The Positive Persistence Podcast with Ian Bowen

Ian Bowen
  • 5.0 (17)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Weekly

Welcome to "Positive Persistence, with Ian Bowen," the podcast that will ignite your spirit and fuel your journey to greatness! I'm Ian Bowen, and I'm here to tell you stories of ordinary people who've conquered extraordinary challenges. If you're ready to unleash your potential and leave an indelible mark on the world, you're in the right place. Each week, we'll dive deep into tales of triumph that will inspire you to overcome your obstacles and reach new heights. But this isn't just a podcast – it's a movement. By joining our "Positive Persistence" family, you're taking the first step towards activating your highest potential and living the life you truly deserve. After each episode, don't keep this inspiration to yourself! Share the show with friends who need that extra push. Hit that subscribe button so you never miss a moment of motivation. Want more? Head over to thepositivepersistence.com and sign up for my weekly newsletter. You'll get access to my free RINSE playbook – your guide to crushing obstacles in life, business, and relationships. The conversation doesn't stop here. Follow me on Instagram @ianrbowen for more content and daily doses of motivation. Remember, your journey to greatness starts with a single step. Let "Positive Persistence" be that step. Together, we'll help you step into the next best version of yourself. Now, let's dive into today's incredible story of resilience over adversity!

  1. Jul 15

    Combat Brain Training with John Kennedy

    What if building resilience wasn't just about changing your mindset... but actually improving how your brain processes information? In this episode, Ian Bowen sits down with John Kennedy, founder of Kennedy Consulting Group and creator of the Combat Brain Training program. After spending two decades helping Fortune 500 companies solve complex operational problems, John shifted his focus toward helping military personnel improve decision-making under extreme pressure.  That journey led him to develop an approach centered on applied neuroplasticity, using targeted brain exercises to improve processing speed, adaptability, and resilience. John explains how the brain can be strengthened through intentional repetition, why awareness is the first step toward breaking destructive habits, and how anticipation helps us navigate adversity before it overwhelms us.  Together, Ian and John explore practical strategies for developing mental resilience, overcoming limiting beliefs, and preparing your brain to perform at its best—whether you're leading a business, raising a family, recovering from trauma, or simply trying to become a better version of yourself. In this episode, you’ll discover: 1. What applied neuroplasticity is and how it differs from traditional psychology. 2. Why improving brain processing can strengthen resilience and confidence. 3. How repetition shapes both helpful and harmful habits. 4. Why awareness is the first step toward lasting personal change. 5. How anticipation helps you prepare for setbacks before they happen. 6. Practical ways to build stronger thinking patterns in everyday life. 7. Real-world success stories from military personnel, athletes, and individuals with ADHD. 8. Why better brain performance can improve both emotional well-being and peak performance. Key Takeaways: 1. Your Brain Can Change: Neuroplasticity allows the brain to strengthen and rewire itself through repeated experiences and intentional practice. 2. Awareness Creates Choice: You can't change habits you don't recognize. Awareness opens the door to transformation. 3. Repetition Builds Identity: The thoughts and behaviors you practice consistently become your default patterns. 4. Preparation Reduces Stress: Anticipating obstacles helps you respond calmly instead of reacting emotionally. 5. Performance Starts in the Brain: Improving cognitive efficiency can positively impact confidence, resilience, learning, and decision-making. 6. Small Exercises Create Big Results: Consistent mental training compounds over time into meaningful personal growth. 7. Hope Is Built Through Action: Confidence grows when you experience evidence that change is possible. 8. Resilience Is Trainable: Mental toughness isn't something you're born with—it's a skill that can be developed. Timestamps: 00:00 – Meet John Kennedy and the origins of Combat Brain Training 01:24 – How a military challenge inspired a new approach to resilience 03:16 – Testing brain training with Marines facing trauma and loss 05:00 – Applied neuroplasticity vs. traditional psychology 07:46 – Understanding neuroplasticity and how the brain changes 10:23 – Why repetition creates lasting habits—for better or worse 11:34 – Success stories from Navy SEALs and individuals with ADHD 14:27 – Practical ways to strengthen your brain every day 16:50 – Why anticipation is a critical resilience skill 18:11 – Training your brain to anticipate challenges before they happen 20:00 – Ian's message on developing a performance mindset 21:05 – Preparing for setbacks while pursuing ambitious goals 23:42 – Breaking goals into manageable processes for better execution 27:34 – How engaging multiple parts of the brain accelerates learning 31:11 – Building self-belief through measurable progress 35:00 – Brain training for physical recovery and rehabilitation 39:06 – Where to learn more about John Kennedy and Combat Brain TrainingConnect with John Kennedy: Website: https://combatbraintraining.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kennedycg/ CONNECT WITH IAN BOWEN: Website: https://watchmemindset.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ianrbowen/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ianrbowen YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@PositivePersistence-ch8fk Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Combat Brain Training with John Kennedy

