Success PodcastSubscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode.Let us know in the comments: Are you ready to become a Brain Athlete?#Leadership #MentalFitness #BrainHealth #PersonalDevelopment #EntrepreneurshipWant to be a guest on Mental Fitness - the Gateway to Success? Send Mikal Nielsen a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/mentalfitness

Happy For No Reason: The Ultimate Human DesireIn this powerful episode of Mental Fitness: The Gateway to Success, we explore one of humanity’s deepest drives — the pursuit of happiness.I reveal my core belief that happiness is not something we need to chase or earn — it is our natural state, our birthright, and the strongest hidden driver behind sustainable success.You’ll discover the surprising answer to this key question:What does happiness have to do with mental fitness?My answer? Everything… and nothing.I break down the powerful distinction between:•  Happiness for a reason (conditional, fragile, and temporary)•  Happiness for no reason (unconditional, resilient, and life-changing)This episode draws deep inspiration from Marci Shimoff’s transformative book Happy for No Reason and shows you how cultivating “happy for no reason” dramatically strengthens your mental fitness, clarity, and leadership presence.Whether you’re a business owner, leader, or anyone seeking more fulfillment, this conversation will challenge how you think about happiness and give you a new foundation for both personal joy and professional success

In this heartfelt episode of Mental Fitness: The Gateway to Success, I sit down with Saw Myint — a Burmese-born mortgage broker now thriving in Sydney, Australia. Saw shares how she blends the Buddhist way with the fast-paced world of business, proving you don’t need to sit on a cushion to live mindfully.This conversation is packed with practical life wisdom and powerful gems, including:Why we unnecessarily hold on to past events — and how to finally let them goThe liberating truth that no one can hurt us psychologicallyThe profound power of having a genuine desire to help othersSaw’s journey and insights offer a refreshing perspective on resilience, purpose, healing and success that goes beyond traditional self-help.Listen now for inspiration that will shift how you approach both life and business.To learn more about Saw Myint and her work:Facebook: One Stop Property FinanceEmail: [email protected] you’d like to explore meditation and its benefits for your personal and professional life, email me at: [email protected]

In this episode of Mental Fitness - The Gateway to Success, we dive deep into why mental fitness is rapidly becoming the ultimate competitive advantage in business and leadership.Mental fitness is the ability to face challenges, pressure, and conflict with clarity and positivity — free from stress, frustration, worry, or anger. Leaders who develop it don’t just survive tough environments; they thrive in them.I explore how mental fitness directly transforms key leadership areas:- Taking smart Risks- Masterful Listening- Boosting Creativity- Authentic Connecting- Team Building (and how to grow mental fitness across your team)- Sales excellenceWhether you’re a business owner, leader, or aspiring entrepreneur, this episode delivers insights to the importance of strengthening your mental game and unlock higher performance.If you found this valuable, please share it with your network.Want to explore how mental fitness can specifically elevate your leadership or business? Reach out — I’d love to talk (book a call here)Interested in sharing your own story as a guest? Join me on PodMatch here

In this raw and deeply personal conversation, former Baptist pastor, FBI Special Agent, and SWAT operator Eric Robinson shares his unlikely transition from the pulpit to chasing criminals with the FBI.Eric opens up about the vastly different challenges of ministering to a congregation versus operating on high-stakes SWAT calls. He recounts intense, unforgettable stories from both worlds and reveals how he built mental fitness through reflection, sharing, the power of the pause, and staying curious.He also discusses the surprising lessons that carried over from one career to the other — and recommends two powerful books: Nudge by Richard H. Thaler and Cass R. Sunstein, plus his own highly anticipated memoir, Irreverend: From Saving Souls to Chasing Sinners in the FBI, coming out in September 2026.A must-listen for anyone interested in personal transformation, mental resilience, faith, law enforcement, or simply an extraordinary life story.Connect with Eric Robinson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-robinson-9220053a4/Interested in being a guest on the Mental Fitness Podcast? Sign up here: https://www.joinpodmatch.com/mentalfitnessWant to explore personal coaching? Email [email protected]

Failing Forward: Finding the Silver Lining… FasterIn this solo episode, I reveal the single most powerful theme that keeps coming up across all my guest interviews: learning how to grow from your mistakes.I dive deep into the concept of “Failing Forward” — a powerful mindset I first discovered from Roger Hamilton (the full story is in Episode 36: Wealth Dynamics – how one test changed my life and business).We explore:How failure can build resilience… or completely knock it downWhy Failing Forward requires mental fitness — and how it simultaneously builds itWho actually fails more: successful people or unsuccessful people?The art of finding the silver lining in failure… and doing it fasterAs JD Tremblay shared after completing 10 Ironmans in 10 days (Episode 37), sometimes you just have to “pick your hard.”Failure isn’t something you should actively chase — but when it shows up (and it will), the difference between those who rise and those who stay stuck is how quickly they extract the lesson and keep moving forward.This episode is all about consciously building your mental fitness so you can fail forward more effectively.If you’d like personal support with strengthening your mental fitness, feel free to email me at [email protected] your thoughts in the comments — what’s one failure you’ve turned into a breakthrough?

