Behind The Human with Marc Champagne

Marc Champagne
  • 5.0 (79)
  • MENTAL HEALTH
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Unpacking the stories and mental fitness practices of people living at the top of their game personally and professionally.

  1. The CEO Who Learned to “Fix Her Code” — And Rewired Her Entire Life

    9H AGO

    The CEO Who Learned to “Fix Her Code” — And Rewired Her Entire Life

    Anna Gudmundson, CEO of Sensate, explores the intersection of technology, nervous system regulation, and human potential. From growing up in Northern Sweden with a deep curiosity for systems, to building a career in early-stage tech, Anna shares how she began to see her own behaviors as patterns—“bugs in her code”—that could be understood and improved. But everything changed when years of stress led to a complete breakdown in her health. What followed was a deep journey into functional medicine, meditation, breathwork, and nervous system awareness—ultimately reshaping how she lives, works, and leads. This conversation explores how to regulate your internal state in a chaotic world, why most people are operating far below their potential, and how combining ancient practices with modern technology may be the key to a more resilient future. Show Partners: Get your MENTAL FITNESS BLUEPRINT here! A special thanks to our mental fitness + sweat partner Sip SaunasPersonal Socrates: Better Question, Better Life Connect with Marc: https://konect.to/marcchampagne Timestamps: 01:00 — Growing up in Northern Sweden: math, music, and systems thinking 02:30 — “I saw bugs in my code” — the mindset that changed everything 04:00 — Early influences and discovering personal growth 05:00 — Finding Qigong and learning to balance internal energy 07:00 — Why “woo-woo” practices are becoming a competitive advantage 09:30 — When the nervous system became impossible to ignore 11:00 — The 10-day silent meditation that rewired everything 12:30 — The health breakdown: stress, gut issues, and missed diagnoses 14:00 — Functional medicine and rebuilding from the inside out 16:30 — The hardest part: accepting a new way of living 17:30 — Running a startup while protecting your nervous system 18:00 — Reframing challenges: growth vs punishment 19:30 — The non-negotiables: sleep, recovery, and self-awareness 21:00 — How to actually “check in” with yourself 22:00 — Meditation practices for different mental states 24:00 — Automatic journaling and accessing the subconscious 26:00 — Breathwork as a reset for mental overwhelm 28:00 — Inside alchemy breathwork and altered states 32:00 — Integrating logic, spirituality, and identity 34:00 — What Sensate is and how it works 36:00 — Why nervous system regulation matters more than ever 38:00 — The global stress crisis and what it’s costing us 40:00 — Meditation vs tools: what works when your mind is overloaded 42:00 — Building a “mental fitness system” for your life 44:00 — Bringing these practices into company culture 46:00 — Why startups aren’t for everyone (and that’s okay) 48:00 — Leadership, stress resilience, and the future of work 50:00 — The future of health: sound, frequency, and personalization 52:00 — Final reflections: embracing complexity and being “just weird enough” * Special props 👇 Music: Clouds - Joakim Karud See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    53 min
  2. The Sleep Doctor: Biggest Sleep Mistakes & How To Fix Them (Ft Dr. Michael Breus)

    MAR 29

    The Sleep Doctor: Biggest Sleep Mistakes & How To Fix Them (Ft Dr. Michael Breus)

    Sleep isn’t just rest—it’s the foundation of your memory, attention, emotional stability, and decision-making. In this conversation, Dr. Michael Breus, “The Sleep Doctor,” breaks down why sleep is the true currency behind mental fitness—and why most people are unknowingly operating at a massive disadvantage. From debunking popular trends like mouth taping and blue light blockers to explaining why the 5AM club doesn’t work for most people, this episode cuts through the noise and brings you back to what actually matters. You’ll walk away with simple, science-backed ways to improve your sleep, sharpen your thinking, and take back control of your energy. Make sure to take your Chronoquiz! Show Partners: Get your MENTAL FITNESS BLUEPRINT here! A special thanks to our mental fitness + sweat partner Sip SaunasPersonal Socrates: Better Question, Better Life Connect with Marc: https://konect.to/marcchampagne Timestamps: 00:00 — The question that opens every interview: “Who are you?” 01:30 — Dr. Breus on curiosity, education, and simplifying complex science 03:00 — Why sleep impacts every system in your body 04:30 — Memory, cognition, and the real cost of poor sleep  06:00 — “Sleep is the currency of attention” (core framework)  08:00 — Why most people misunderstand sleep deprivation 09:30 — The caffeine trap: masking exhaustion vs fixing it 12:00 — Mouth taping: benefits, risks, and why it can be dangerous 16:30 — Blue light blockers: what the data actually says 19:00 — The “Power Down Hour” and building a runway for sleep 21:00 — Techniques to quiet the mind (cognitive shuffling, 4-7-8 breathing) 25:00 — Why the 5AM Club doesn’t work for most people (chronotypes explained) 28:00 — Dreams, nightmares, and emotional processing 32:00 — The link between nightmares, PTSD, and sleep avoidance 36:00 — How dream therapy can help process trauma 40:00 — Why sleep deprivation destroys decision-making 43:00 — Final thoughts: why sleep is the foundation of everything * Special props 👇 Music: Clouds - Joakim Karud See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    44 min
  3. The 20% Most People Never Train, Until It’s Too Late (Ft Tucker "Cinco" Hamilton)