  2. Jul 8

    Silencing Your Self Doubt with Elaine Belson

    Elaine Belson joins Ian Bowen for a powerful conversation about breaking free from overthinking, silencing the inner critic, and learning to trust yourself. A licensed psychotherapist with more than 30 years of experience, Army veteran, and creator of the Self-Authority framework, Elaine explains why overthinking isn't the real problem—it's often a coping mechanism for deeper emotional discomfort. Together, Ian and Elaine explore the roots of self-doubt, fear of rejection, emotional overwhelm, and unhealthy people-pleasing. Elaine shares practical strategies for identifying emotions instead of suppressing them, setting healthy boundaries without guilt, and practicing mindfulness in a world filled with constant distractions. This episode is for anyone struggling with anxiety, perfectionism, overthinking, or feeling trapped by self-doubt—and ready to reclaim confidence by building genuine self-trust. In this episode, you’ll discover: 1. Why overthinking is actually an emotional coping strategy—not the real problem. 2. The six common forms of overthinking that quietly undermine confidence. 3. How fear of rejection and failure fuels self-doubt and second-guessing. 4. What "Self-Authority" means and how it transforms decision-making. 5. Why healthy boundaries benefit both you and the people around you. 6. Practical mindfulness techniques for reducing anxiety and emotional overload. 7. How unresolved childhood patterns continue shaping adult behavior. 7. Why learning to stay present is one of the greatest keys to happiness. Key Takeaways: 1. Overthinking Is a Symptom: It often masks emotions that need attention rather than intellectual solutions. 2. Emotions Carry Information: Feelings aren't problems to eliminate—they're signals guiding you toward unmet needs. 3. Self-Trust Can Be Built: Confidence grows when decisions come from your values instead of fear. 4. Boundaries Aren't Selfish: Protecting your well-being also encourages growth in your relationships. 5. Mindfulness Is Practice, Not Perfection: The goal isn't to stop thoughts, but to gently return your attention to the present. 6. Emotional Awareness Prevents Emotional Overload: Processing emotions regularly keeps them from building into overwhelming reactions. 7. Childhood Patterns Don't Have to Define You: Recognizing emotional habits creates opportunities for lasting change. 8. Presence Creates Peace: Life becomes richer when you're fully engaged in the moment instead of worrying about what's next. Timestamps: 00:00 – Welcome to the Positive Persistence Podcast with Ian Bowen 01:35 – Why overthinking affects so many people 02:17 – The six different types of overthinking 03:07 – Why overthinking is really emotional avoidance 04:03 – Understanding emotions as valuable information 05:17 – The roots of self-doubt and second-guessing 06:52 – Practical steps to interrupt fear-based thinking 07:40 – What Self-Authority actually means 08:18 – Setting boundaries without asking for permission 10:03 – The difference between self-care and selfishness 10:54 – The "Opposite of the Golden Rule" exercise 12:02 – Managing emotional overload before it becomes overwhelming 13:02 – The "Pitcher" analogy for accumulated emotions 14:24 – Mindfulness and grounding techniques for anxiety 15:23 – Why constant phone use disconnects us from ourselves 17:50 – Creating intentional quiet in everyday life 19:08 – Why mindfulness isn't about stopping your thoughts 20:40 – You can't fully experience life without being present 21:39 – Overcoming the "Sunday Scaries" mindset 22:31 – Recognizing childhood emotional patterns in adulthood 23:00 – Responding proactively instead of reacting emotionally Connect with Elaine Belson: Website: https://www.theselfauthoritycoach.com/ Podcast: https://www.theselfauthoritycoach.com/podcast YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSelfAuthorityPodcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elainebelsonlcsw/ CONNECT WITH IAN BOWEN: Website: https://watchmemindset.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ianrbowen/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ianrbowen YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@PositivePersistence-ch8fk Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Silencing Your Self Doubt with Elaine Belson

