The Mindset and Self-Mastery Show

Nick McGowan
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Life is made up of moments and the decisions we make in those moments decide the course of our life. In this show, we unpack the moments and stories that have shaped us and the lives we lead toward self-mastery.

  1. How To Be Brave Every Day With Renee Zukin

    -3 J

    How To Be Brave Every Day With Renee Zukin

    “You do you, and do it the best way you can." In this episode, Nick speaks with Renee Zukin about her journey, the role of technology in creativity, and the challenges of adult friendships. They discuss the importance of embracing vulnerability, the tools for self-mastery, and the significance of celebrating small wins as well as finding small ways to be brave every day. What to listen for: Embracing vulnerability is essential for personal growth. Writing is a powerful tool for processing thoughts and emotions. Self-compassion is crucial in the journey of self-mastery. Celebrating small wins can motivate further progress. Bravery exists on a spectrum; every small step counts. Inner work is necessary for creating positive change in the world. “How can I show up for myself, my people in the microcosm of my world so that it becomes reflected and ripples out into the macrocosm?” Real change starts small. The way you show up in your daily life creates a wider impact. Self-awareness and intentional action create ripple effects far beyond what we can see. Community begins with how we treat ourselves and those closest to us. Global transformation often starts with personal alignment and integrity. “One of the reasons why life can be so hard is because we're so trained to ignore our innate signals.” We’ve learned to override our instincts and emotions to “fit in.” Ignoring your intuition leads to burnout, confusion, and disconnection. Our bodies and emotions often know the truth before our minds do. Relearning how to listen to yourself can make life flow more easily. Healing begins when you trust your inner signals instead of silencing them. About Renee Zukin Renee is an author, educator, coach, and mental health advocate doing the inner work to see outer change. She has more than 20 years of experience in education, writing, and entrepreneurship, and has studied multiple psychological and healing modalities that have sustained her and helped support her students and clients alike. She is passionate about cultivating a safe space for others to use the written word and organizational structures as tools for self-transformation and empowerment. Renee is also the author of the new book, Every Day, I'm Brave: Cultivating Resilience to Gain Freedom from Fear (Wonderwell Press, 2025). https://www.reneezukin.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/rzukin/ https://www.instagram.com/reneezukin/ https://www.amazon.com/Every-Day-Brave-Cultivating-Resilience/dp/1963827252 Resources: Interested in starting your own podcast or need help with one you already have? https://themindsetandselfmasteryshow.com/podcasting-services/ Thank you for listening! Please subscribe on iTunes and give us a 5-Star review! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-mindset-and-self-mastery-show/id1604262089 Listen to other episodes here: https://themindsetandselfmasteryshow.com/ Watch Clips and highlights: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk1tCM7KTe3hrq_-UAa6GHA Guest Inquiries right here: podcasts@themindsetandselfmasteryshow.com Your Friends at “The Mindset & Self-Mastery Show” Click Here To View The Episode Transcript Nick McGowan (00:01.464)Hello and welcome to the Mindset and Self Mastery Show. I'm your host Nick McGowan. Today on the show we have Renee Zukin. Renee, how you doing today? Renee Zukin (00:11.06)I'm doing fantastic, Nick, so excited to be here. Nick McGowan (00:14.188)Yeah, I'm excited too. I think it's going to be great. Why don't you get us started. Tell us what you do for a living and what's one thing most people don't know about you that's maybe a little odd or bizarre. Renee Zukin (00:22.478)Love this question. Well, I'm a writer. I'm an educator. Currently, I coach entrepreneurs in digital online marketing, which is a lot of fun. And one thing that most people don't know about me, I actually recorded an album back in 2011. Yes, yes. It was my first foray into songwriting and the band I had curated was called Collectible Boys. it started out as a poetry and essay writing project and it turned into an album. So, you you never know where the spirit's going to take you. Nick McGowan (01:08.408)Nice. Nick McGowan (01:15.02)Yeah, literally. that's cool. mean, as a musician, I've already told you, now I have loads of questions about what kind of music, where did you record, and how did you find the studio musicians, and what did you play, and what did you not play, and what is it all about, you know? So feel free to share any of that if you'd like. Renee Zukin (01:21.518)Mm-hmm. Renee Zukin (01:25.518)Yeah, yeah, it was a lot of fun. started out just really wanting to play