Mpowered Living with Ann Sheu

Ann Sheu
  • 4.9 (9)
  • Relationships
  • Updated Weekly

Welcome to Mpowered Living, the podcast that empowers high-achievers to lead a more fulfilling, purpose-driven life in both family and business. Each week, our expert guests, thought-provoking conversations, and actionable insights will equip you with the tools and knowledge you need to take charge of your life and create the future you’ve always dreamed of. Here’s to living empowered, intentional lives.

  1. 5d ago

    Ep 83 | The Hidden Burnout Signs High Achievers Miss with Dr. Romie Mushtaq

    You may still be performing at a high level, meeting deadlines, caring for your family, and keeping everything moving. But does that mean your brain is actually doing well? In Episode 83 of Mpowered Living, host Ann Sheu sits down with Dr. Romie Mushtaq, a brain doctor, researcher, chief wellness officer, and author of The Busy Brain Cure, to examine the less obvious ways chronic stress can show up in high achievers. Dr. Romie describes what she calls a “busy brain”—a state associated with chronic stress on the path toward burnout—and why symptoms like anxiety, difficulty focusing, disrupted sleep, brain fog, and growing irritability can be easy to normalize when you’re used to pushing through. Drawing from her research, her work with organizations, and her own experience with severe chronic stress, she and Ann explore what happens when the expectations placed on our brains keep increasing without a corresponding shift in how we care for ourselves. In this episode, they discuss: • How Dr. Romie defines a “busy brain” and the warning signs people often overlook • The difference between acute stress and the chronic stress many professionals live with • How digital distraction and constant device use can affect attention and sleep • Why Dr. Romie starts with a “brain score” before introducing new wellness habits • How leaders can practice empathetic listening without immediately trying to fix someone’s problem • Why listening to employees can uncover workplace issues that traditional surveys may miss Dr. Romie also introduces her 3-30-3 Brain Reset, explains why her approach adds habits gradually rather than all at once, and shares the personal health crisis that made this work deeply personal for her. This conversation is especially relevant for leaders, entrepreneurs, parents, and high performers who are functioning on the outside but finding it increasingly difficult to focus, unplug, sleep, or feel fully present. Connect with Dr. Romie Mushtaq: Website: https://drromie.com/ Busy Brain Test / Brain Score Assessment: https://drromie.com/busy-brain-test/ Book: https://drromie.com/book/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@DRROMIEMUSHTAQ TED Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slKAFdJ8ZHY

    Ep 83 | The Hidden Burnout Signs High Achievers Miss with Dr. Romie Mushtaq

  2. Sep 3

    Episode 82 | How Couples Stay Aligned Through Growth and Change with Wes & Meghan Hickman

    What happens when you and your spouse are both growing, but life is pulling each of you in different directions? In Episode 82 of Mpowered Living, Ann Sheu sits down with Meghan and Wes Hickman, who are coaches, EOS Implementers, facilitators, and partners in both life and work, for a candid conversation about building a marriage with intention. Over nearly two decades together, Meghan and Wes have experienced different seasons of professional growth, shifting responsibilities, changing priorities, and the inevitable pressure that comes when the people and commitments around you need more from you. Their conversation with Ann explores what it takes to keep coming back to the relationship through those changes rather than simply letting life dictate what happens next. In this episode, they discuss: • Navigating personal growth when partners evolve at different speeds • Creating shared values and goals that help a couple stay aligned • Recognizing when outside stress is influencing tension inside the relationship • Handling responsibilities at home without turning every request into a favor • Creating space for difficult conversations before frustration builds • Knowing when to engage in conflict, and when a little distance may improve the conversation The conversation is especially relevant for couples and high performers trying to build meaningful careers without giving the people closest to them whatever energy happens to be left over. If you’ve ever wondered how two ambitious people can continue becoming more of themselves while still building something together, this episode offers plenty to reflect on. Connect with Meghan & Wes Hickman Meghan Hickman: https://implementer.eosworldwide.com/meghan-hickman/ Wes Hickman: https://implementer.eosworldwide.com/wes-hickman/