  3. Jul 1

    Life After Rock Bottom with Ezra Vancil

    Ezra Vancil joins Ian Bowen for a deeply honest conversation about addiction, identity, purpose, and the long road to personal restoration. A Texas singer-songwriter, entrepreneur, and speaker, Ezra shares how the collapse of his music career, struggles with alcoholism, mental health challenges, and multiple suicide attempts eventually led him to rebuild his life from the ground up. Rather than chasing external success, Ezra explains how recovery began with abandoning the story he had created about himself. Through community, daily intentional habits, self-reflection, and embracing uncertainty, he discovered that true purpose isn't found in achievement—it grows out of healing and helping others. This episode is for anyone battling addiction, struggling with shame or failure, searching for purpose after life's setbacks, or learning how to rewrite the story they tell themselves. In this episode, you’ll discover: 1. How identity can become trapped in unrealistic expectations and self-imposed stories. 2. Why addiction often masks deeper emotional pain rather than causing it. 3. The pivotal moment that led Ezra to choose life and begin recovery. 4. How community and shared experiences create hope during healing. 5. Why changing your environment is essential for lasting transformation. 6. The power of intentional daily routines in maintaining recovery and resilience. 7. How embracing uncertainty opens the door to purpose and personal growth. 8. Why your greatest struggles can eventually become your greatest contribution. Key Takeaways: 1. Your Story Is Not Your Identity: The narratives you create about yourself can be rewritten. 2. Recovery Happens One Day at a Time: Lasting transformation is built through consistent daily choices. 3. Community Accelerates Healing: Surrounding yourself with people who understand your journey creates hope and accountability. 4. Feed Your Mind Intentionally: What you consume mentally and emotionally shapes the direction of your life. 5. Growth Requires Uncertainty: Letting go of control creates space for new opportunities and purpose. 6. Pain Can Become Purpose: Your hardest experiences can equip you to help others facing similar struggles. 7. Daily Habits Build Resilience: Consistent reflection, inspiration, and self-care strengthen long-term transformation. 8. Restoration Is Greater Than Success: A meaningful life is measured by who you become, not simply what you achieve. Timestamps: 00:00 – Welcome to the Positive Persistence Podcast with Ian Bowen 00:50 – Ezra's background as a Texas singer-songwriter and entrepreneur 01:25 – The near-fatal experiences that changed his life 02:02 – Early success, record deals, and the beginning of addiction 03:30 – Losing his career, marriage, and sense of identity 04:00 – Felony DWI, rock bottom, and multiple suicide attempts 05:37 – The prayer that became the turning point toward recovery 06:43 – Choosing sobriety one day at a time 07:28 – Letting go of a self-constructed identity 08:14 – Rebuilding life through community and accountability 10:13 – Changing your environment to support healing 11:38 – Daily routines that sustain long-term recovery 13:13 – Breaking free from shame and unrealistic expectations 14:26 – Embracing uncertainty instead of control 15:20 – Finding purpose through life's hardest moments 17:08 – Why adversity can reveal your true calling 18:34 – Turning personal pain into service for others 19:30 – Discovering who you truly are through reflection and journaling 21:24 – Head and heart alignment as the foundation of resilience 22:20 – Why purpose evolves throughout different seasons of life 23:15 – Stepping outside your comfort zone to discover your future Connect with Ezra Vancil: Website: https://ezravancil.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/ezravancil Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ezravancilmusic/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ezravancil/ Bandcamp: https://ezravancil.bandcamp.com/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/53DBJZYKrYOYUGz0co8XLQ CONNECT WITH IAN BOWEN: Website: https://watchmemindset.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ianrbowen/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ianrbowen YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@PositivePersistence-ch8fk Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Life After Rock Bottom with Ezra Vancil

