Mental Fitness - the Gateway to Success

Mikal Nielsen
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Weekly

Providing business owners, leaders and entrepreneurs with the 3 INs: INsight, INspiration & INtentional Actions to grow yourself and better serve those around around you. Monologues and Dialogues addressing topics like leadership, productivity, time management, work-life balance and challenges like stress, conflict, mental health and much more.

  1. 1d ago

    Seek to Understand Before Being Understood - in Life & Leadership | 1-Year Anniversary

    Thank you for an incredible first year! 🎉 In this special 1-year anniversary episode, I celebrate you — our listeners — and share one of the most transformative principles I live by and teach as a coach: “Always seek to understand before seeking to be understood.” I dive deep into why this simple yet profound phrase is so powerful in both personal and professional life. From navigating challenging family conversations (where I find it hardest to apply) to its critical role in social interactions and the workplace, this mindset shifts everything. I also explore how it separates great leadership from mere management, and I connect it to my favorite coaching analogy: the GPS — you must first know your starting point before you can guide anyone effectively. Whether you’re a leader, parent, partner, or someone who wants to improve your relationships and communication, this episode will give you practical insights you can apply immediately. If this phrase or episode resonates with you, please share it with someone who needs to hear it. Thank you for being part of this journey — here’s to Year 2! If you want to explore this in a more personal way, email me at coach@mikal.nz.

    38 min

  2. Jun 24

    From Car Crashes to Crystal Clarity: Alan Lazaros on Aligned Success

    In this educational episode of Mental Fitness - The Gateway to Success, my guest, Alan Lazaros, opens up about the dramatic turning points that transformed his life and business. Alan shares the critical difference between his early success — which lacked deeper alignment — and the serious wake-up call that finally brought everything into focus. He reveals the three life-altering events that changed everything, including two major car accidents, as well as the pivotal moment he realized he was gifted — a realization that completely redefined how he approaches life and business. To wrap up, Alan delivers three practical gems everyone can apply immediately to elevate their own success: Habit TrackingWho Do You AdmireTaking The High RoadWhether you’re navigating setbacks, searching for alignment, or looking to level up your mindset and results, this conversation is filled with raw honesty, resilience, and actionable wisdom. Connect with Alan Lazaros: Facebook: www.facebook.com/alan.lazarosInstagram: @alazaros88LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/alanlazarosllcYouTube: @NextLevelUniversityWebsite: nextleveluniverse.comWant to be a guest on Mental Fitness - The Gateway to Success? Message Mikal Nielsen on PodMatch → podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/mentalfitness If you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe, and leave a review — it helps us bring more inspiring stories to you! New episode every week.

    45 min

  3. Jun 17

    F*ck the Shoulds: Break Free from Procrastination

    In this powerful episode of Mental Fitness - The Gateway to Success, we’re tackling the hidden force behind procrastination, stress, anxiety, and frustration: the Shoulds. You’ll discover: How “shoulds” quietly drain your energy and keep you stuckWhy they hide in plain sight (and how to spot them)The crucial difference between internal and external shouldsA simple, highly effective countermeasure that actually worksAnd most importantly — what Mental Fitness has to do with all of it (hint: everything). If you’ve been avoiding important tasks, feeling overwhelmed, pissed off, or anxious, there’s almost always a “should” at play. This episode will help you identify it, challenge it, and finally move from procrastination to productive action. Stop letting invisible rules run your life. It’s time to say F*ck the Shoulds. 🎧 Tune in now and start reclaiming your energy and momentum. If you want to explore this more deeply in your own life and business, email me at coach@mikal.nz

    38 min

  4. Jun 10

    From Threat of Jail Time to Global Red Light Empire: John Harper’s “Slow Up” Journey

    In this powerful and deeply honest episode of Mental Fitness – The Gateway to Success, Mikal Nielsen sits down with John Harper — founder of the international red light therapy company Lumaflex. John shares his remarkable journey from facing the threat of jail time, struggling with mental fitness, and battling a brain tumor… to becoming a calm, confident entrepreneur who built a thriving global business. Through his own physical struggles and healing process, he discovered the transformative power of red light therapy — which led him to create high-quality red light therapy devices now used around the world. This conversation is packed with raw insights on: Moving from mental chaos to calm confidenceTaking calculated risksThe critical importance of mental fitnessAnd the simple yet profound philosophy that changed everything: “Slow Up?”If you’re looking for inspiration, practical wisdom, and proof that it’s possible to turn your deepest struggles into your greatest success, this episode is a must-listen. Connect with John Harper & Lumaflex: Website: www.lumaflex.comInstagram: @johngrahamfitness & @lumaflexLinkedIn: John Graham HarperX: @LumaflexBodyProFacebook: John Graham Harper & LumaflexWant to be a guest on the show? Reach out to Mikal Nielsen on PodMatch: podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/mentalfitness

    59 min

  5. Jun 3

    Mental Fitness vs Physical Fitness: Who Wins?