    Episode 82 | How Couples Stay Aligned Through Growth and Change with Wes & Meghan Hickman

  3. Aug 21

    Episode 81 | The Breathwork Practice That Helps Leaders Stay Present with Shalin Desai

    What if becoming a better leader started with learning how to better manage your own internal state? In this episode of Mpowered Living, Ann Sheu sits down with breathwork and meditation teacher Shalin Desai to explore how greater awareness and simple breathing practices can help high performers manage stress and stay more present in the moments that matter. Drawing from his experience teaching leaders and organizations around the country, Shalin shares why calm and resilience can coexist with high performance—and why learning to lead yourself is an important part of effectively leading others. In this episode, they discuss: How breathwork can help interrupt automatic reactions and create space before respondingWhy resilience doesn’t mean continually pushing through until you burn outHow your internal state affects the way you lead at work and show up at homeWhat it actually means to be present with the people around youSimple ways to begin building a consistent meditation or breathwork practiceShalin also guides Ann through a breathwork exercise, giving listeners an opportunity to experience the practice alongside them. Whether you’re leading a team, raising a family, or simply trying to quiet the constant mental noise, this conversation offers a practical look at how slowing down and reconnecting with your breath can help you become more present in the life you’re already living. Connect with Shalin Desai Website: https://www.artofliving.org/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-art-of-living/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shalindesai/ Download Sattva Meditations and Mantra: https://www.sattva.life/

    Episode 81 | The Breathwork Practice That Helps Leaders Stay Present with Shalin Desai

  4. Aug 13

    Episode 80 | How to Stay Sharp Through Stillness with Jon Macaskill

    For high performers, slowing down can feel counterproductive. When your success has been built on drive, stillness may feel like the last thing that will help you perform at your best. In this episode of Mpowered Living, Ann Sheu sits down with former Navy SEAL Commander and mindfulness teacher Jon Macaskill to explore why the opposite may be true. Jon shares how his own struggles with anxiety, survivor’s guilt, and stress eventually led him to mindfulness, and why he now sees stillness as a tool for greater performance. In this episode, they discuss: Why mindfulness actually sharpens your edgeHow small practices like breathwork can help shift you from reacting to intentionally respondingWhy the energy you bring into a room affects your team and familyHow slowing down can improve productivity and decision-makingWhy awareness is the first step toward changing the way you show up at work and at homeIf you ever worry that creating more space will make you less productive, this conversation offers a different perspective: sometimes slowing down is exactly what allows you to perform—and live—at your best. Connect with Jon Macaskill Website: https://jonmacaskill.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonmacaskill/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@mentalkingmindfulness

    Episode 80 | How to Stay Sharp Through Stillness with Jon Macaskill

  5. Aug 6

    Episode 79 | How to Master the Space Between Reaction and Response with Chris Harris

    Every day, we're faced with moments that may test our patience. The question isn't whether those moments will come, but how we'll respond when they do. In this episode of Mpowered Living, Ann Sheu sits down with mindset expert, author, and speaker Chris Harris to explore what he calls the most important space we can learn to master: the space between a stimulus and our response. Together, they discuss how our reactions are shaped by fear, ego, identity, and past experiences, and how greater awareness can help us create lasting personal change. In this episode, they discuss: Why lasting transformation begins with becoming aware of your automatic reactionsThe difference between reacting and responding, and practical ways to strengthen that space by interrupting autopilot thinkingWhy gratitude and intentional reflection can change the trajectory of your lifeSimple practices for building healthier relationships through deeper listening and understandingWhether you're leading a team, raising a family, or simply trying to become the best version of yourself, this conversation offers practical wisdom for responding to life with greater intention instead of simply reacting to it. Connect with Chris Harris Website: https://chrisharrisllc.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-warrior-maker/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewarriormaker/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chrisharrisllc

    Episode 79 | How to Master the Space Between Reaction and Response with Chris Harris