In 2022, only 10 athletes were invited to the legendary EpicDeca in Hawaii — one of the most brutal endurance events ever created: **10 full Ironman triathlons in 10 consecutive days**.Only 6 showed up at the start line. Only 3 finished.In this powerful episode, I sit down with one of those three finishers: ultra-endurance athlete, author, philanthropist, and founder of The Hungry Warrior Academy — JD Tremblay.JD opens up about the extreme physical and mental demands of the challenge, the brutal highs and lows during and after the event, and how he built the unbreakable mental fitness required to achieve something only two other people in the world have ever done.He shares raw stories of when his mindset failed him in the past, how he deliberately trained his mind to perform under pressure, and his powerful philosophy on life: “It’s going to be hard no matter what path you choose… so pick the hard that’s going to give you the most fulfillment.”This is more than just an endurance story — it’s a masterclass in mental toughness, resilience, and living with purpose.Key Topics:- What it really takes to complete 10 Ironmans in 10 days- Building elite-level mental fitness- The mental battles during and after the race- How to choose your “hard” in life- Lessons on fulfillment, growth, and giving backJD is also the author of Hunger For More Life and offers free resources to help people dramatically increase their mental capacity and performance in any area of life.🔗 Free Resources from JD: https://speakerhub.com/cta/g0Mm6R  (fill in the form to get access to the resources)🔗 Hungry Warrior Academy: www.hungrywarrioracademy.com  🔗 Check out his book Hunger For More Life: https://hunger4more.com/If you want to upgrade your mindset and learn how to push your limits in life, this episode is for you.What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever done? Drop it in the comments!#Ironman #UltraEndurance #MentalFitness #EpicDeca

In this powerful episode of Mental Fitness: The Gateway to Success, I share the deeply personal story of how I hit rock bottom — burnout, depression, and walking away from my business — only to experience a profound transformation through one unexpected tool.A good twenty years ago, I attended Tony Robbins’ Date with Destiny 6-day course in Australia. It was an incredible experience, but another life changing experience took place as the friend I stayed with, got me to do Roger Hamilton’s Wealth Dynamics profile test. What started as a simple personality quiz completely rewired how I understood myself, my strengths, and the way I built and ran my business… and… why I had to go back home and shut down my business and start all over again.In this episode, I break down:The critical difference between your nature strengths (what you’re naturally wired for) and nurture strengths (what you’ve learned and developed)Why treating them the same way leads to frustration and burnoutHow understanding your natural flow can unlock far greater success with much less effortAnd, of course, where Mental Fitness fits into all this.I also share how this insight led me to Bali, where I spent 30 days at Entrepreneurs Institute’s iLab business incubator and became a certified Flow Consultant in the Wealth Dynamics system.Whether you’re an entrepreneur, leader, or someone feeling stuck in the wrong lane, this episode will help you see why working against your nature is so exhausting — and how aligning with it can transform your results and your life.✅ Take the Wealth Dynamics test here: [Link] (US$97)✅ Or book a 90-minute Profile Optimizer Session with me (including the test): [email protected] for individuals ready to stop forcing themselves into the wrong model of success — and ideal for leadership teams wanting to unlock higher performance and better collaboration.

In this powerful episode of Mental Fitness: The Gateway to Success, I sit down with James Lang — a man who managed to compress 20 years of business experience into just 6 years.James gets incredibly vulnerable and shares:• His complete business pivot that saved his sanity• How academic failure actually saved his career• How he’s using AI to level up his mental fitness• The terminal illness diagnosis that made him fall in love with life instead of breaking himThis conversation is raw, inspiring, and packed with practical wisdom for anyone feeling stuck in their business or life.📖 Book mentioned: "The AI Driven Leader" by Geoff Woods🔗 Connect with James Lang:• New Adventure: www.overlang.com• Email: [email protected]• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-lang-94329271/If you’re going through a pivot, facing burnout, or looking to use AI to strengthen your mindset — this episode is for you.#MentalFitness #BusinessPivot #PersonalGrowth #AILeadership #Resilience #PodMatch

