Have you ever wondered how scammers succeed? What tempts people to fall into their traps, and how can we protect ourselves? Today, I’m excited to dive into this topic with my incredible friend, mentor, and business coach, Mike Johnston. This is part one of a very special three-part series on scams—a topic that’s deeply personal for me, because I was scammed. This series was recorded months ago. At the time, I wasn’t even sure I had been scammed. A whirlwind of revelations followed, including legal proceedings involving the individual who scammed me, someone operating under the names Tiffany Black or Tiffany Bentley. Authorities now believe many other victims have yet to come forward. If you think this sounds familiar or know you’ve been affected, please contact the Tweed Heads Police Station in Australia to share your story. Scammers thrive on silence, and by speaking out, we can prevent others from becoming victims. In this episode, Mike and I share our personal experiences with scams, along with valuable insights and strategies for protecting yourself. We’ve also included updates on how to spot common scams and ways to avoid emotional traps. If you have been a victim too, let me remind you: it’s not your fault and you are not alone. Scammers are skilled at making you feel to blame. And to those who may be engaging in harmful practices, I urge you to reconsider, the ripple effects of your actions are far-reaching. So grab a cup of tea or coffee, settle in, and enjoy this candid conversation. Let’s learn, grow, and move forward together. Without further ado, here’s Mike Johnston. We’ll be talking about: ➡ [0:00] Introduction ➡ [7:38] I got scammed, again. ➡ [11:02] Scamming in business ➡ [12:20] Mike’s experience with a scammer ➡ [22:21] Other industries are susceptible to scammers ➡ [24:04] My own experience with a scammer ➡ [28:29] Too good to be true, a key lesson ➡ [38:26] Being open to a scam ➡ [42:50] Scamming is becoming easier for scammers ➡ [47:20] The things that really charge you up are things that you don’t accept about yourself ➡ [50:46] It’s not who you are, it’s who you perceive you are ➡ [53:56] What are you learning from the scam ➡ [57:17] Creating boundaries ➡ [1:03:59] Mike’s message ➡ [1:07:41] Final thoughts Resources: If you believe that you’ve been scammed by Tiffany Black or Tiffany Bentley, please contact Tweed Heads Police Station - https://www.police.nsw.gov.au/about_us/regions_commands_districts/northern_region/tweed-byron/tweed_heads_police_station Book Recommendations: ➡ The Lie Detection Book by William J Majeski: https://bit.ly/3W5xAHI Join our Community: ➡ Subscribe to YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DirectSellingAccelerator ➡ Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/auxanomarketing/ About our guest: Mike Johnston is a success architect, intervention strategist, and challenger of the status quo. He has worked with leadership teams at major Australian companies, including Chandler Macleod, NuComm International, and Canva, turning mindset strategies into measurable outcomes. Over his career, Mike has partnered with more than 100 businesses, collectively generating over $500 million in profits. His clients often achieve growth between 30% and 250%, with many exceeding these milestones. A passionate advocate for financial literacy, Mike’s strategies and insights have positively impacted over 1,000 individuals across a variety of industries. Known for simplifying complex business challenges, Mike develops practical, step-by-step solutions to drive success. His disciplined, results-oriented approach draws from his background in sports, focusing on fundamentals and deliberate practice. Mike has trained with global business influencers like Tony Robbins, Jay Abraham, Chet Holmes, Karl Bryan, and Keith Cunningham. He has also worked with top Canadian sports coaches, including Roger Neilson, Mac McLean, and Dave Smart, sharpening his leadership skills. Recognised as one of Perth’s top business influencers by Influence Digest, Mike’s latest venture, Elevate Rise, delivers world-class business support through an immersive community, helping organisations achieve transformational growth. Connect with Mike Johnston ➡ Mike Johnston’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikewjohnston/ ➡ Mike Johnston’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MJElevateRise/?_rdr ➡ Elevate Rise website: www.elevaterise.com.au ➡ Elevate Rise Facebook: facebook.com/ElevateRiseBusiness ➡ Elevate Rise LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/elevate-rise/ Connect with Direct Selling Accelerator: ➡ Visit our website: https://www.auxano.global/ ➡ Subscribe to YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DirectSellingAccelerator ➡ Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/auxanomarketing/ ➡ Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/auxanomarketing/ ➡ Email us: community_manager@auxano.global If you have any podcast suggestions or things you’d like to learn about specifically, please send us an email at the address above. And if you liked this episode, please don’t forget to subscribe, tune in, and share this podcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
