The Eternal Optimist

Matt Drinkhahn
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The Eternal Optimist

The ‘Eternal Optimist’ is the show for people who see the good in the world and want to make a positive difference in the lives of their families and communities! Twice a week Matt Drinkhahn will help you see challenges as opportunities to learn and grow. You’ll start thinking bigger and playing offense in life more consistently. Every week you’ll hear inspiring stories from people who faced immense challenges and KEPT GOING.

  1. What Happens When Leaders Finally Get Honest With Themselves with Dr. Michael Brabant

    20 HR AGO

    What Happens When Leaders Finally Get Honest With Themselves with Dr. Michael Brabant

    Matt Drinkhahn sits down with Dr. Michael Brabant—transformational psychologist, spiritual guide, and Co-Founder of Candor & Coherence—for a deep dive into what it truly means to lead with clarity, coherence, and heart. Drawing from his journey through trauma healing, academia, and integrative spiritual practice, Michael reveals why traditional leadership tactics often fall short—and how cultivating psychological safety, embodied presence, and radical honesty can unlock authentic transformation in both life and business. If you’ve ever felt the tension between performing and truly being, this episode offers a powerful reframe on how real leaders grow. Chapters: 00:00:00 - Step Inside The Eternal Optimist00:00:14 - Meet Dr. Michael Brabant: Depth Meets Clarity00:00:52 - A Childhood Gift: Curiosity Meets Sensitivity00:02:57 - Turning Sensitivity Into a Superpower00:05:24 - Healing the Past to Lead the Future00:08:58 - How Internal Validation Changed Everything00:12:21 - Finding the Self Beneath the Layers00:16:40 - Building Unshakable Trust Within Yourself00:21:45 - Why Self-Esteem Isn’t Optional00:24:56 - Facing Your Inner Critic Head-On00:25:26 - Feedback as a Catalyst for Growth00:29:14 - Vulnerability: The Gateway to Authentic Leadership00:32:36 - What Is Internal Family Systems, Really?00:36:47 - Practicing Empathy Without Losing Yourself00:38:36 - Why Leaders Must Do the Inner Work00:41:38 - Tools and Wisdom for the Growth Path00:45:29 - Parting Words on Presence and Possibility Links And Resources: Candor & Coherence WebsiteDr. Michael Brabant on LinkedIn Thanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to Eternal Optimist? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on iTunes and leave us a review!

    47 min
  2. The Career-Crushing Identity Trap No One Talks About with Damon Lembi

    10 JUN

    The Career-Crushing Identity Trap No One Talks About with Damon Lembi

    What happens when your lifelong dream shatters at 22—and you’ve got no Plan B? In this raw and real conversation, Matt sits down with Damon Lembi, former pro baseball player turned CEO of Learnit, to explore how identity, leadership, and imposter syndrome collide in high-stakes moments. Damon unpacks the four-step framework he built to overcome self-doubt—Label Your Fear, Work Hard, Practice Deliberately, Learn and Let Go—and shares how it’s helped him evolve from hitting home runs in the College World Series to upskilling over 2 million professionals globally. With vulnerability, grit, and a healthy dose of humility, Damon reveals how failing publicly, receiving tough feedback, and embracing setbacks have been the fuel behind his leadership journey. Whether you’re a CEO, entrepreneur, or ambitious professional, this episode is your playbook for turning adversity into mastery—and doing it with integrity. Chapters: 00:00:00 - Kicking Off with Eternal Optimism00:00:29 - Meet Damon Lembi: From Dugout to Boardroom00:01:28 - Baseball Dreams, Big Setbacks00:05:28 - When Self-Doubt Takes the Mound00:10:04 - The 4 Steps That Saved My Confidence00:16:03 - From Receptionist to CEO: Earning It the Hard Way00:23:08 - The Diagnosis That Changed Everything00:23:48 - Losing Vision, Gaining Clarity00:24:37 - Brotherhood, Mentors, and Support That Stuck00:25:01 - Leading with Humility (and Hair Gel)00:28:06 - Why Podcasting and Connection Fuel Growth00:32:02 - Must-Read Books for Real Leaders00:39:31 - Music, Memories, and the People Who Shape Us00:43:30 - Final Wisdom and a Hopeful Sendoff Links And Resources: WebsiteDamon Lembi on LinkedIn Thanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to Eternal Optimist? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on iTunes and leave us a review!