Struggling with self-doubt, procrastination, or bouncing back from setbacks? The secret isn’t more hustle — it’s mental fitness.In this episode I dive deep into why mental fitness is the true key to success in every area of life. You’ll learn how to:• Boost confidence and take bolder risks• Spark consistent creativity• Build unbreakable resilience and fail forward• Stay committed when motivation fadesPlus: Why strengthening mental fitness is the most effective way to solve many modern mental health struggles.I also expose the hidden villains holding most people back — your Mental Saboteurs — and show you exactly how to identify and defeat them using the world-class Positive Intelligence framework.Take the FREE Saboteur Assessment (under 7 minutes) here: https://positiveintelligence.com/saboteurs/Complete it and I’ll personally offer you a free 45-minute coaching session to unpack your results.More about my Positive Intelligence coaching: https://marketplace.positiveintelligence.com/profiles/699912bd554ecfbcb0eacb88Questions? Email me at [email protected] for more practical mindset tools that actually move the needle.#MentalFitness #Saboteurs #PositiveIntelligence #OvercomeSelfSabotage #MindsetForSuccess

In this inspiring episode of Mental Fitness: The Gateway to Success, host I sit down with Fritz Frohlke, a former top-level professional kajaker who left Germany behind to chase dreams on the other side of the world in New Zealand.Fritz shares his raw, no-holds-barred story: rising through the competitive ranks of kayaking, navigating the massive leap to a new country, juggling multiple businesses with alternating failures and triumphs, finding his life partner (and now enjoying a happy marriage), and weathering the devastating business collapse during COVID.Through it all, Fritz reveals how he intentionally grew his mental fitness to push past setbacks, stay resilient, and ultimately build a significant property portfolio while creating the fulfilling life he lives today.Key highlights from Fritz:His path to becoming a professional kayakerThe bold move from Germany to New ZealandLessons from running multiple businessesHow he met his partner and built a strong marriageSurviving COVID’s impact and business failureThe specific ways he developed mental strength along the journeyFritz generously recommends powerful resources that helped shape his mindset:Mind Power by John Kehoe (a classic on mental mastery and visualization)The film Marty Supreme (2025) – a gripping character study of relentless pursuit and hustle (starring Timothée Chalamet, directed by Josh Safdie) – watch the trailer or stream it for inspiration on going “to hell and back” for your dreams: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt32916440/CareSens Air Continuous Glucose Monitor – for optimizing health and energy through better glucose tracking (especially useful for high-performers managing stress and performance): https://pharmacodiabetes.co.nz/our-products/continuous-glucose-monitoring-system/caresens-airWant to connect with Fritz or learn more about his journey? Reach out via email: [email protected] you’re ready to level up your own mental fitness and turn obstacles into opportunities, this episode is packed with real-world insights you won’t want to miss. Hit play now!

AI is exploding—disrupting jobs, energy demands, global power races, and economies. Everyone’s talking about who wins the AI race (China vs. USA), the bubble bursting, mass unemployment, or power shortages.But almost no one is addressing the real human cost: the massive emotional and mental toll.Rising anxiety, worry, fear of obsolescence, loss of purpose, identity crises—it’s already starting. Leaders, governments, and AI companies? Doing virtually nothing to prepare people mentally or emotionally.In this episode, we dive into why mental fitness is the overlooked key to surviving (and thriving) in the AI era. Without it, we’re heading toward a surge in mental health challenges. With it, you build resilience no matter what disruptions come.Growing your mental fitness isn’t just “nice to have”—it’s essential, regardless of where AI takes us.For deeper insights, check out Tony Robbins’ powerful recent interview on The Diary of a CEO podcast (Jan 2026), where he warns about AI’s psychological impact, job displacement leading to purposelessness, and the urgent need to master your mind and emotions in this rapid change.If you’re feeling the unease about AI—or want tools to stay strong—hit play now. Subscribe for more on mental resilience in a fast-changing world. Drop a comment: What’s your biggest AI worry?If you would like a deeper discussion about this, email me at [email protected]

What happens when a literal new heart inspires a mission to help others find theirs in business and life? Join me for an inspiring conversation with Jeff Parnell, a transition specialist who survived a life-saving heart transplant in 2018.This experience became the foundation for his upcoming book, The Heart of Transition, where he guides high-achieving professionals out of long careers into meaningful next chapters—using mental fitness as the key to success.Jeff opens up about the emotional and practical challenges of change, plus shares the transformative book that boosted his own resilience: Sacred Cows Make the Best Burgers by Robert Kriegel and David Brandt.Ready to rethink your own transition? Reach out to Jeff on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffparnell/or at [email protected].