  4. Jun 24

    Belief Changes Everything with Sandra Lee

    Sandra Lee joins Ian Bowen for a fascinating conversation about the connection between belief, healing, purpose, and personal transformation. As a transformational coach, NLP Master Practitioner, intuitive sound healer, and human design expert, Sandra shares how people often become trapped by limitations they accept as permanent—and how changing their beliefs can unlock entirely new possibilities. Drawing from decades of experience helping people overcome brain injuries, chronic symptoms, emotional trauma, and self-imposed limitations, Sandra explains how our thoughts, emotions, and beliefs shape our physical and emotional realities. She shares powerful client stories, her own healing journey, and why symptoms may serve as messages rather than merely problems to eliminate. This episode is for anyone seeking deeper self-understanding, navigating adversity, healing from emotional wounds, or searching for greater meaning and purpose in life. In this episode, you’ll discover: 1. Why many people unknowingly define themselves by their limitations. 2. How beliefs influence healing, growth, and personal transformation. 3. The connection between emotional experiences and physical symptoms. 4. How understanding your body can help you reclaim personal power. 5. Why symptoms may be messages rather than problems to suppress. 6. The role of NLP and emotional healing in creating lasting change. 7. How human design can provide insight into purpose and self-acceptance. 8. Why authentic connection begins when we stop hiding who we are. Key Takeaways: 1. Belief Shapes Reality: What you believe is possible often determines the outcomes you experience. 2. Awareness Creates Freedom: Understanding the emotional roots of challenges gives you the power to change them. 3. Healing Requires Participation: The more you understand your body and mind, the more empowered you become in your healing journey. 4. Purpose Is Already Present: You don't need to discover purpose as much as recognize how you're already expressing it every day. 5. Self-Acceptance Unlocks Growth: Many traits we judge in ourselves can become our greatest strengths. 6. Trust Yourself: External opinions and predictions do not have to define your future. 7. Authenticity Creates Connection: Life becomes easier when you stop maintaining emotional barriers and allow yourself to be seen. 8. Small Acts Matter: Simple moments of kindness and genuine connection can have a profound impact on others. Timestamps: 00:00 – Welcome to the Positive Persistence Podcast with Ian Bowen 00:12 – Meet Sandra Lee: transformational coach, healer, NLP practitioner, and human design expert. 01:25 – What it means to be a "Life Opportunity Catalyst." 02:18 – Helping people move beyond limitations and reclaim possibility. 03:33 – Sandra's journey into healing, bodywork, and craniosacral therapy. 05:03 – How emotions and experiences become stored in the body. 06:08 – Working with migraines, brain injuries, and chronic symptoms. 07:01 – Why understanding your body creates empowerment. 08:48 – A powerful client story about overcoming chronic headaches. 09:48 – Why symptoms may be messages from the body. 12:29 – The role of expectations and self-fulfilling beliefs. 13:09 – Sandra's personal healing journey after trauma. 15:21 – The emotional breakthrough that changed everything. 16:02 – "Belief changes everything." 16:30 – Why you don't have to accept limiting predictions about your future. 18:06 – Introducing human design and purpose discovery. 19:08 – Turning self-judgment into self-understanding. 20:45 – How purpose amplifies thoughts, emotions, and intentions. 21:38 – Practical ways to discover your unique purpose. 24:03 – Understanding evolutionary purpose and contribution. 37:25 – The importance of feeling seen and understood. 39:00 – Living without emotional barriers or self-judgment. 40:13 – The "You Are a Miracle, You Are Loved" practice. 42:01 – Sandra's Body Symptoms Decoder and how to connect with her. Connect with Sandra Lee: Website: https://shinewithsandra.com/body YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@sandralee1miracleinspirations Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sandraleethrive Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/miracleinspirations/ CONNECT WITH IAN BOWEN: Website: https://watchmemindset.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ianrbowen/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ianrbowen YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@PositivePersistence-ch8fk Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Belief Changes Everything with Sandra Lee