    44 min
  3. Why Hitting Rock Bottom Was the Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me with Shawn Hoyt

    3 JUN

    Why Hitting Rock Bottom Was the Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me with Shawn Hoyt

    Matt sits down with endurance athlete, Harvard-trained lawyer, and father of six, Shawn Hoyt—a man who’s not just defying age, but redefining it. From sitting the bench in soccer to completing an Ironman and running a marathon at age 55, Shawn shares how hitting personal and professional rock bottom—divorce, job loss, and doubt—became the unexpected catalyst for a profound reinvention. This conversation dives deep into mental toughness, physical transformation, and the power of showing up with intention. If you’ve ever questioned whether it’s too late to start over or aim higher, this episode is your blueprint for rising stronger—with purpose, poise, and relentless positivity. Chapters:  00:00:00 - Kicking Off with Optimism & Energy00:00:50 - What Eternal Optimism Really Means00:02:39 - From the Midwest to Medford: Shawn’s Roots00:04:21 - When the Fitness Spark First Ignited00:06:15 - Breaking Limits, Facing Pain, and Getting Stronger00:14:28 - When Life Falls Apart—and How to Rebuild00:16:46 - Networking That Saved His Career00:22:44 - Getting Back in the Game, One Mile at a Time00:24:06 - Inside the Grit of a Half Ironman00:25:50 - Crushing Self-Doubt and Mental Roadblocks00:27:23 - Training Through the Boston Cold00:28:12 - Injuries, Setbacks, and Refusing to Quit00:30:57 - Race Day Gratitude and Going the Distance00:33:24 - Becoming the Role Model He Once Needed00:37:01 - Finding Love, Healing, and Starting Again00:42:45 - Books and Music That Fuel the Fire00:47:47 - Eternal Optimism, Defined Through Experience Links and Resources: Website: shawnhoytstayactive.comLinkedIn: Shawn Hoyt on LinkedInInstagram: @shawnhoytstayactive Thanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to Eternal Optimist? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on iTunes and leave us a review!

    48 min
  4. Do THIS One Thing to Stop Your Brain from Sabotaging You with Mitch Weisburgh

    20 MAY

    Do THIS One Thing to Stop Your Brain from Sabotaging You with Mitch Weisburgh

    Mitch Weisburgh shares how “mindshifting” isn't just a catchy term—it's a critical life skill that helps us reclaim our thoughts, reshape our reactions, and rewire our brains for lasting success. Mitch walks us through deeply personal stories—from family betrayals and business breakdowns to breakthroughs in classrooms from New York to Niger. He reveals how emotional triggers hijack our minds and how we can use self-awareness, internal dialogue, and mindful distraction to shift from reactivity to resilience. Whether you're a leader navigating high-stakes decisions or an educator inspiring the next generation, this episode offers a rich toolkit to help you stop your brain from sabotaging your happiness and success. Tune in for a conversation full of radical acceptance, leadership growth, and timeless wisdom—because taking charge of your mindset might just change everything. Chapters: 00:00:00 - Betting on Herself & Starting from Scratch00:01:02 - Meet Dorota Wallace: From Nursing to NYC Spa Royalty00:02:06 - Corporate Burnout to Spa Breakthrough00:04:01 - What a Failed Partnership Taught Her About Business00:08:34 - Groupon Goldmine: How She Converted 75% of Clients00:12:45 - Building a Spa That Feels Like a Five-Star Hotel00:20:12 - Her No-Fluff Approach to Skincare Protocols00:21:42 - The Real ROI of Relationship-First Business00:23:33 - How to Turn First-Time Clients Into Lifelong Fans00:27:04 - From Burned Out to CEO: Her Biggest Mindset Shift00:31:36 - Trendspotting & Why She Won’t Sell Just Anything00:39:19 - Real Talk: What It Takes to Thrive in the Spa Industry00:40:51 - What’s Next for Berry Blonde Spa? Links And Resources: MindShiftingWithMitch.comMindShiftingEducators.org📚 Book: Stop Your Brain from Sabotaging Your Happiness and Success – Available on AmazonMitch Weisburgh on LinkedIn Thanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to Eternal Optimist? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on iTunes and leave us a review!