Success leaves clues — and so does struggle.In this powerful episode of Mental Fitness: The Gateway to Success, I explore a topic we don’t often connect to high performance: sex, love, and intimate relationships.Because the truth is simple:Where your mental fitness is low… everything feels harder.Where your mental fitness is high… connection, intimacy, and love flow naturally.In this episode, I share openly what happens in my own relationship with my wife when my mental fitness drops — and what shifts when it rises. The difference is like day and night.We explore: • Why mental fitness directly impacts intimacy • The hidden link between emotional regulation and sexual connection • Why growing your mental fitness is essential for deep fulfilment • A simple yet powerful tool you can use — alone or with your partner — to create immediate deeper connectionIf you’re watching the video version, I also give you a glimpse of the breathtaking view from our new Sanctuary — the space we’ll be using for upcoming couples’ retreats.This episode is honest. Practical. Personal.And potentially relationship-changing.Because mental fitness doesn’t just help you succeed in business or on the golf course.It shows up everywhere.Including in bed.If you want support with this in your own life, reach out to [email protected]

What would you do if you were lying alone on a mountainside with a broken neck… for six hours?In this powerful episode of Mental Fitness: The Gateway to Success, I sit down with Clayton Hairs — also known by his artist name Clayton John — who shares the raw and extraordinary story of the mountain bike crash that left him paralysed and fighting for his life.For six hours, Clayton lay on the ground till he was found. What got him through wasn’t luck. It was mental fitness.Clayton speaks openly about: • What was going through his mind as he waited to be found • The journey that followed in the ICU and beyond  • Adjusting to life in a wheelchair as a family man, artist and teacher • Continuing his work as an artist despite being unable to move his arms • How he built and continues to strengthen his mental fitnessAs a meditation teacher, Clayton also shares the practice he facilitates called Heartfulness, which you can explore through their free app.He also references the profound book The Noonday Demon by Andrew Solomon, a powerful exploration of resilience and the human mind and how it benefited him.This episode is a moving reminder that while we can’t always control what happens to us, we can train how we respond.If you’ve ever wondered whether mental fitness truly matters in real-life hardship — this conversation will answer that.Follow Clayton and his recovery journey on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=cclayton20hairsClayton’s artwork can be found here:https://www.lintonandkay.com.au/artists/clayton-john/https://www.instagram.com/clayton_images/?hl=enhttps://heartfulness.org/magazine/contributors/clayton-johnHe can be contacted by txt to +642041025259

Mental fitness is essential for success — especially if you want to achieve it without stress.But here’s a question I get asked all the time:Where do you actually go to train your mental fitness muscles?In this episode of Mental Fitness: The Gateway to Success, I share the story of discovering what I now call a mental fitness gym — a powerful system I came across four years ago and still use today, both personally and in my coaching work with leaders, business owners, and high performers.Just like physical fitness, knowing your starting point matters. That’s why this gym begins with a free mental fitness assessment, helping you understand where you are today and where to focus your growth.In this episode, I cover: • Why mental fitness needs structured training • The surprising way I discovered this “gym” • How it supports real-world stress reduction and performance • Why assessment is the first step toward meaningful changeIf you’re curious to explore the free assessment I mention in this episode, email me at [email protected] and I’ll send you the best link to get started.

Welcome to Season 2 of Mental Fitness: The Gateway to Success — and thank you to everyone who supported Season 1.In this episode, I share my unexpected Christmas story: a surprise helicopter ride, 14 days in the ICU at Auckland Hospital, and celebrating Christmas in hospital instead of at home with our children.This isn’t a medical story.It’s a mental fitness story.I talk about how mental fitness helped me through the toughest moments — not with forced positivity (there was none of that), but by removing worry, minimising stress, and supporting both healing and recovery.As Season 2 continues, I’m inviting guests to share their own stories of challenge, resilience, and growth. If that’s you — or you know someone who should be heard — get in touch: [email protected]