  5. Jun 17

    You Can't Heal Beliefs You Haven't Noticed

    In this powerful solo episode, Ian Bowen explores one of the most overlooked barriers to personal growth: the limiting beliefs we don't even realize we're carrying. Using a childhood experience involving a disappointing math grade and a conversation with his father, Ian reveals how a single moment can create a story that shapes our decisions, confidence, and behavior for decades. For years, Ian believed he wasn't good at math, avoiding situations that challenged that belief and reinforcing a narrative that wasn't necessarily true. It wasn't until he identified where that belief originated that he was able to challenge it and begin changing it. Throughout the episode, Ian encourages listeners to examine the recurring stories they tell themselves—the thoughts that say they're not good enough, not qualified enough, or not capable enough to pursue their goals. He explains how these hidden beliefs often operate in the background of our lives, quietly influencing our choices while remaining largely unnoticed. Ian shares why awareness is the first step toward freedom and how identifying the source of negative thought patterns allows us to reclaim our power, rewrite our internal narratives, and move forward with confidence. His message is simple but profound: you cannot heal beliefs you haven't noticed. This episode is for anyone struggling with self-doubt, feeling stuck, or wondering why they continue to hold themselves back despite wanting more from life. In this episode, you’ll discover: 1. How childhood experiences can create lifelong limiting beliefs. 2. Why self-awareness is the foundation of personal growth. 3. The hidden ways negative thought patterns influence your decisions. 4. How fear is often rooted in stories you've accepted as truth. 5. Why identifying the source of self-doubt gives you power over it. 6. Practical questions to help uncover your own limiting beliefs. 7. How to replace old narratives with empowering new ones.   Key Takeaways: 1. Awareness Creates Freedom: You can't change what you don't recognize. 2. Limiting Beliefs Often Begin Early: Many of the stories we tell ourselves originated years or even decades ago. 3. Self-Doubt Is Frequently Learned: Not every negative belief is based on reality. 4. Recurring Thoughts Shape Behavior: The stories you repeat become the boundaries you live within. 5. Question the Evidence: Challenge beliefs that tell you you're not capable or worthy. 6. Your Past Doesn't Define Your Potential: Old experiences don't have to determine your future. 7. New Beliefs Create New Possibilities: Growth begins when you intentionally rewrite your internal narrative. 8. You Already Have What You Need: Confidence grows when you start trusting yourself again.   Timestamps: 00:00 – Welcome to the Positive Persistence Podcast 00:12 – Ian’s childhood story about a disappointing math grade 00:57 – How one conversation shaped years of self-doubt 01:23 – Why you can't heal beliefs you don't notice 01:54 – Hidden beliefs operating beneath the surface 02:25 – Understanding where limiting beliefs come from 02:52 – The negative thoughts that hold us back 03:21 – Fear, self-doubt, and stepping outside your comfort zone 03:43 – Identifying recurring stories you tell yourself 03:56 – Sponsor message: The RINSE Method 05:05 – Why limiting beliefs become background noise 05:28 – Recognizing self-sabotaging thought patterns 05:48 – Awareness as the path to freedom and growth 06:12 – Questioning the validity of your beliefs 06:28 – Releasing old baggage and reclaiming your power 06:43 – Your responsibility to become your best self 07:08 – You already have everything you need within you 07:22 – Tracing self-doubt back to its origin 07:39 – Creating new empowering beliefs 07:51 – Positive persistence and the "Watch Me" mindset 08:06 – Final encouragement and closing thoughts CONNECT WITH IAN BOWEN: Website: https://watchmemindset.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ianrbowen/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ianrbowen YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@PositivePersistence-ch8fk Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    You Can't Heal Beliefs You Haven't Noticed