    39 min
  5. Solving Big Problems Through Human Connection and Energy with Aidan Uttinger

    13 MAY

    Solving Big Problems Through Human Connection and Energy with Aidan Uttinger

    What if the next global breakthrough in fighting poverty wasn’t a new policy or billion-dollar aid program—but a shift in energy and intention? In this heart-expanding episode, Matt sits down with Aidan Uttinger, the visionary CEO of The World’s Greatest Experiment, to explore how humanity’s most abundant and underestimated resource—love—can transform lives. Aidan unpacks how \$100/month can sponsor someone to meditate full-time, directing love back to donors and their own communities. From energetic reciprocity to rethinking philanthropy, this conversation is more than an idea—it’s a movement. Chapters: 00:00:00 - Opening the Door to Something Bigger00:01:14 - Growing Up in Chaos, Searching for Peace00:04:09 - Running Away—and Running Toward Purpose00:08:08 - A New Family, A New Frequency00:12:36 - The Moment the Love Project Was Born00:16:23 - Turning Love Into a Measurable Force00:19:49 - The Accident That Changed Everything00:22:29 - Building a Love-Powered Movement in the Philippines00:23:14 - Teaching Children to Meditate for the World00:24:07 - Planting Seeds of Love in Pakistan00:25:19 - Scaling a Global Energy Shift00:26:23 - How Giving Love Changed Entire Communities00:28:51 - Creating Connections That Heal on Both Sides00:34:24 - Meditation as the Gateway to Becoming00:37:55 - Lightning Round: Lessons, Love, and What’s Next Links And Resources:  The World's Greatest Experiment Website Adrian on LinkedIn  Mentioned: Dr. Joe Dispenza Thanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to Eternal Optimist? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on iTunes and leave us a review!

    42 min
  6. “Excuses Don’t Burn Calories”: A Veteran’s Journey From Darkness to Discipline with Brian Cornwell

    6 MAY

    “Excuses Don’t Burn Calories”: A Veteran’s Journey From Darkness to Discipline with Brian Cornwell

    Matt sits down with Brian “Big Country” Cornwell—a decorated veteran, para-athlete, and father of six—who shares his journey from the military to battling depression and PTSD to becoming a national champion in adaptive sports. Brian opens up about how youth coaching, nutrition, and purpose-driven work at Veterans Battle Grounds helped him reclaim his life and mission. This episode will leave you inspired to turn your struggles into strength. Chapters: 00:00:00 - Welcome to a Story of Grit and Gold00:01:01 - Introducing Brian ‘Big Country’ Cornwell00:01:18 - Trading a D1 Scholarship for the Front Lines00:03:12 - Crushed, Broken, and Determined to Rise00:06:50 - Ownership: The Moment Everything Changed00:10:52 - Rebuilding Through Adaptive Sports and Healing00:14:04 - The Birth of Veterans Battle Grounds00:25:33 - Final Reflections and Rapid-Fire Wisdom Links And Resources: Guest Website: https://vbgg.org/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-bigcountry-conwell-ab1aa4246/ Thanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to Eternal Optimist? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on iTunes and leave us a review!