Feeling stressed heading into Christmas? You’re not alone.In this final 2025 episode of Mental Fitness: The Gateway to Success, I share two simple tools that can reduce stress and mental tension in just a few seconds — perfect for busy leaders and business owners.This episode also marks an important milestone for the podcast. After 26 weekly episodes in this 6-month trial run, I originally decided not to continue the show next year. But something changed… and I share the full story of what made me reverse that decision and commit to continuing in 2026.🎧 In this episode you’ll discover:00:00 – Why this episode matters01:10 – Gratitude for your support + Spotify award03:25 – The surprising turnaround: why the podcast will continue07:45 – Why stress levels spike before Christmas10:30 – Tool #1: Rapid stress reset in seconds13:10 – Tool #2: A simple mental tension release you can use anywhere17:30 – Final reflections for the yearIf you celebrate Christmas, I wish you a joyful, restorative, and peaceful one.Thank you for supporting the podcast during its first year — your messages, comments, and listens have meant more than you know.See you in the new year!Warm regards,Mikal

In this episode of Mental Fitness: The Gateway to Success, we take the next step in the meditation journey we began over the last two episodes — and this time, we actually meditate together.I guide you through my personal 5 Stages of Meditation, a process I’ve developed over 32 years to help busy professionals move from basic awareness to profound inner stillness and fulfilment.Here’s what we explore: 1. Mindful OF X – Building awareness of what’s present. 2. Meditate ON X – Deepening the experience with focused intention. 3. Experience Mental Stillness – Meeting the quiet beneath the noise. 4. Meditate ON Stillness – Deepening your relationship with that quiet. 5. Dissolving the Meditator – A transformative shift beyond effort and identity.Whether you’re new to meditation or you’ve been practicing for years, this guided experience offers a simple, practical way to access more joy, clarity, and presence in your daily life.If you’d like more personalised guidance with this practice, feel free to reach out — I’m always happy to help you explore it further.

In this episode, I take you on a very personal journey through 32 years of meditation — from living for a year at a meditation centre, to a deep 3-week solo retreat in a mountain hut, to multiple 10-day silent Vipassana retreats… all the way to where my practice lives today (spoiler: you’ll find me meditating while driving, cooking, working — even making love).I share the meditation system I designed specifically for busy business people, and how my understanding of meditation has moved far beyond the cross-legged-on-a-cushion stereotype.Together, we explore the Purpose of meditation, the Outcomes it creates, and the real-world challenges that get in the way of actually doing it.And to wrap it all up, I give you a couple of simple, practical ways to either start — or deepen — your own meditation journey.All of it is aligned with the three ‘IN’ pillars of this podcast: IN-sights, IN-spirations, and IN-tentional actions.There’s a lot of value in a short episode — and I hope you find something meaningful for you.Got questions? Don’t hold back.Comment or email me at [email protected]

In this episode, I’m joined by fellow Mental Fitness Coach Cheryl Robinson, who shares how strengthening her mental fitness has transformed her life in unexpected ways.Cheryl opens up about how her practice improved her relationships, inspired her to join a choir, and even helped her overcome a lifelong fear of rats.She also introduces a concept I instantly fell in love with—“Project Status”—a simple yet powerful way to understand where we place our energy.We dive into her experience with Journalling and Nonviolent Communication (NVC), and how both have supported her personal growth and coaching journey.You can connect with Cheryl on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryl-robinson-01/And email her at: [email protected]

In this episode, I take you back to the very beginning of my journey with meditation — more than 30 years ago — and explore how it’s shaped my life and my work as a coach for business owners and leaders.We look at the powerful connection between meditation and mental fitness, and why this ancient practice is still one of the most effective tools for building calm, clarity, and resilience in today’s fast-paced world.But before diving into techniques or benefits, this episode starts with a simple — and surprisingly profound — question:👉 What does “meditation” really mean?Here’s a snippet from the episode:“Most people think meditation means sitting still, breathing slowly, and trying not to think.But the word itself tells a deeper story.It comes from the Latin meditārī — to think deeply, to reflect —and mederi — to heal.So at its root, meditation means to reflect deeply… in order to heal.”If you’ve ever wondered whether meditation is worth your time — or how it can truly serve your mental fitness — this episode will give you a fresh, grounded perspective on why it matters… and why it’s worth bothering.For any personal support with meditation, let's have a conversation. Email me at [email protected]

This episode is especially close to my heart. I’m joined by my wife, Kathy Menzies, who shares her powerful and deeply personal journey of struggle, transformation, and growth.Kathy opens up about:💔 Losing her brother to suicide💸 The pain and lessons of bankruptcy🧠 The impact of poor mental fitness — and how she rebuilt it❤️ Her remarkable transition from school teacher to Sex, Love & Relationship Coach.What I love most about this conversation is Kathy’s openness and courage. It’s raw, real, and filled with hope — a reminder that no matter how dark life gets, healing and growth are always possible.Also, this episode is recorded in our new sanctuary that we are now opening up to individuals and couples to come for retreat, rejuvenation and taking their life/business/relationship to the next level. To learn more, email to [email protected]

Episode 20 – Time for Something Completely Different!In this episode, I get personal — really personal — as we explore buttons. You know, those emotional triggers that get pushed by the people around us.I share my own journey of discovering what pushes my buttons, how I learned to react differently, and the surprising insight that allows you to “push” other people’s buttons without actually doing a thing.Welcome to The Art of Button Management — a fresh and powerful look at emotional awareness, mental fitness and influence.