    (Incredibly Results from 77,000+ Business Leaders) What is most important for business owners and leaders — Mental Fitness or Physical Fitness? I asked this question to over 77,000 business owners and leaders, and the results genuinely surprised me. In this episode, I reveal the clear winner, share the fascinating (and sometimes controversial) data behind it, and explain why the outcome left me both excited and frustrated. I also dive deeper into the powerful relationship between mental and physical fitness — why they’re not actually in competition, and how the best leaders approach both. Plus, I answer some of the most interesting questions that came up during the research. This episode references these two previous guest episodes: •  EP19 with Clayton •  EP37 with JD Tremblay If you’re a leader who wants to develop Mental Fitness in yourself or across your organization, check out my Positive Intelligence profile here. Interested in bringing Mental Fitness training into your team or company? Email me at coach@mikal.nz

    34 min

  6. May 27

    Brain Athletes: The New Leaders in Business | Arnold Beekes

    In this powerful episode, Dutch-born former COO and CEO Arnold Beekes shares his bold vision for the future of leadership: Brain Athletes. After decades at the top of multinational corporations managing up to 6,000 employees, Arnold walked away from traditional corporate life and the disillusionment of his home country, Holland. Now based in Paraguay, he’s on a mission to develop a new generation of leaders through his Better for All Leaders movement. Arnold opens up about his personal transformation — moving from outer-world success to true inner-world mastery — and introduces the concept of Brain Athletes: leaders who train their minds with the same discipline elite athletes train their bodies. Key Takeaways: How to shift your inner critic into your inner cheerleaderWhy helping others is essential for authentic leadershipThe power of staying curious in a fast-changing worldIf you’re a leader, entrepreneur, or someone who wants to perform at a higher level mentally and emotionally, this episode will inspire and equip you with practical wisdom. Connect with Arnold Beekes: Better for All Leaders → brainathletes.clubFree Brain Health Community → skool.com/brain-fitness-7070Twitter/X: @ArnoldBeekesLinkedIn: Arnold BeekesYouTube: @ArnoldBeekesInstagram: @arnold.beekes Mental Fitness: The Gateway To Success Podcast Subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode. Let us know in the comments: Are you ready to become a Brain Athlete? #Leadership #MentalFitness #BrainHealth #PersonalDevelopment #Entrepreneurship Want to be a guest on Mental Fitness - the Gateway to Success? Send Mikal Nielsen a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/mentalfitness

    49 min

  7. May 20

    Happy For No Reason: The Ultimate Human Desire

    Happy For No Reason: The Ultimate Human Desire In this powerful episode of Mental Fitness: The Gateway to Success, we explore one of humanity’s deepest drives — the pursuit of happiness. I reveal my core belief that happiness is not something we need to chase or earn — it is our natural state, our birthright, and the strongest hidden driver behind sustainable success. You’ll discover the surprising answer to this key question: What does happiness have to do with mental fitness? My answer? Everything… and nothing. I break down the powerful distinction between: •  Happiness for a reason (conditional, fragile, and temporary) •  Happiness for no reason (unconditional, resilient, and life-changing) This episode draws deep inspiration from Marci Shimoff’s transformative book Happy for No Reason and shows you how cultivating “happy for no reason” dramatically strengthens your mental fitness, clarity, and leadership presence. Whether you’re a business owner, leader, or anyone seeking more fulfillment, this conversation will challenge how you think about happiness and give you a new foundation for both personal joy and professional success

    37 min

  8. May 13

    No One Can Hurt You: Heartfelt Wisdom with Saw Myint

    In this heartfelt episode of Mental Fitness: The Gateway to Success, I sit down with Saw Myint — a Burmese-born mortgage broker now thriving in Sydney, Australia. Saw shares how she blends the Buddhist way with the fast-paced world of business, proving you don’t need to sit on a cushion to live mindfully. This conversation is packed with practical life wisdom and powerful gems, including: Why we unnecessarily hold on to past events — and how to finally let them goThe liberating truth that no one can hurt us psychologicallyThe profound power of having a genuine desire to help others Saw’s journey and insights offer a refreshing perspective on resilience, purpose, healing and success that goes beyond traditional self-help. Listen now for inspiration that will shift how you approach both life and business. To learn more about Saw Myint and her work: Facebook: One Stop Property Finance Email: sawmyint@onestoppropertyfinance.com.au If you’d like to explore meditation and its benefits for your personal and professional life, email me at: coach@mikal.nz

    33 min
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Providing business owners, leaders and entrepreneurs with the 3 INs: INsight, INspiration & INtentional Actions to grow yourself and better serve those around around you. Monologues and Dialogues addressing topics like leadership, productivity, time management, work-life balance and challenges like stress, conflict, mental health and much more.

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