    29 min
  7. Fleeing War, Building Dreams: Rukshana Triem’s Mission for Change

    29 APR

    Fleeing War, Building Dreams: Rukshana Triem’s Mission for Change

    Matt sits down with the remarkable Rukshana Triem, founder of Firmina Foundation and Women’s Lifestyle Coaching. Born amidst the chaos of war in Mozambique, Rukshana’s powerful story of survival, displacement, and resilience will leave you deeply inspired. She shares how her early experiences living in refugee camps shaped her unwavering commitment to give back to the communities that raised her. Together, Matt and Rukshana dive into the real meaning of service, leadership born through adversity, and the tools she uses today to help women worldwide reclaim their purpose. If you’ve ever wondered how hardship can fuel a life of mission-driven impact, this conversation is for you. Chapters: 00:00:00 - Stepping Into the Eternal Optimist Journey00:01:42 - Rukhsana Triem: From Refugee Camps to World Changer00:03:22 - Battling the Odds: Life Inside a Refugee Camp00:05:45 - Starting Over: The Grit of Single Motherhood00:11:01 - Turning Anger Into Growth: A Healing Journey00:15:00 - Lighting the Way: Empowering Women Across Africa00:18:40 - Smart Travel Insights for Emerging Destinations00:19:00 - Finding Health, Purpose, and New Beginnings00:22:24 - Building Dreams: Schools That Change Lives00:29:10 - Village Life vs. City Life: Realities of Africa00:31:25 - Coaching, Leadership, and Living with Purpose00:33:38 - Books, Beats, and Building a Stronger Mind00:35:46 - Parting Wisdom: Staying Eternally Optimistic Links And Resources: Firmina FoundationWomen’s Lifestyle CoachingRukshana Triem on LinkedIn Thanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to Eternal Optimist? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on iTunes and leave us a review!

    37 min
  8. Real Talk About Recovery: Jen Broxterman’s Playbook for Healing, Coaching, and Leadership

    22 APR

    Real Talk About Recovery: Jen Broxterman’s Playbook for Healing, Coaching, and Leadership

    What happens when you’re given an 8% chance to live? In this powerful episode, Jen Broxterman, RD shares how a stage 3 ovarian cancer diagnosis changed her forever—and how it sparked a mission to make nutrition coaching more compassionate and accessible. A former nutritionist to NHL and Olympic athletes, Jen made a bold shift to focus on real people—moms, dads, and everyday folks—who just want to feel better and live longer without being trapped in diet culture. She also created a second business, Prosper Nutrition Coaching, to train the next generation of coaches to teach healthy habits in a shame-free way. Whether you’re a leader looking for systems to scale, a coach building a purpose-driven business, or someone searching for strength after struggle, this episode delivers heart, insight, and hope. Chapters: 00:00:00 – Welcome to Your Weekly Dose of Optimism00:00:39 – Meet Jen Broxterman: Beating the Odds, Changing Lives00:01:23 – Fueling Passion: Why Nutrition Chose Jen00:03:22 – The Wake-Up Call That Changed Everything00:05:06 – Facing Cancer with Courage and Purpose00:11:08 – How Forgiveness Helped Save Her Life00:15:45 – Radical Remission: The Healing Blueprint00:18:45 – The “Healing List” That Transformed Jen’s Health00:19:21 – Jen’s Daily Non-Negotiables for Wellness00:20:00 – Breaking Free from Sugar and Shame00:23:08 – Mastering the Three Circles of Control00:27:34 – Why Kind Nerds Make the Best Coaches00:30:05 – Game-Changing Free Tools for Nutrition Leaders00:32:10 – Jen’s Final Wisdom Bombs You’ll Want to Hear Links And Resources: Prosper Nutrition CoachingNutritionRxPrecision NutritionJen on LinkedInJen on Instagram Thanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to Eternal Optimist? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on iTunes and leave us a review!

    37 min
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Trailer

About

The ‘Eternal Optimist’ is the show for people who see the good in the world and want to make a positive difference in the lives of their families and communities! Twice a week Matt Drinkhahn will help you see challenges as opportunities to learn and grow. You’ll start thinking bigger and playing offense in life more consistently. Every week you’ll hear inspiring stories from people who faced immense challenges and KEPT GOING.

Information

  • Creator
    Matt Drinkhahn
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2025
  • Episodes
    254
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 Matt Drinkhahn
  • Show Website
    The Eternal Optimist

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