In this episode of Mental Fitness: The Gateway to Success, Jason Lennie shares his raw and honest journey through repeated cycles of burnout — and the powerful moment he finally recognised the destructive pattern behind it.That awareness led Jason to seek coaching support, helping him redefine how he lives and leads — creating a more productive, sustainable, and deeply fulfilling life and business.Jason also reveals four books that have profoundly shaped his growth, along with an entrepreneur profiling system that transformed the way he understands himself and runs his creative brand strategy business.The books are:7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen CoveyPocket of Do by Chris DoWin Without Pitching by  Blair EnnsTime Management: A Complete Waste of Time by Mikal NielsenThe profiling system is Wealth Dynamics by Roger HamiltonJason is the founder of Ledge, a creative brand strategy company.🌐 Learn more at www.ledge.nz💼 Connect with Jason on LinkedIn or reach out via email: [email protected]

In this episode, we continue the powerful journey from episode 16: Triangulating Success.With you Life Purpose and Life Mission Statement in place (EP16), we take the next step in the Triangle Model: What is it that is truly important to you at this moment in your life.It is filtering your life purpose into every aspects of your life: Living PurposefullyDownload the free Action Guide that has the full process outlined. Here the link: https://mikal.nz/actionguide

Former national triathlon coach, successful businessman, acclaimed motivational speaker, and cancer survivor—John Shackleton’s story is one of resilience and reinvention. But his most powerful transformation goes beyond any title or achievement. In this candid interview, John reveals the mindset and heartset that have redefined his life and continue to inspire thousands.John also shares practical tools throughout our conversation, including a book  that made a big difference to the quality of his life.

In this episode of Mental Fitness: The Gateway to Success, we move beyond the lighthouse concept introduced in Episode 12 and step into one of the simplest yet most powerful success models I’ve ever created: The Triangles.I’ll walk you through the general use of this model and then dive into its most profound application—using it to design your Life Purpose. Once defined, this becomes your personal lighthouse, guiding every decision and shaping how you live, lead, and run your business.If you’ve been searching for clarity, direction, or a deeper sense of meaning, this episode will help you chart a course toward success that feels aligned and purposeful.For further support with this, download the free Action Guide that has the Triangle concept and process in it. \Here’s the link: https://mikal.nz/actionguideIf you want to know more about the book Time Management: A Complete Waste of Time, it’s all here: https://mikal.nz/time-management-book

In this episode of Mental Fitness: The Gateway to Success, my guest Patrick Sherratt shares his remarkable journey from a challenging childhood to becoming a business owner dedicated to helping others manage stress and overcome trauma.Patrick opens up about the turning points that shaped his path, the tools that supported his transformation—including a powerful book and an ancient perspective on the four levels of happiness—and how he now equips youth, professionals, and organizations to build resilience.With experience delivering workshops for Air New Zealand staff and management, running seminars for health professionals, and teaching exam study strategies to high school students, Patrick’s passion for facilitating stress management and mental fitness shines through. His story of moving from very low to very high mental fitness is both moving and inspiring.For more about Patrick’s work, including his books and online courses, visit innervate.co, or connect with him on LinkedIn or via email to [email protected] book he mentions is Mind Power by John Kehoe

In this episode of Mental Fitness: The Gateway to Success, we dive into one of the most overlooked performance tools for business owners and managers—your breath. Breathing is something we do more than 20,000 times a day, yet most of us are doing it wrong, without even knowing it.Discover how restricted breathing silently drains your energy, clouds your decision-making, and amplifies stress—and how restoring natural, full breathing can dramatically shift your leadership, your focus, and your wellbeing.I share my personal story of realizing just how restricted my own breathing had become, and the transformation that followed when I learned to restore it. You’ll learn:✅ How proper breathing keeps you calm under pressure.✅ Why it sharpens focus and boosts energy.✅ The role it plays in better decision-making.✅ How leaders who breathe well model resilience and confidence for their teams.If you’re ready to unlock a simple yet powerful game-changer in business and life, this episode will show you why the breath truly is your greatest untapped resource.You can access my online Breathing for Life course here: https://www.innervate.co/collectionsAnd the article on LinkedIn here. If you want personal support with this, email me at [email protected] breathing practice I refer to for my morning practice is the Wim Hof Method (plenty of videos available on YouTube).

