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. Aug 12

    Meditation Snacking: Grow Your Mental Fitness the Easy Way

    In this episode I share something I’ve had a lot of success with — both personally and as a coach: Meditation Snacking. I walk through my 30+ year meditation journey and the simple shift that changed everything for me. We explore: • What meditation really is • The essence and true purpose of it • Why most people believe it’s good for them… yet still don’t do it • How surprisingly easy and quick it can be Plus, as always, we look at how this ties directly into mental fitness — and why it delivers a powerful double benefit. If you’d like personal guidance with meditation snacking, get in touch: coach@mikal.nz

  2. Aug 5

    Near Death, Long COVID & 12 Books: Holly Porter on Mental Fitness, Purpose & Redefining Success

    In this inspiring episode of Mental Fitness – the Gateway to Success, I sit down with Holly Porter — serial entrepreneur, mum, author of 12 books, Long COVID survivor, and someone who has lived through a near-death experience. Holly shares how extreme adversity completely reshaped the way she lives and leads. We dig into: How to stay centered when life and business feel overwhelmingly busyThe quiet power of purpose (even when you don’t fully know what it is yet)A healthier, more sustainable definition of successWhere mental fitness fits into leadership, parenting, and building a meaningful lifeFinding inner peace, joy, and happiness — while also facing the hard, messy parts we usually avoid Holly is refreshingly honest about both the breakthroughs and the struggles. This conversation is packed with practical wisdom for anyone navigating high pressure, recovery, or the desire to build a life and business that actually feels good. 🔗 Holly’s latest passion project: https://internationalretreatassociation.com/ 📚 Her books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B06XC3LCFM 💼 Connect with Holly on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hollyporter Want to be a guest on Mental Fitness – the Gateway to Success? Message Mikal Nielsen on PodMatch: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/mentalfitness #MentalFitness #Leadership #Purpose #Entrepreneurship #NearDeathExperience #LongCOVID #PersonalGrowth

  3. Jul 29

    Turning the Five Dysfunctions of a Team into Strengths with Mental Fitness

    In this episode we dive into The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni and explore how a lack of mental fitness fuels every one of those dysfunctions. You’ll discover how growing mental fitness — in both the team and the team leader — transforms those same dysfunctions into powerful strengths that drive real success and the outcomes you actually want. This episode builds directly on Episode 50, where we explored the importance of building great team cultures. Missed it? Catch it here: https://youtu.be/-Sd1aNoGYRY The practical field guide I mention (packed with tools for working with the dysfunctions) is: Overcoming the Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni. Got specific questions or want to explore how this applies to your team? Email us at info@mikal.nz — we’d love to hear from you. #TeamCulture #MentalFitness #Leadership #FiveDysfunctions #PatrickLencioni #TeamPerformance

  4. Jul 22

    Becoming yourself, Steve Barton's journey to freedom and Mental Fitness

    As we head into the 2nd inning (year 2) of this podcast, we start with a very different and candid guest episode with Steve Barton. We get into the deeper stuff - the deeper essence of being a human being - while still operating in the world of running a business, being married and growing a family. Steve shares openly - and humourishly - about his journey of ups and downs, massively growing a business, discovering the F word and how that changed everything. And, of course, we relate all that to mental fitness and how it impacts outcomes. In our conversation, Steve guides me through a powerful process he calls “The GAME of TEN”. Here the steps: I am TenI'm doing the best that I can with the awareness I haveI'm always right with the awareness I haveI am enoughI do enoughI have enough Like most of my guests, Steve and I met on PodMatch, the dating app for podcasters and guests. If you - or someone you know - want to be a guest on this podcast, connect with me on PodMatch here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/mentalfitness To learn more about Steve Barton and access the book he wrote with his son, here the details: Book Link: https://www.amazon.com/Father-Son-Aha-Moment-Happiness/dp/B09QP3KDBK The Father The Son and The AHA Moment "Tools For Helping You and Your Child develop a path To Happiness." Website: www.stevebartoncoaching.com LInkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/service-marketplace/projects/15194679164/

  5. Jul 15

    Building Elite Team Cultures: Mental Fitness, Change & Leadership

    In this episode, I share a powerful real-world example from a conversation I had with a CEO just a few hours before recording — diving deep into what it actually takes to create and grow exceptional team cultures. We explore how mental fitness plays a crucial role across every stage of cultural change, whether you’re operating at a small scale or transforming a large organization. I break down the natural resistance to change that every leader faces and, more importantly, where to focus your energy to overcome it. Whether you lead a great team, a good one, an average one, or one that’s struggling — the fundamental key to improvement remains the same. This episode delivers practical insights you can apply immediately. If you’re a leader ready to elevate your team culture and want to explore this personally in your own context, email me at coach@mikal.nz and we’ll set up a conversation.

  6. Jul 8

    Lessons from the Diamond: Mental Fitness with Award-Winning Coach Tim Neiman

    From the baseball diamond to the stage and the mic, Tim Neiman has spent a lifetime mastering leadership, resilience, and mental toughness. In this episode of Mental Fitness - The Gateway to Success, I sit down with award-winning baseball coach, speaker, author and podcaster Tim Neiman to explore how the lessons learned on the field directly translate to mental fitness and success in life. We dive deep into: How not to talk to umpires (and why emotional control matters)Making tough decisions with playersThe evolution of maturing as a coach over decadesAn unexpected health scare that changed everythingConnecting all of it back to mental fitness and personal growth Tim also shares the inspiring story behind his own podcast, Straight Lines Podcast, and why staying aligned with your principles is everything. (I was honored to be a guest on his show just last week!) Whether you’re a coach, athlete, leader, or someone working on your own mental game, this conversation is packed with insights and wisdom to ponder and implement. Connect with Tim Neiman: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-neimanWebsite and Podcast: https://coachtimneiman.com/ 🎙️ Want to be a guest on Mental Fitness - The Gateway to Success? Message Mikal Nielsen on PodMatch: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/mentalfitness 👉 Watch Tim’s episode with Mikal on his Straight Lines Podcast here: https://youtu.be/1Ar0B1aERIs?si=WgBW-AQ14GdThSn3

  7. Jul 1

    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.

  8. 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.

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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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