    MAR 22

    The 20% Most People Never Train, Until It’s Too Late (Ft Tucker "Cinco" Hamilton)

    What a conversation with Tucker "Cinco" Hamilton!" We go inside the mind of a fighter and test pilot who has faced life-or-death decisions in seconds. Where preparation isn’t optional, and hesitation has consequences. But this isn’t just about aviation. It’s about how we live. From growing up through family instability and loss, to becoming an “accidental” fighter pilot, to navigating high-stakes environments where clarity matters more than confidence—this episode explores what it really means to be prepared for life. Show Partners: Get your MENTAL FITNESS BLUEPRINT here! A special thanks to our mental fitness + sweat partner Sip SaunasPersonal Socrates: Better Question, Better Life Connect with Marc: https://konect.to/marcchampagne Timestamps: 00:00 — The question that opens every interview: “Who are you?” 01:00 — Identity beyond titles: father, husband, servant 02:30 — Young Tucker: leadership, service, and not chasing titles 04:30 — Childhood story: family separation and rebuilding 08:00 — Parents’ sacrifice and redefining “family” 10:30 — His father’s struggles, addiction, and passing at 21 13:00 — Why he started writing (lessons he never got to ask) 15:30 — Becoming an “accidental” fighter pilot 18:00 — Wanting to serve vs not wanting the military 20:00 — Almost quitting pilot training (and why he didn’t) 22:30 — The influence of his wife and trusting the right voice 25:00 — From pilot to test pilot: shaping the future 28:00 — What test pilots actually do (breaking down the role) 32:00 — The edge cases: testing what no one else will 35:00 — The cockpit story begins (F-15 scenario setup) 38:00 — The first problem: landing gear malfunction 42:00 — Low fuel + uncertainty + checklist chaos 46:00 — Final approach: blind landing from the back seat 50:00 — Impact moment: gear collapse and near disaster 53:00 — What actually saved them (decision timing + training) 56:00 — Mental performance under pressure 59:00 — Training the mind before the moment arrives 01:02:00 — Presence vs complacency in everyday life 01:05:00 — Preparation: physical, mental, social, spiritual 01:08:00 — The “last 20%” and why most people never reach it 01:12:00 — Discipline, purpose, and holistic performance 01:15:00 — AI, autonomy, and the risk to humanity 01:18:00 — Losing agency and becoming less human 01:22:00 — Why AI is bigger than people think (beyond chatbots) 01:26:00 — Warfare, drones, and removing humanity from decisions 01:30:00 — The need for conversation, not polarization 01:33:00 — Leadership, empathy, and perspective from Afghanistan 01:37:00 — Seeing humanity even in conflict * Special props 👇 Music: Clouds - Joakim Karud See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    55 min
  4. The 4% Rule That Could Change Your Health (Ft Noah Laith)

    MAR 15

    The 4% Rule That Could Change Your Health (Ft Noah Laith)

    What if the biggest breakthroughs in your health didn’t require more supplements, more routines, or more time… but simply focusing on the right 4%? Marc sits down with entrepreneur and longevity advocate Noah Laith to explore the mindset behind resilience, health, and long-term success. Noah shares the powerful story that reshaped how he interprets life’s challenges, explains why the real pandemic today is distraction, and reveals the simple thinking ritual that has helped him make better decisions in business and life. They also dive into Noah’s 4% rule for longevity — the idea that a small number of habits may deliver the majority of health benefits. This conversation explores meaning, focus, and the hidden frameworks that shape how we live, lead, and grow. Show Partners: Get your MENTAL FITNESS BLUEPRINT here! A special thanks to our mental fitness + sweat partner Sip SaunasPersonal Socrates: Better Question, Better Life Connect with Marc: https://konect.to/marcchampagne Timestamps: 00:00 — The question that opens every interview: “Who are you?” 01:30 — The four areas Noah reviews every year to guide his life 04:15 — The Thailand story that changed everything 06:40 — Becoming a “master of meaning” in life 09:00 — Why entrepreneurs bring their work home 10:10 — Learning pattern recognition from Tony Robbins 11:20 — The power of mentors and mental models 13:00 — Why knowledge is no longer power 14:15 — The modern epidemic of distraction 15:40 — The thinking ritual that prevents costly mistakes 18:20 — Why successful people prioritize thinking time 20:30 — How Noah entered the longevity space 23:10 — The 12-month focus strategy that changed his career 25:30 — The billionaire habit of doubling down 27:00 — Why digital real estate matters today 28:30 — The “4% rule” for improving health 31:20 — The biggest health threats of the modern world 34:00 — Why most people need a health mentor 36:20 — Choosing your struggle in life 38:40 — Lessons from traveling the world 41:00 — Balancing focus and diversification 43:00 — The future of health and raising resilient children * Special props 👇 Music: Clouds - Joakim Karud See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    45 min
  5. The Mind Control Skill No One Ever Teaches (Ft Geoff Blades)