In this episode of Mental Fitness: The Gateway to Success, my guest Derek Hansen shares a deeply personal story of how the Covid pandemic shook him as a business owner and leader. At the time, he lacked the mental fitness to handle the unexpected stress and turmoil — until he reached a breaking point that led to powerful transformation.Derek opens up about the journey of rebuilding his resilience, growing his mental fitness, and turning things around not just for himself, but also for his business. He also shares simple yet powerful tools and two books that made a profound impact on his path.This episode is a reminder that even in the toughest seasons, growth and renewal are possible with the right mindset and support.👉 To learn more about Derek and his company, connect with him on LinkedIn.The two books Derek talks about are:Three Magic Words by U.S. AndersenThink and Grow Rich by Wallace D. Wattles

In this episode of Mental Fitness: The Gateway to Success, my guest Derek Hansen shares a deeply personal story of how the Covid pandemic shook him as a business owner and leader. At the time, he lacked the mental fitness to handle the unexpected stress and turmoil — until he reached a breaking point that led to powerful transformation.Derek opens up about the journey of rebuilding his resilience, growing his mental fitness, and turning things around not just for himself, but also for his business. He also shares simple yet powerful tools and two books that made a profound impact on his path.This episode is a reminder that even in the toughest seasons, growth and renewal are possible with the right mindset and support.👉 To learn more about Derek and his company, connect with him on LinkedIn.The two books Derek talks about are:Three Magic Words by U.S. AndersenThink and Grow Rich by Wallace D. Wattles

In this episode of Mental Fitness – The Gateway to Success, I explore the power of building your own lighthouse—a personal beacon that guides you through the dark and stormy patches of life and business.I’ll walk you through the quickest method I know for creating this inner guide, the same approach that helped me navigate stress, anxiety, and frustration.Plus, I’m sharing a free Action Guide you can use to put this process into practice right away—so you can create a steady light to keep you focused, resilient, and moving forward no matter what challenges you face. Access your free Action Guide here: https://mikal.nz/actionguideSuggested previous episodes leading up to this one: EP6, EP8 and EP10Also referenced in this episode, are my conversations with Russell Clark in EP3, and Howie Clare in EP7The book referenced Time Management: A Complete Waste of Time can be found here: https://mikal.nz/time-management-book

In this episode of Mental Fitness: The Gateway to Success, Tony Brooks introduces a powerful new term: Wholesale Transformation. He opens up about the hidden cost of his ongoing business success—neglecting himself and those closest to him—until everything came crashing down in his late 40s.Tony shares with raw honesty how asking for help became the turning point that shifted his mental fitness from rock bottom to a much higher level in a surprisingly short time. His story is both vulnerable and inspiring, offering hope and perspective for anyone navigating their own challenges.Connect with Tony Brooks on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-brooks-81118193/

In this eye-opening episode of Mental Fitness: The Gateway to Success, we debunk the myth of time management and reveal why time itself doesn’t exist. Discover a transformative approach to managing what truly matters, leading to deeper fulfillment, higher productivity, and less stress. We break it down into three simple steps:Step 1: Realize the reality that time is an illusion.Step 2: Replace it with something you can manage.Step 3: Unlock deeper fulfillment, greater productivity, and less stressWe also reference the timeless wisdom from Alan Watts’ book Become What You Are and share a free Action Guide to help you put these insights into practice right away: mikal.nz/actionguideTune in to shift your perspective, reclaim your energy, and thrive without chasing the clock.

In this raw and vulnerable episode, our guest, Lloyd Shand, opens up about reaching a breaking point, where burnout put his family and well-being on the line. He shares how he discovered the importance of mental fitness and how that eventually led him to sell his business and dedicate his life to helping other men navigate the world of business, family and purpose. Tune in for an honest conversation about overcoming burnout, prioritizing mental health, and finding purpose through resilience.The book Lloyd recommends is: The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari by Robin SharmaFor more information on Lloyd Shand, check out his website here: https://www.thecalmguy.co.nz/ and his LinkedIn profile here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lloydshand/To book a conversation with Lloyd, email him at [email protected]