  6. Jun 10

    Embrace the Suck: Finding Strength in Setbacks with Ian Bowen

    In this deeply personal solo episode, Ian Bowen shares one of the most defining chapters of his life and the lessons it taught him about resilience, identity, and starting over. After spinal cord surgery left him paralyzed from the chest down, Ian faced not only a devastating physical challenge but also a professional and emotional one. Once a manager leading a team and supporting his family, he suddenly found himself navigating a series of career setbacks, salary cuts, and a loss of direction. Rather than allowing adversity to define him, Ian learned a powerful truth: losing everything does not mean you've lost yourself. Throughout the episode, Ian explores the difference between grieving your circumstances and grieving your identity. He explains how many people become trapped by setbacks because they mistakenly believe their value is tied to their current situation. By learning to separate who you are from what has happened to you, you can begin the process of healing, reinvention, and personal growth. Ian also shares the mindset shift that helped transform him from a frustrated employee in a dead-end position into an entrepreneur, coach, speaker, and marathon runner. His message is clear: your setbacks may change your circumstances, but they do not change who you are at your core. This episode is for anyone who feels stuck, defeated, uncertain about the future, or disconnected from the person they once were. In this episode, you’ll discover: 1. Why losing your circumstances doesn't mean losing your identity. 2. The difference between grieving who you are and grieving what happened to you. 3. How acceptance becomes the first step toward reinvention. 4. Why setbacks often create opportunities for a fresh start. 5. How reconnecting with your strengths can accelerate recovery. 6. The mindset shift that helped Ian rebuild his life after paralysis.   Key Takeaways: 1. Your Identity Is Not Your Circumstances: What happens to you does not determine who you are. 2. Grieve the Situation, Not Yourself: Healing begins when you separate your identity from your setbacks. 3. Acceptance Creates Forward Movement: Reinvention starts when you accept reality and stop fighting the past. 4. You Are Not Broken: Adversity may challenge you, but it does not diminish your value or potential. 5. Every Setback Contains Opportunity: Difficult seasons can become the foundation for an entirely new path. 6. Remember Who You Were Before the Pain: Your strengths, talents, and gifts still exist beneath the struggle. 7. Stop Letting Life Happen to You: Reclaiming control starts with deciding what comes next. Embrace the Suck: Growth often requires enduring discomfort while building something better.   Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction 00:42 – Ian shares the life-changing impact of spinal cord surgery 01:30 – The professional setbacks that followed paralysis 02:11 – From management to an entry-level position 03:01 – What losing confidence and direction really feels like 03:35 – Why losing everything doesn't mean you've lost yourself 03:49 – Grieving your identity versus grieving your circumstances 04:21 – The responsibility to become your best self despite adversity 04:49 – Finding the person you were before the setback 06:18 – Reinvention begins with acceptance 06:43 – Learning to truly "embrace the suck." 07:36 – Feeling trapped in a dead-end situation 08:02 – The conversation that changed everything 08:25 – Hitting the reset button and starting fresh 08:55 – Discovering a new path through personal training and entrepreneurship 09:14 – Why you are not broken 09:57 – Finding your spark and blazing a new path forward CONNECT WITH IAN BOWEN: Website: https://watchmemindset.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ianrbowen/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ianrbowen YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@PositivePersistence-ch8fk Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Embrace the Suck: Finding Strength in Setbacks with Ian Bowen