    MAR 8

    The Mind Control Skill No One Ever Teaches (Ft Geoff Blades)

    Geoff Blades explains why most self-help advice fails, how automatic thought patterns dominate our lives, and why mastering your mind may be the single most important skill for the future. Show Partners: Get your MENTAL FITNESS BLUEPRINT here! A special thanks to our mental fitness + sweat partner Sip SaunasPersonal Socrates: Better Question, Better Life Connect with Marc: https://konect.to/marcchampagne Timestamps: 00:00 — The question that opens every interview: “Who are you?” 01:00 — Geoff’s early career at Goldman Sachs and the moment everything changed 03:00 — The question that started a 25-year journey: “Is this the life I truly want?” 05:30 — Why asking better questions can completely change your life 07:00 — The hidden architecture of the human mind 08:30 — Reading thousands of self-help books… and still not finding answers 10:30 — The problem with most personal development advice 13:00 — Why knowing what to do doesn’t mean you’ll actually do it 15:00 — Leaving Wall Street and searching for deeper answers 17:00 — The trap of “when I get there, then I’ll be happy” 19:00 — Discovering hypnosis, NLP, and deeper mental programming 20:30 — The shocking reality of 80,000 thoughts per day 22:00 — Pattern interrupts: the key to breaking automatic thinking 24:00 — Why obsession is necessary for real mental transformation 26:00 — The negativity bias and why the world feeds low-vibration thinking 28:30 — The three energy systems that drive performance 30:00 — Why your internal experience is separate from your external life 33:00 — Changing your energy to change your thoughts 35:00 — Physical, emotional, and spiritual energy explained 38:00 — The Ultimate Day system for managing energy and focus 41:00 — The three-step method for building a limitless mind 44:00 — Tools for interrupting negative thinking in real time 46:00 — “Stop. Wake up.” — the pattern interrupt that changes everything 47:30 — Designing environments that support mental clarity 48:30 — Why controlling your mind may be the ultimate human skill 50:00 — Final reflections on mastering the mind * Special props 👇 Music: Clouds - Joakim Karud See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    52 min
  6. First Book at 65. Thirteenth at 80. It’s Never Too Late to Become Who You Were Mean’t to Be (Ft Patricia Sands)

    MAR 1

    First Book at 65. Thirteenth at 80. It’s Never Too Late to Become Who You Were Mean’t to Be (Ft Patricia Sands)

    What if the most important chapter of your life hasn’t been written yet? In this rare in-person conversation, Patricia Sands opens up about grief, reinvention, aging, creativity, and the unexpected power of starting late. Patricia published her first novel at 65. Today, at 80, she has written 13 books — many set in France, a country she fell in love with at 21 while backpacking with friends. But before the novels, there was loss. Widowed at 43. Two sons. A life rewritten overnight. We explore how grief shaped her storytelling, why community saved her creative life, how AI unexpectedly helped her research historical fiction, and what it really means to write from intuition. This is a conversation about dignity, aging, reinvention, and why it’s never too late to become who you are. A special shout out to my co-host Valentin Randon. Show Partners: Get your MENTAL FITNESS BLUEPRINT here! A special thanks to our mental fitness + sweat partner Sip SaunasPersonal Socrates: Better Question, Better Life Connect with Marc: https://konect.to/marcchampagne Timestamps: 00:00 — Who Are You, Really? 03:00 — From Photography to Storytelling 05:00 — Sudden Loss 06:30 — Writing Her First Book at 65 08:00 — Dying With Dignity & Difficult Themes 12:00 — How Much of Her Is in Her Characters? 16:00 — The Power of the Writing Community 18:30 — Stephen King’s Advice That Freed Her 23:00 — Turning 80 & Questioning Herself 32:00 — The Invitation That Changed Everything 34:00 — Writing a Novel in Record Time 36:00 — Exploring AI for Historical Research 41:00 — Intuition vs. Structure in Writing 44:00 — France, Culture & Seduction 46:00 — The Origin of Her Love Affair with France 50:00 — The Real Reward of Writing 51:00 — Turning Novels into Real-Life Tours * Special props 👇 Music: Clouds - Joakim Karud See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    53 min
  7. 20 Years in the Military — And I Didn’t Know My Nervous System Was Broken (Ft Patrick Nardulli)