music and I did need to get musicians to actually help me curate the music underneath because for me, I was writing lyrics and I had melodies and you know, I only have a few years of piano lessons as a kid under my belt. So I knew I needed the the heavy hitters to come in and help create it underneath. And I did, I collected some amazing local musicians who've played in multiple bands and knew what they were doing. And we played out for a couple of years and I was like, we need to record this. And we did it in one weekend. So it was definitely a whirlwind and a lot of fun. Nick McGowan (02:12.584)Thanks Nick McGowan (02:19.576)And I love that sort of stuff. And especially like people listen to albums or they'll listen to a new song that comes out. You might think like, this is great. And these people just keep putting these things out like any bands that put out new albums. It's like, but we have no idea the amount of time and effort and energy that every single one of them put into figuring out what do we do? How do we do it? And I think oftentimes people forget about the sometimes the fifth or sixth member of the band. producer and the one who's actually recording everything. And I said this to you before we started even recording this, that sometimes the answers that will come out of that initial question will kind of alter the way that the conversations go. And I think this may be one of those situations. Like as a musician, I've been having conversations with people recently that have been using AI and Renee Zukin (02:49.646)Right? Yeah. Renee Zukin (03:03.516)Yeah. Renee Zukin (03:11.266)Mmm. Nick McGowan (03:13.309)if you, somebody who has a few years of piano lessons from X amount of years ago, and you have ideas and some melodies and you go, well, I want the drums to sound like, whatever, like you just make noises. Like you can't really do that. guess, well, Timbaland made a whole career out of making noises and putting in the records, but that's one person. Renee Zukin (03:26.168)Right. Renee Zukin (03:30.478)Yeah Nick McGowan (03:36.329)I think it's interesting how there's technology that helps us with things but can also really hinder us. I have a good friend of mine who writes music constantly, plays acoustic, sings, and he can mess around on some other instruments, but his main thing is like first second position of acoustic, singer-songwriter type stuff, and using AI at times to help with a backing band. Like I can understand going that direction because the resource is there, but I Renee Zukin (03:41.784)Mm-hmm. Renee Zukin (04:05.666)Mm-hmm. Nick McGowan (04:06.184)I that also can hurt us from being creative and stretching those muscles and being more brave in the confusing things. Like you sit down on the piano and go, I'm f*****g fine, middle C, K, triad, you know, like instead of going, well, here, this is the thing I want. And as somebody who, like you didn't have AI in 2011. Renee Zukin (04:11.317)and Renee Zukin (04:17.704)Yeah. Renee Zukin (04:29.55)No I didn't. Nick McGowan (04:31.424)you had to find people to actually be musicians with you, work through that stuff, what are your thoughts, what are your feelings with that sort of stuff? Renee Zukin (04:35.458)Mm-hmm. This is great. I because I think it's similar to also to writing in general. Obviously we can use. Yeah. And I think what you're speaking to is this opportunity for our own creativity to allow us to learn and grow like when we get stuck. Okay. So I, you know, my skills and here I want to play around, but also the Nick McGowan (04:45.94)Yeah, big time. Renee Zukin (05:05.996)opportunity to connect with other people who do have those skills and have the conversations and get to really play and modify and modulate music and the piece in different ways. And I think actually you could even say this with all kinds of art. Like I am not like, I'm a firm believer that AI and its ability to help us create can save us a lot of time, save us a lot of energy. There's ways in which it's a great tool to have and there's ways in which we can teach it how to be a better AI partner. So I'm definitely all in and playing the game and I think that we also have to balance that out with our own boredom, our own limits. our ability to get creative, to connect with other people and have a, you know, more of a co-creation. So I'm definitely not an either or, but I certainly lean towards, you know, the authentic human experience can create something that a machine cannot. Nick McGowan (06:23.318)Sure. Well, so I think most of the people listening to this podcast are probably around our age. Like, I'm gonna say, looking specifically at the demographic numbers that I have, it's about 25 to 55, but it's heavier in the 35 to 45 range. I have conversations with people I haven't said to you. I like, I've got four or five friends at this point. That's about true that like I consistently have a relationship with and I work on those outside of my partner and you know, things like that. as we get older and that friend that I was talking to, he's like, well,