Struggling to manage your time effectively as a business owner or leader? The problem might not be your schedule—it could be the myths you’ve bought into about time itself. In this episode, we debunk seven common misconceptions that hold you back from mastering your time. By challenging these myths, you’ll unlock a fresh, more productive, and fulfilling approach to time management.What You’ll Learn:Why “not enough time” is a mindset trap (Myth #1)The truth about time as your biggest asset (Myth #2)Why you can’t actually “manage” time (Myth #3)How being busy doesn’t mean being productive (Myth #4)The hidden costs of multitasking (Myth #5)Why constant work isn’t the answer (Myth #6)The flaw in one-size-fits-all time management strategies (Myth #7)Bonus: Grab the free Action Guide to apply these insights: https://mikal.nz/actionguideMissed the intro to this time management series, based on the bestselling book Time Management: A Complete Waste of Time? Catch up on Spotify [https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/mZ5mKF49uVb] or YouTube [https://youtu.be/edbi_HBuLcI].Why Listen? This episode delivers practical, myth-busting insights to transform how you approach your day, helping you work smarter, not harder.

When life falls apart, mental fitness becomes your greatest ally. In this powerful episode, guest Howie Clare opens up about the emotional turmoil of his marriage breakdown and the transformative journey that followed. Discover how cultivating mental fitness can turn pain into growth, offering profound lessons and unexpected gifts. We dive into two key areas impacted by mental fitness: understanding how others perceive us and the courage to ask for help.Highlights:• Howie’s raw and inspiring story of resilience• Key insights on self-awareness and seeking support• Memorable quotes: • “If you think hiring a professional is expensive, try using an amateur.” • “This year will be a great year when I achieve the following…”• Book recommendation: How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale CarnegieConnect with Howie: Reach out at [email protected] Listen? This episode is a must for anyone navigating challenges or seeking to strengthen their mental resilience. Tune in for actionable insights and an uplifting story of transformation.

In this episode, Mikal Nielsen, author of bestselling book Time Management: A Complete Waste of Time, dismantles the myth that traditional time management is the key to productivity, efficiency, and work-life balance. Discover why conventional approaches fall short and explore Mikal’s transformative alternative to achieve success in business and beyond. Plus, get access to a free Action Guide—a practical template to kickstart your journey toward a more effective and fulfilling life.Download your Action Guide here: https://mikal.nz/actionguideLearn more about the book and where to get it: https://mikal.nz/time-management-bookConnect with Mikal on LinkedIn for articles and regular updates: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikalnielsen/

In this compelling episode, finance expert Josh Allan reveals how stress silently infiltrated his life and kept him from being his best professionally and in his personal life. With raw honesty, Josh walks us through his journey from confusion to clarity, sharing how he transformed his life to achieve remarkable work-life balance. He offers practical tools that fueled his turnaround and introduces his unique “Compost and Daisies” practice—a powerful approach to mental resilience. Tune in to discover actionable strategies for conquering stress and unlocking your potential.You can connect with and learn more about Josh here on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-allan-cfa-58611b155/If you want to learn more about the breathing techniques Josh is talking about, email me at [email protected]

An unexpected and in the moment sharing while my face is blown up and I'm in pain, both physically and mentally.This new podcast is about sharing real life stories of how Mental Fitness affects how we deal with real life challenges, personally and professionally.I’m this episode I use my current painful situation to share how my mental fitness level has influenced how I am managing.Would you like to come on my podcast as a guest, go https://mikal.nz/podcast and fill in the Guest Application Form or email me at [email protected]

In this episode, our guest, Russell Clark, owner and manager of one of the most successful renovation businesses in New Zealand, Licensed Renovations, shares a powerful story on how he ended up in serious trouble because of a lack of mental fitness.He also shares with us, that despite having had many sports and business coaches over the decades, it was only when he got himself a mind coach that things really started to improve, both in his personal life and in his business. In short, it was when he started growing his mental fitness.He talks to us about some of the ways he did that, and how he learned to say no to empower both himself and his staff.You can check out his business here: https://www.licensedrenovations.co.nz/

What is Mental Fitness?Is there a definition?Is it really the gateway to success?The answer to all of that is in this episode.I also mention my detailed - and free - Mental Fitness Guide to Enhance Performance. Download it here: https://mikal.nz/mental-fitness-guideQuestions? Email me to [email protected]

In this first episode of Mental Fitness - the Gateway to Success, the host, Mikal Nielsen, shares why he created this podcast.He covers the Why, the Who, the What and the When and Where as a model for starting something new, like a product, a service, a business, etc.For more info on Mikal, go to www.mikal.nz or connect with him on LinkedIn or email him at [email protected]