    FEB 22

    20 Years in the Military — And I Didn’t Know My Nervous System Was Broken (Ft Patrick Nardulli)

    Why is it that we train people to survive under pressure… but never teach them how to come home to themselves? After 20 years serving as a Navy Hospital Corpsman alongside Marines in some of the most demanding environments imaginable, Patrick Nardulli realized something profound: toughness wasn’t the same as resilience. In this episode, Patrick shares his journey from combat medicine to nervous system regulation — including the moment a heart rate variability monitor revealed he was “thriving” on the outside but dysregulated beneath the surface. We explore: The difference between heart rate and heart rate variabilityWhy high performers often live in chronic sympathetic overdriveHow breath becomes the bridge between mind and bodyThe role of coherence in leadership and relationshipsPractical tools to regulate your nervous system in real time Show Partners: Get your MENTAL FITNESS BLUEPRINT here! A special thanks to our mental fitness + sweat partner Sip SaunasPersonal Socrates: Better Question, Better Life Connect with Marc: https://konect.to/marcchampagne Timestamps: 02:00 — A guided coherence exercise to settle the nervous system 05:00 — Growing up in Chicago and the call to serve 07:00 — Combat deployments and the culture of toughness 11:00 — The moment he saw resilience breaking in others 14:00 — The HRV wake-up call: “I thought the device was broken” 18:00 — Why experiential learning beats PowerPoints 22:00 — Breath as the bridge between mind and body 29:00 — Heart rate vs. heart rate variability explained 31:00 — What coherence actually means 34:00 — Why most people never intentionally exhale 37:00 — Preparation, performance, recovery framework 40:00 — When his wife felt his nervous system shift 42:00 — Walking into the moonlight: a realignment moment 45:00 — Simple practices anyone can start today 46:00 — Final message: self-care is not selfish * Special props 👇 Music: Clouds - Joakim Karud See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    44 min
  8. Your Body Can Either Grow or Repair — Not Both, Here’s Why (Ft Renee Fitton)

    FEB 15

    Your Body Can Either Grow or Repair — Not Both, Here’s Why (Ft Renee Fitton)

    Why is it that we chase longevity like it’s a number, yet ignore the daily behaviors that are aging us from the inside out? Most of us think longevity is about adding years. But what if it’s really about removing what no longer serves you at the cellular level and at the identity level? Renee Fitton — registered dietitian, longevity specialist, and one of the leading voices in fasting-mimicking science (VP at Prolon) — breaks down the biology of renewal… and the psychology that quietly shapes our habits. Show Partners: Get your MENTAL FITNESS BLUEPRINT here! A special thanks to our mental fitness + sweat partner Sip SaunasPersonal Socrates: Better Question, Better Life Connect with Marc: https://konect.to/marcchampagne Timestamps: 00:00 — The question that opens every interview: “Who are you?” 03:00 — Perfectionism, ambition, and living in the imperfect 07:00 — Personality tests, self-work, and using tools like ChatGPT for reflection 11:00 — Preparing for the Hoffman Process: deep psychological self-work 15:00 — How to prepare your body for intense personal growth 16:00 — Alcohol, sleep, and energy management before a retreat 18:00 — Why plant-based nutrition supports repair and rejuvenation 21:00 — Growth mode vs repair mode: the biology behind it 23:00 — Autophagy explained: your body’s cellular vacuum cleaner 25:00 — What is the fasting mimicking diet? 29:00 — Why prolonged fasting (3+ days) activates deep repair 31:00 — The mental shifts that happen during fasting 33:00 — Behavior change, food psychology, and identity 34:00 — Type 2 diabetes study: self-initiated behavior transformation 37:00 — Why five days can change your long-term habits 39:00 — Why water-only fasting feels harder 41:00 — How often should you fast for longevity? 44:00 — Gratitude journaling as a daily mental fitness tool 46:00 — The power of daily movement for emotional regulation 47:00 — Renewal at the cellular and personal level * Special props 👇 Music: Clouds - Joakim Karud See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    48 min
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Unpacking the stories and mental fitness practices of people living at the top of their game personally and professionally.

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