    41 min
  2. Heart Led Service And Transformation With TaShun Bowden-Lewis

    6 NOV.

    Heart Led Service And Transformation With TaShun Bowden-Lewis

    “I know who I am. I love who I am. I'm proud of who I am. And so, I'm not going to back down.” In this episode, Nick speaks with Tashun Bowden Lewis, a former public defender and current CEO of Bowden-Lewis Consulting Group. Tashun shares her journey from being a high school athlete to becoming the first black chief public defender in Connecticut and her transition into becoming a leadership and executive coach. What to listen for: Human connection is vital in understanding people’s stories Open communication is essential for overcoming biases Self-identity plays a crucial role in personal and professional growth Life's challenges can lead to unexpected opportunities Trusting oneself and having faith can guide through difficult times “If you are willing to listen to me and not just judge me based on what I look like or what you perceive my income to be, then we can move some mountains here.” True progress starts with listening, not judging Breaking bias opens doors to real collaboration Everyone has value beyond appearances or status Empathy can turn divides into opportunities for change When we lead with curiosity, collective impact becomes possible “People deserve dignity and to be treated with respect no matter what has gone on or where they come from.” Respect should never be conditional—it’s a basic human right Dignity fosters healing, growth, and connection Everyone carries a story that deserves compassion Treating others with respect reflects our own integrity True equality begins with how we see and treat one another daily About TaShun Bowden-Lewis TaShun is a criminal defense expert, esteemed speaker, coach, catalyst for change, and the CEO & Founder of The Bowden-Lewis Consulting Group, LLC. With almost 30 years dedicated to working in public defense, culminating in her historic 2022 appointment as the first Black Chief Public Defender for the State of Connecticut, she is an experienced transformative leader with the business acumen and community-focused mindset to deliver results through discipline, integrity, and perseverance. https://www.bowdenlewisgroup.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/tashun-bowden-lewis https://www.instagram.com/thebowdenlewisconsultinggroup/ Resources: Interested in starting your own podcast or need help with one you already have? https://themindsetandselfmasteryshow.com/podcasting-services/ Thank you for listening! Please subscribe on iTunes and give us a 5-Star review! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-mindset-and-self-mastery-show/id1604262089 Listen to other episodes here: https://themindsetandselfmasteryshow.com/ Watch Clips and highlights: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk1tCM7KTe3hrq_-UAa6GHA Guest Inquiries right here: podcasts@themindsetandselfmasteryshow.com Your Friends at “The Mindset & Self-Mastery Show” Click Here To View The Episode Transcript Nick McGowan (00:02.126)Hello and welcome to the Mindset and Self Mastery show. I'm your host Nick McGowan. Today on the show we have Tashun Bowden Lewis. Tashun, how you doing today? TaShun Bowden-Lewis (00:14.102)How are you, Nick? Nick McGowan (00:15.768)good. I'm excited for you to be here. I'm just going to get the cat out of the bag for you. This is your first podcast episode and I know you're going to do great and we've already talked. We've been working together for a little while now and I'm really, really excited to get into your background because even doing the initial work with you, I've researched your background. We and you and I have had conversations and there's a lot of stuff that we're to be able to get into that. Truthfully, I think some people would have a really hard time wrapping their head around and trying to move on from, from there. So why don't you get us started? Tell us what you do for a living and what's one thing most people don't know about you that's maybe a little odd or bizarre. TaShun Bowden-Lewis (00:53.356)Okay, so again, I'm Tishun Bowden-Lewis and I am currently the CEO and founder of the Bowden-Lewis Consulting Group. And so I do consulting, criminal defense consulting, as well as leadership development, work stop facilitation. I also am a coach. I'm a certified personal and executive coach as well too. And that's what I do these days. That's where I am. And I'm so grateful that it is thriving. Actually, this month, October, will be a year that I've been a business owner. And I'm so proud of myself. yes. Nick McGowan (01:29.131)as you should be. Now what's that one thing most people don't know about you that's a little odd or bizarre? TaShun Bowden-Lewis (01:33.837)Okay, well back in the day though I'm not that old right now but back in the day when I was in high school I played basketball among other sports and And so the coach had an actual play named after me