  7. Jun 4

    Confidence Comes From Evidence with Ian Bowen

    In this powerful solo episode, Ian Bowen breaks down one of the most misunderstood concepts in personal development: confidence. Rather than viewing confidence as something you're born with or something that magically appears, Ian argues that true confidence is built through evidence—evidence created by taking action, overcoming challenges, and proving to yourself that you're capable of handling difficult situations. Ian explores how limiting beliefs, self-doubt, and the opinions of others often become barriers to personal growth. He explains why fear is frequently nothing more than "false evidence appearing real" and how allowing other people's perceptions to define your abilities can slowly erode self-confidence and self-trust. Throughout the episode, Ian challenges listeners to stop waiting until they feel confident and instead start creating confidence through action. By stepping outside your comfort zone, embracing failure as part of the process, and recognizing the evidence of past successes, you can begin rebuilding the belief that you are capable of achieving more than you think. This episode is for anyone struggling with self-doubt, battling limiting beliefs, or looking to develop genuine confidence that comes from within rather than external validation. In this episode, you’ll discover: 1. Why confidence is built through evidence, not feelings. 2. How self-doubt and limiting beliefs undermine self-confidence. 3. The danger of letting other people's opinions define your potential. 4. What "false evidence appearing real" really means. 5. Why broken self-trust is often the root cause of low confidence. 6. Why your past victories hold valuable evidence for future success. Key Takeaways: 1. Confidence Is Earned: Confidence grows when you repeatedly prove to yourself that you can handle challenges. 2. Fear Often Isn't Reality: Many fears are based on assumptions rather than facts. 3. Self-Trust Drives Self-Confidence: The more you keep promises to yourself, the stronger your confidence becomes. 4. Action Creates Evidence: Waiting to feel confident delays growth; taking action builds confidence. 5. Failure Is Part of the Process: Every setback provides lessons and proof that you can recover and move forward. 6. External Validation Has Limits: Sustainable confidence comes from within, not from the approval of others. 7. Your Past Successes Matter: Big wins and small wins both serve as evidence of your capabilities. 8. Growth Requires Discomfort: Confidence expands when you willingly step outside your comfort zone. Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction 01:42 – The impact of other people's perceptions on self-belief. 02:05 – Fear as "false evidence appearing real." 03:13 – Why avoiding hard things damages personal growth. 03:25 – Taking action to discover what's possible. 04:27 – Why confidence ultimately comes from within. 05:04 – Digging through limiting beliefs to find your potential. 05:22 – Replacing false evidence with real evidence. 05:44 – Remembering past victories during difficult seasons. 06:00 – Creating proof that you can overcome adversity. 06:08 – Final reminder: confidence is built one step at a time. CONNECT WITH IAN BOWEN: Website: https://watchmemindset.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ianrbowen/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ianrbowen YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@PositivePersistence-ch8fk Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Confidence Comes From Evidence with Ian Bowen