  6. Jul 30

    Episode 78 | Health Optimization for the Long Game with Dr. Andrew Oteo & Dr. Brian Rich

    On Mpowered Living, we often talk about living life by design. But what's the point of building a meaningful life if you don't have the health and energy to enjoy it? In this special episode, Ann Sheu sits down with Dr. Andrew Oteo and Dr. Brian Rich for a practical conversation about longevity and the evolving world of regenerative medicine. Together, they explore why so many high performers struggle with fatigue, inflammation, brain fog, and burnout—and why investing in your health is one of the most important investments you can make. In this episode, they discuss: Why recovery is just as important as performanceHow stress, sleep, and cortisol shape your long-term healthWhat peptides actually are and how they support healthy lifestyle habitsHow to evaluate providers and lab work with wisdomThe future of longevity and regenerative medicineWhether you're looking for more energy or simply want to understand today's evolving health landscape, this conversation will help you think differently about the health needed to enjoy the life you're building. Connect with Dr. Andrew Oteo LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-oteo-10b81717/ Website: https://droteo.proadjuster360.com/contact/ Connect with Dr. Brian Rich LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bkrichmd/ Website: https://brianrichmd.com/

    Episode 78 | Health Optimization for the Long Game with Dr. Andrew Oteo & Dr. Brian Rich

  7. Jul 23

    Episode 77 | The One Conversation Every Marriage Needs with Sunny Sheu

    Every marriage has disagreements. The real difference is whether couples keep choosing each other through them. In this special episode of Mpowered Living, Ann sits down with her husband, Sunny Sheu, for an honest conversation about the principles that have helped them build a strong marriage and raise a family all while working together as business partners for more than two decades. They share the conversations and habits that have strengthened their relationship through both ordinary seasons and the more difficult ones. In this episode, they discuss: Why successful marriages learn how how to navigate conflict without building resentmentHow shared values, weekly check-ins, and a clear "North Star" help couples stay aligned through life's busiest seasonsWhy supporting each other's individual growth actually strengthens the relationshipPractical ways to navigate hard conversations and recurring disagreementsThe mindset shifts that have shaped their marriage, parenting, and definition of success over the last twenty yearsWhether you're newly married or decades into your relationship, this episode offers an honest look at what it takes to build a marriage that continues to grow over time. Connect with Sunny Sheu Website: https://www.mpoweredjourney.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sunnysheu/

    Episode 77 | The One Conversation Every Marriage Needs with Sunny Sheu

  8. Jul 16

    Episode 76 | The Lie About Talent That Keeps People Stuck with Danny Southwick

    Many of us grow up believing that success comes down to talent—that some people are naturally gifted while others simply aren't. But what if that belief is the very thing keeping us from reaching our potential? In this episode of Mpowered Living, Ann Sheu sits down with behavioral scientist, researcher, and former professional athlete Danny Southwick to unpack what decades of research actually say about talent and long-term performance. Together, they explore why growth is driven less by innate ability than by deliberate practice and how we respond to setbacks. In this episode, they discuss: Why the belief that talent is fixed can quietly limit your growth, and what research says actually predicts long-term successHow confidence, motivation, and resilience are built through action, not innate abilityPractical ways to foster a growth mindset in yourself, your children, and your teamHow to distinguish between healthy perseverance and holding on to the wrong goalWhy asking better questions can transform the way you growWhether you're leading a team, raising children, or simply trying to grow into your own potential, this episode offers a practical, research-backed framework for challenging limiting beliefs and building a mindset that supports lifelong growth. Connect with Danny Southwick Website: https://dannysouthwick.com/about/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danny-southwick-593271a4/

    Episode 76 | The Lie About Talent That Keeps People Stuck with Danny Southwick
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Welcome to Mpowered Living, the podcast that empowers high-achievers to lead a more fulfilling, purpose-driven life in both family and business. Each week, our expert guests, thought-provoking conversations, and actionable insights will equip you with the tools and knowledge you need to take charge of your life and create the future you’ve always dreamed of. Here’s to living empowered, intentional lives.

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