it was called money. So whenever he held the money shot money That made the ball goes to Tishun and cause I always got it in. was that, that something that people, most people don't know about me. Let's say he to high school with me. About me that yeah, that money, money shot. That was Tishun. That was me. Nick McGowan (02:07.501)That's awesome. Yeah, most people don't get a shot named after them or a play specifically for them. Unless, like, obviously my brain goes to Kobe. Like, the amount of people that are around our ages that would try to throw something out in the trash and yell Kobe. I still do it at times. TaShun Bowden-Lewis (02:13.077)Yeah. TaShun Bowden-Lewis (02:19.244)Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. For sure. For sure. Yeah. Nick McGowan (02:27.435)That's pretty cool. you were in sports when you were in high school. I'm sure you were in sports before that and all. I was actually having a conversation with somebody yesterday where we talking about sports and like there are the four major sports here in the States and then there are fringe sports and other stuff. And in the conversation, the guy was saying he did whatever throughout high school. He was like field track or whatever and asked me, what did you play in high school? And I'd really thought about it in a while, but I stopped playing in high school because I didn't want to deal with the politics. Like I probably could have gotten into college playing baseball, but I didn't do it in high school because I didn't want to deal with the politics and all. But you, you went through all that. You had a shot named after you. So well done on that one. And then you actually got into politics. TaShun Bowden-Lewis (02:51.488)Mm-hmm. TaShun Bowden-Lewis (02:59.34)Ugh. TaShun Bowden-Lewis (03:08.212)Yeah. Thank you, thank you. Nick McGowan (03:14.399)So why don't you take us there? Like what was the transition from being a high school athlete into where you were most recently and then obviously into where you're at with your company? TaShun Bowden-Lewis (03:19.456)Mm-hmm. You TaShun Bowden-Lewis (03:28.136)Sure. So I always wanted to be a public defender. So when I was seven, I don't know if you remember there was a show on called Good Times back in the day and the baby son, Michael, talked about being an attorney, want to be an attorney. And so I talked to my mom about that. like, you know, what is an attorney really? And at seven, and then we talked about different kinds of attorneys and public defender, a person who assists those for criminal defense, Nick McGowan (03:39.094)Yeah. TaShun Bowden-Lewis (03:58.003)matters who are not able to afford to hire a private attorney. And I knew then at seven years old, that's what I wanted to do. So that was my path. And I was focused on that. And I was very blessed to be able to achieve that. So I started out in the late 90s as a per diem. I don't even know how much it was a day. In the public defender's office, I am in Connecticut. I moved up throughout the ranks. I was a public defender for almost 30 years. And so from a podium all the way up to in 2022, I became the first black chief public defender for the state of Connecticut. And of course, that's the pinnacle of my career. And so I was over the entire state, about 40 some odd offices, over 400 in… 30, 35 employees, includes attorneys, social workers, investigators, of course, support staff, clerical staff. And so it was, yeah, the pinnacle of my career. It was an amazing situation. And so that's how I really got into the whole political situation because of the position I was in. And, you know, it's eye-opening to be able to go in front of you know, the state at the Capitol and talk about criminal justice reform or talk about trying to get more funds or just whatever it may be to assist the citizens, the communities, the people that we service. And so it was a pleasure. It was different for me, writing legislation, talking with all the different legislators out there and doing it, you know. It was… Trial by fire, because I had never done it before, but it was an amazing experience. So that was, I became the Chief Public Defender in 2022 and I was terminated in 2024. So in 2024, in June of 2024, and then I started my business October of 2024 and here I am. Nick McGowan (06:10.315)I find it interesting how That all makes sense and I appreciate that. We can kind of consolidate almost decades pretty quickly. Like there's a lot of times even history is like, well in this history period of 700 years this happened. They're like, what? If you think about how long a day feels sometimes or how much stuff can happen over the course of a week, let's actually break that down a little bit because the fact that you knew you wanted to do something at seven and continued on with it is huge. I know people that wanted to be an astronaut. TaShun Bowden-Lewis (06:18.858)Yes. Yes. TaShun Bowden-Lewis (06:29.942)Yeah. Mm-hmm. Sure. Yes. Nick McGowan (06:4