  8. May 26

    Make It Happen with Scott Lackey

    Scott Lackey joins Ian Bowen for a deeply honest conversation about resilience, identity, and what happens when life completely breaks the version of yourself you thought you were supposed to become. From serving in the US Army to building — and losing — a multimillion-dollar company, Scott shares the painful lessons that transformed his understanding of success, discipline, and fulfillment. He opens up about the devastating moment investors removed him from the very company he created after securing $3 million in funding, why “make it happen” became the guiding philosophy of his life, and the hard truth that no external achievement can ever fix an internal disconnect. Scott also unpacks the dangerous comfort of broken promises to yourself, the importance of rebuilding self-trust through tiny acts of discipline, and why true wholeness only comes when you stop chasing validation and start facing yourself honestly. This episode is essential for entrepreneurs, leaders, high achievers, and anyone navigating failure, burnout, or the feeling that they’re not where they’re supposed to be.   In this episode, you’ll discover: 1. How Scott’s military experience shaped his mindset around resilience and execution. 2. Why “make it happen” became the foundation for overcoming adversity. 3. The painful story of losing a company after raising millions in funding. 4. Why life is never about what happens to you, but how you respond to it. 5. The hidden danger of living through external validation and achievement. 6. How broken promises slowly destroy self-trust and confidence. 7. Why discipline begins with tiny commitments, not massive transformations. 8. The importance of looking inward to create meaningful outward change.   Key Takeaways: 1. Resilience Must Be Built Early: Discipline and resilience are tools you develop before life demands them from you. 2. Response Is Everything: Your life is shaped less by events and more by how you choose to respond to them. 3. External Success Is Empty Without Alignment: Money, titles, and accomplishments cannot replace inner fulfillment. 4. Self-Trust Is Earned Daily: Keeping small promises to yourself rebuilds confidence over time. 5. Comfort Can Be Dangerous: Many people stay “comfortable enough” while slowly abandoning who they truly are. 6. Discipline Starts with the Hard Things: Doing what you least want to do first strengthens your character. 7. Failure Can Become Fuel: Some of life’s hardest moments become the catalyst for profound transformation. 8. Love Creates Purpose: Deep connection and responsibility to others can carry you through impossible seasons.   Timestamps: 00:11 – Meet Scott Lackey: Army veteran, entrepreneur, inventor, and Ironman competitor. 01:24 – How military service shaped Scott’s approach to resilience and leadership. 02:08 – The meaning behind “make it happen.” 03:19 – Recovering from failures and learning through adversity. 05:02 – Why past wins sometimes lose their emotional power over time. 06:05 – The deeper motivation behind perseverance: family and love. 07:51 – Losing a company after raising $3 million in funding. 10:24 – “It’s never about the event. It’s about how you respond.” 11:17 – Why people fear change more than continuing pain. 12:48 – Building resilience before you actually need it. 13:16 – The shift from chasing external success to finding wholeness. 15:21 – “The more I sacrificed of myself, the more of myself I found.” 16:28 – Facing yourself honestly and breaking free from false identities. 18:05 – The hidden cost of comfort and avoiding hard truths. 19:34 – Rebuilding self-trust through discipline and small promises. 22:23 – Why doing hard things first changes your life. 23:16 – Scott explains the brutal reality of completing an Ironman.   Connect with Scott Lackey: Website: https://scottlackey.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottlackey1/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thescottlackey CONNECT WITH IAN BOWEN: Website: https://watchmemindset.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ianrbowen/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ianrbowen YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@PositivePersistence-ch8fk Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Make It Happen with Scott Lackey
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5
out of 5
17 Ratings

About

Welcome to "Positive Persistence, with Ian Bowen," the podcast that will ignite your spirit and fuel your journey to greatness! I'm Ian Bowen, and I'm here to tell you stories of ordinary people who've conquered extraordinary challenges. If you're ready to unleash your potential and leave an indelible mark on the world, you're in the right place. Each week, we'll dive deep into tales of triumph that will inspire you to overcome your obstacles and reach new heights. But this isn't just a podcast – it's a movement. By joining our "Positive Persistence" family, you're taking the first step towards activating your highest potential and living the life you truly deserve. After each episode, don't keep this inspiration to yourself! Share the show with friends who need that extra push. Hit that subscribe button so you never miss a moment of motivation. Want more? Head over to thepositivepersistence.com and sign up for my weekly newsletter. You'll get access to my free RINSE playbook – your guide to crushing obstacles in life, business, and relationships. The conversation doesn't stop here. Follow me on Instagram @ianrbowen for more content and daily doses of motivation. Remember, your journey to greatness starts with a single step. Let "Positive Persistence" be that step. Together, we'll help you step into the next best version of yourself. Now, let's dive into today's incredible story of resilience over adversity!

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