    30 min
  3. How To Begin Your Human Optimization Journey With Wei Houng

    23 OCT.

    How To Begin Your Human Optimization Journey With Wei Houng

    "Just be the best human being you can be." In this episode, Nick speaks with Wei Houng about the importance of human connection, self-discovery, and the innovative technology behind human optimization. Wei shares his journey from a technical background to exploring the spiritual and esoteric realms, leading to the development of a patented assessment technology that helps individuals understand their unique nature. What to listen for: Human connection is essential for self-discovery and purpose Exploring both the scientific and spiritual aspects of life can lead to deeper understanding Objectivity is crucial in understanding oneself without bias Communication styles vary, and recognizing them can enhance relationships Real-life stories illustrate the impact of understanding one's unique nature Personal growth creates a ripple effect in the community Life's complexities are often human-made constructs Embracing one's uniqueness is vital for personal fulfillment The journey of self-discovery is ongoing and transformative “For a human being to perpetually live in survival mode is perpetually living a life through judgment and subjectivity.” Survival mode filters life through fear instead of truth Judgment becomes protection, not understanding Safety is the gateway to peace and clarity Subjectivity traps us in old stories and wounds Awareness breaks the cycle and restores freedom “Most of us haven't been given the opportunity to graduate from that subjective foundational understanding of self to define who we are.” Our first identity is shaped by others, not ourselves True growth means consciously redefining who we are Few are taught how to move beyond conditioning Awareness is the bridge from survival to authenticity Defining yourself is the ultimate act of empowerment About Wei Houng Wei is one of the co-founders of HumanOp Technologies, a company dedicated to disrupting the matrix that forces sameness and rewards burnout. After seeing countless high-performers operating out of rhythm with who they truly are, he's part of the team that is using the world's first physics-based technology to reveal a person's authentic nature. His mission is to help people stop 'efforting' their way through life and start flowing with it, so they can be filled with the energy, joy, and purpose they were designed for. Resources: Interested in starting your own podcast or need help with one you already have? https://themindsetandselfmasteryshow.com/podcasting-services/ Thank you for listening! Please subscribe on iTunes and give us a 5-Star review! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-mindset-and-self-mastery-show/id1604262089 Listen to other episodes here: https://themindsetandselfmasteryshow.com/ Watch Clips and highlights: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk1tCM7KTe3hrq_-UAa6GHA Guest Inquiries right here: podcasts@themindsetandselfmasteryshow.com Your Friends at “The Mindset & Self-Mastery Show” Click Here To View The Episode Transcript Nick McGowan (00:01.358)Hello and welcome to the Mindset Self Mastery Show. I'm your host, Nick McGowan. Today on the show we have Wei Houng. Wei, how you doing today? Wei Houng (00:12.321)really good especially after our pre-show warm-up. Nick McGowan (00:16.712)Absolutely. And there, I say this, I don't know, every so often on episodes and people will hear it, but you guys don't hear the stuff that happens before we hit record or anything. But legitimately, there are beautiful conversations that I've had where I go, we need to hit record, like all of this needs to be on here. And this was one of those like we've literally been talking for like 40 minutes at this point. Wei Houng (00:33.345)Why? Yeah. Yeah. Nick McGowan (00:40.992)So there's a lot of stuff that we're gonna be able to cover and a lot of stuff we're gonna get into. And one of the biggest reasons why I wanted to have you on is to be able to talk about the human connection within ourselves and how we relate to ourselves, how we figure out ourselves and how that ties into our purpose. We're gonna get into technology and all the other things that are in there, but why don't you kick us off? Why don't you tell us what you do for a living and what's one thing most people don't know about you that's maybe a little odd or bizarre? Wei Houng (01:05.985)Yeah, great question. I you know, I've been in this human optimization game we were just talking about now. I'm, you know, I used to say the same number year after year until somebody called me out on it and said, you've been saying that number for the last five years I've known you as like, do you never increase that number? I was like, Oh, you're right. And so I last when I checked last, I've been I've been at this human optimization game now for what 30, I think, over 31 years now. Nick McGowan (01:23.952)Wei Houng (01:33.929)And a lot of it was driven by what I dealt with, you know, as a kid in junior high feeling like a lot of kids, I think I was being bullied. didn't feel like I fit in. And so they got to a point where I thought there was something wrong with me. Right. The name I'm one of the co-founders of our company called human op technologies. Human op is short for human optimization. And we have a patented human assessment technology that is only patented because it's not based on psychology. Right. It's it's based on physics and math and science and that's how we were able to kind of get away with patenting. Well, not get away with, we did do it, patenting assessment technology. But before we get into that, there's one thing that really kind of helped facilitate this that a lot of people, well, some people know, but a lot of people don't know is that I spent a lot of years in the spiritual community to kind of truly explore. the esoteric side because I spent my background in computer science engineering. So I had a lifetime of just being on the technical left brain side of things, science and grounded methodologies and all this jazz. And so when I was trying to see all that was, all that is available in this world, I got deep into the, what people will say, the woo community, right? And there was one point where I, Nick McGowan (02:50.552)Mm-hmm. Wei Houng (02:55.553)you know, and there's nothing wrong with these teachers because they have a lot more faith and trust than I do. But it's not like I didn't, I was skeptical about things. I just have that kind of mind. I want to understand it. So in the case one day, if I want to teach this to somebody, I can have the confidence to understand the both the left, the right brain, every possible facet of how to help people embrace what I'm talking about. Right. And when it came to energy work and energy healing and hypnotherapy and all those different things, I would get to a point with every teacher and I've had many where I was asked so many questions about why does this work? How does this work? Why does this work? Until finally the last stage I said she was frustrated like my parents were and said, wait, it just is. Okay. It just is. And I say, then it just took me back to my traumas as a youth. It's like telling me to shut up. It just is. Okay. Why? Why? It just is. Okay. Fine. So at this point, Nick McGowan (03:44.024)Yeah. Wei Houng (03:51.371)done with college and everything. I have my UCLA alumni card. said, you know what, I'm going to go figure this out myself. And so I finally, I never knew how to use alumni card until then. was like, you mean I can go back to the UCLA engineering library and just hang out there. And it's like, well, yeah, you're alumni. was like, great. So I go in there and I think if you add up all the hours I was going back and forth, just looking into reopening the books on quantum physics, thermodynamics, the meaning of the universe instead for a school project, it was for my own personal understanding of why something that is so seemingly anti-science is really isn't anti-science. It's just another language to explain what science is also trying to explain, right? If you add up all the hours, I think it was like almost like a week. It's like I was there for like a straight week. If I went there 24 hours for a whole Nick McGowan (04:41.624)Nice. Wei Houng (04:43.969)what seven times 24, whatever that is, right? What does that does 168 hours or something like that. So and what I came out with was a deeper understanding, just simply on how to explain things like pranic prana, how does how does how does the directing of the energy work? And how does energy behave? You know, what happens when a human being dies? You know, what does What are we talking about when we say like, you know, a soul or whatever the case may be, you know, it's not like I don't believe in it. I just like to have multiple ways of explaining it to help serve a larger segment of humanity. And that's really what drives me to do is not to debunk anything, but to help more people understand the miracle of what happens every single day. and not deny us just because it's not part of our reality, deny us the potential of being able to embrace and accept more that can potentially augment our own personal lives. And so that's kind of a long way to say that. And that might be something like a lot of people don't know, just kind of how I hated school. And then I went back to school to use the school, but use it in the way I wanted to use it to help explain something in my life that nobody else was able to explain for me. And now when I go out and I… connect with people who are in the esoteric world. And I get asked to be on their podcast because they say, can you come on my podcast of Reiki healing and energy and explain what you just explained to me? Because I've never been able to do that. And this is exactly what the world needs to hear. was like, So yeah.

    44 min
  4. Exploring Human Design For Self-Mastery With Akary Busto

    9 OCT.

    Exploring Human Design For Self-Mastery With Akary Busto

    “At the core, we’re all human and we all belong.” In this episode, Nick speaks with Akary Busto, an emotional biohacker. They explore the concept of human design, its implications on personal growth, and the importance of understanding one's identity and cultural heritage. Akary shares insights on how human design can help individuals navigate their lives more authentically, emphasizing the significance of self-awareness and the challenges faced by different human design types. What to listen for: Human design is a multi-layered tool for understanding personal navigation in life Each human design type has unique challenges and ways of operating in the world Frustration is a key indicator for generators to pause and reassess Manifestors need to inform others to avoid misunderstandings Projectors require recognition and permission to share their insights Reflectors are deeply connected to their environment and can amplify energies around them Understanding human design can enhance relationships and workplace dynamics Self-mastery involves curiosity, experimentation, and a gradual approach to personal growth “Human design is a tool to learn what we’re here to do, how to navigate the world, and how to make decisions that work in our favor” Human design helps uncover your natural strengths and purpose It’s a roadmap for making decisions that align with your true self Understanding your design takes the pressure off trying to fit someone else’s mold It’s not about control, it’s about flow and using your energy wisely When you know your design, life feels less like trial and error and more like alignment “It starts with us—how we choose to model a different way of living gives permission to others” People learn more from what you do than what you say Living authentically inspires others to break free from their own conditioning Change spreads when one person sets the example first Your courage to live differently can spark someone else’s transformation Leadership isn’t about titles, it’s about modeling a life others feel safe to emulate About Akary Busto Akary is an Emotional Biohacker, certified HeartMath practitioner, and Human Design expert who empowers individuals to unlock their energetic blueprint and transform their lives. With a unique approach that combines nervous system regulation, trauma transformation, and energy alignment, Akary helps clients shift from feeling stuck and overwhelmed to radiant and resilient. https://uhkare.com/ https://www.instagram.com/uhkarebreathwork https://www.linkedin.com/in/uhkare/ Resources: Interested in starting your own podcast or need help with one you already have? https://themindsetandselfmasteryshow.com/podcasting-services/ Thank you for listening! Please subscribe on iTunes and give us a 5-Star review! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-mindset-and-self-mastery-show/id1604262089 Listen to other episodes here: https://themindsetandselfmasteryshow.com/ Watch Clips and highlights: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk1tCM7KTe3hrq_-UAa6GHA Guest Inquiries right here: podcasts@themindsetandselfmasteryshow.com Your Friends at “The Mindset & Self-Mastery Show” Click Here To View The Episode Transcript Nick McGowan (00:05.295)All right, three, two, hello and welcome to the Mindset and Self Mastery show. I'm your host, Nick McGowan. Today on the show we have Akari Busto. Akari, how you doing today? Akary Busto (00:16.833)doing great, how are you? Nick McGowan (00:18.414)I'm good. I'm excited. I think we're going have a great conversation. I always love being able to shoot the shit with people before we get started. Sometimes I can tell where I'm going to have to pull this thing along or others. like, I'm going to probably have to cap us at some point. So that might be this one. So why don't you get us started? Tell us what you do for a living and what's one thing most people don't know about you that's maybe a little odd or bizarre. Akary Busto (00:32.255)Yes. Akary Busto (00:39.959)Okay, so I call myself an emotional biohacker. I work with the nervous system using a lot of different tools, including what a lot of people are not familiar with, which is the HeartMath Institute out of Northern California. They've researched the heart for over 30 years and like Joe Dispenza uses a lot of the science that they've collected from there. And I use human design and I've created a framework that helps people just find their authenticity because a lot of times we're conditioned to have to be one way or the other and not having the opportunity to show up authentically brings us a lot of pain. Nick McGowan (01:21.422)Well folks, that's end of this episode. I mean, there's so much to that. That's one of the things, like even as we were talking, leading into this, like I want to be able to have real, authentic conversations. Like I said, do you feel free to curse if you want? I f*****g do. But the whole point to it is to be able to have these authentic conversations. And I do think there are a lot of things that really hold us back from that, that most times we don't know about. Like you and I talked about even the childhood stuff. Akary Busto (01:24.247)you Akary Busto (01:47.851)Yeah, well. Nick McGowan (01:48.439)human design, people don't understand the differences or how that can relate or how things that they don't even think about that are part of the subconscious are still affecting them, you know? Akary Busto (01:57.567)Yeah, it's the conditioning that we all have to go through the indoctrination just to begin with from our education, getting us to go to school at eight o'clock in the morning and clocking out at three just like a regular job. I mean, it's insane. Nick McGowan (02:11.787)Yeah, well, yeah, then we look at the systems of all this stuff. You're born into a system, a family system, an educational system. We think the system should work for us. Our parents told us that we should go to college and get jobs and do this. And now it's not the same life that our parents had. It's not the same life that their parents had. And we're trying to say this system should work for you, but it didn't really work for us. Now we're going to get further and further down that path. But before we do, I always like to be able to go back. What's that weird thing? Or what's bizarre thing that people don't know about you? Akary Busto (02:43.969)So here's the bizarre thing that people don't really know about me because what they see is not what they get. So I'm actually from Mexico City. I am Mexican with Korean heritage. My family migrated in the late 1800s, early 1900s from Seoul, Korea when they were still little villages. And they went to the Yucatan in Mexico. They have a Korean Mexican museum there. And then they were turned into indentured servants. So they pretty much replaced the workforce for the Mayan people that were being killed off by these haciendas, right? And they were in servitude for about 30 plus years until one of the Mexican presidents came in and just got rid of all of the haciendas. So I've been here in California for over 40 years. Nick McGowan (03:26.411)Hmm. Akary Busto (03:43.463)And I didn't know any English and I still was able to get through that system and create a pretty good opportunity for myself. And I'm bilingual. So I speak Spanish fluently. I read it, I write it. I have family all over Mexico and I look nothing like a Mexican. Nick McGowan (03:50.613)Hmm. Nick McGowan (04:04.845)Yeah, that is one of those things where it could be like two or three truths and a lie sort of thing, you know? Akary Busto (04:13.238)For sure. I always say, you know, we're loud, we're brown, and we're proud. Nick McGowan (04:18.957)That's pretty awesome. I can't help but think as you talk about that stuff and the journey to it all, there was a lot of generational trauma. There were a lot of crazy things that happened, a lot of things that were then passed down and a lot that you had to go through and even getting here, not knowing the language, learning the language, being bilingual, going through all the things that you've gone through. Akary Busto (04:21.942)You Nick McGowan (04:45.492)It makes me sad to think that there's somebody, or a group of fucking people, that are actively trying to kick people out of the country, where the country is actually made up of folks like you. Primarily. Akary Busto (04:56.95)Absolutely. mean, there's such a gold mine in our immigrant communities. It doesn't matter where you're coming from. It doesn't matter. We attract such amazing people and to not look at it as a gift makes me question not just your humanity, but your values. What are your core values when you stop identifying with humanity, right? It's not about race or Nick McGowan (05:18.923)Yeah. Akary Busto (05:25.598)or religion or beliefs. It's like at the core, we're all human. Like you don't get rid of all like Rottweilers or all Chihuahuas because they're annoying, right? I mean, they're all dogs. They all belong and we all belong. That's the end, like period. Like we all belong. Nick McGowan (05:30.175)Yeah. Nick McGowan (05:36.757)Yeah. Nick McGowan (05:47.466)Yeah, I'm sure we could go further down that path and I'm kind of restraining from it. Cause there's actually no, yeah, cause there's like, there's no race. There's no race. There's no actual race. There's just different pigments and things of that sort. And I also find it funny how like kick everybody out of the country. It's like, but this is how the country is made. And where the f**k did we come from? We're all just immigrants. Like, and you're hurting all these people that were killed a couple hundred years ago because you assholes brought in. Akary Busto (05:52.503)You're like

    38 min
  5. Finding Self-Mastery As An Entrepreneur With Eric Malka

    25 SEPT.

    Finding Self-Mastery As An Entrepreneur With Eric Malka

    "Trust the process." In this episode, Nick speaks with Eric Malka about his journey as an entrepreneur, discussing the importance of mindset, resilience, and personal growth. He emphasizes that success does not equate to happiness and that true fulfillment comes from within. Eric provides insights on how to navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship, the significance of long-term vision, and the necessity of maintaining wellness throughout the journey. What to listen for: Resilience and grit are necessary traits to have for entrepreneurship Success does not guarantee happiness; true fulfillment comes from within Mindset is crucial for overcoming obstacles and achieving goals Long-term vision is essential for success; short-term plans often fall short Trusting the process and being patient is key to navigating challenges Wellness, including physical and emotional health, is vital for success Learning from failures is part of the entrepreneurial journey Everyone has unique strengths; it's important to identify and leverage them “To be successful as an entrepreneur you have to be healthy physically, emotionally, and spiritually.” Success isn’t just about the hustle—your body, mind, and spirit fuel your business Physical health gives you the energy and stamina to keep showing up daily Emotional health keeps you resilient through setbacks and tough decisions Spiritual health helps you stay grounded and connected to your “why” “Everybody’s different and we all have our superpowers. It’s about identifying that innate gift you have and really honing in on it and leveraging that.” Comparison kills progress, your strength lies in what makes you unique Everyone has an innate talent or gift worth recognizing and nurturing Mastery comes from focus, so sharpen your gift instead of chasing everything Owning your uniqueness makes your work more impactful and fulfilling About Eric Malka Eric is an entrepreneur, brand builder, investor, and published author with more than 30 years’ experience in Luxury Consumer Goods. As co-founder and former CEO of The Art of Shaving, he is a pioneer of the luxury men’s grooming industry, leading the company from startup to international expansion. In 2009, The Art of Shaving was acquired by Gillette/Procter & Gamble – Eric was tapped by P&G to continue in his role as CEO through the end of 2010. In 2014, he established Strategic Brand Investments; a private equity fund specialized in helping early-stage entrepreneurs develop iconic brands and grow businesses. https://www.ericmalka.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-malka-9071529/ https://www.instagram.com/malkaeric/ Resources: Interested in starting your own podcast or need help with one you already have? Send Nick an email or schedule a time to discuss your podcast today! https://themindsetandselfmasteryshow.com/podcasting-services/ Thank you for listening! Please subscribe on iTunes and give us a 5-Star review! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-mindset-and-self-mastery-show/id1604262089 Listen to other episodes here: https://themindsetandselfmasteryshow.com/ Watch Clips and highlights: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk1tCM7KTe3hrq_-UAa6GHA Guest Inquiries right here: podcasts@themindsetandselfmasteryshow.com Your Friends at “The Mindset & Self-Mastery Show” Click Here To View The Episode Transcript Nick McGowan (00:15.66)Hello and welcome to the Mindset and Self Mastery Show. I'm your host Nick McGowan. Today on the show we have Eric Malka. Eric, how you doing today? Eric Malka (00:39.679)Good man, thanks for having me. Doing great. Nick McGowan (00:41.71)Absolutely, I'm excited for you here. I think we're gonna have a great conversation. We're already shooting the shit and having a good time with it, so it'll be fun. So why don't we get this kicked off? Why don't you tell us what you do for a living and what's one thing most people don't know about you that's maybe a little odd or bizarre? Eric Malka (00:56.341)Auto bizarre. So what do I do now is I'm an investor. I invest in early stage companies in the men's grooming and beauty category. I help founders achieve what I was lucky enough to achieve in my own career by building my company called the Art of Shaving, which I sold in 2009. So helping founders try to do the same thing. against the lots by the way. And something weird about me? Yeah, I was thinking about that. What's weird about me? That's a tough one, I'm kind of, you know, I'm not going to say I'm normal because nobody is normal, but I've lived, you know, I've lived in many different countries. I was born in North Africa, grew up in Canada. Nick McGowan (01:43.539)Hahaha Eric Malka (01:57.011)lived in New York City, Miami, I've lived in Puerto Rico, I speak three languages, you know, I've been around. Nick McGowan (02:06.391)Some of that's a bit abnormal, like not normal for people that just stay in a town or something. So I'm glad that you bring that up. That's something I talk to people about, like even right now, we're recording this and I'm in Montana. I currently live in New Mexico and my partner and I travel throughout the summers and all that. People listen, know about that stuff, but those that stay in their town and that are just kind of townies get stuck there and they just only see the things that they see. Eric Malka (02:31.028)Yep. Nick McGowan (02:34.259)And it's not like the 1800s anymore where like you're just in a town and you're stuck there and you can't really get out. Where now it's easier to get out, but I find that some people have a hard time just making that initial step to just move along. Like you told me that you got on a bus, ended up in New York, then also had a knife at your throat a number of months later. So like that's a fucking story right there, you know? Eric Malka (02:39.476)Yeah. Eric Malka (02:49.182)Yeah. Yeah. That's right. You know, I have friends that still live where we grew up, right? And their kids are going to the same school. And I don't look down on that. I think there's some beauty to it. It's just different strokes for different folks, right? I ran from that notion. I escape that reality, but for other people, that's a beautiful thing where there's roots, there's family, there's consistency. know, nothing wrong with that. It's just not my vibe. Nick McGowan (03:29.974)Yeah, I think about how some people get stuck in the system of a thing. You know, I grew up here, I went to school here, my family's here, all the systems are here that I'm used to. And sometimes it is totally a, this makes total sense and this is where I'm supposed to be. And that's a beautiful thing. There are people I see from high school that are like that, but not everyone. Yeah. Yeah. Eric Malka (03:41.705)Yeah. Eric Malka (03:46.505)That's right. That's right. mean, yeah, if that's what you want, and that's what you get, that's fine. But if you want something else, but you don't have the courage, because your mindset tells you that it's never going to happen, then I agree, that's a problem. Nick McGowan (04:00.16)Yeah. Man, think about it. If you never sat your ass on the Greyhound bus, what else wouldn't have happened? You know what I mean? Eric Malka (04:11.046)Yeah, I mean, you know, they say the first step is 90%. Right. So, listen, I didn't have courage. had, desperation. So, you know, I was desperate to get out of there, man, between the brutal weather and my family dynamics and my community. And, you know, I quit school, my parents. Nick McGowan (04:14.763)You Nick McGowan (04:23.34)Hmm. Eric Malka (04:37.06)My dad lost his job. My parents got divorced. My girlfriend broke up with me. I just wanted to get the hell out of that place. you know, that desperation is maybe stronger than having big balls, but you do need, you also need some courage to actually go through with the thought of desperation, right? Nick McGowan (04:46.016)Yeah. Nick McGowan (04:52.074)Hahaha Nick McGowan (04:56.522)Yeah. yeah, it's interesting how there's a catalyst to everything, you know, like the desperation was for you. I've had somebody on recently who talks specifically about courage and how a courageous moment changed everything for them. But it really takes us actually looking at that moment and not thinking like, well, well, that was a cool thing moving along in life, but actually expanding on it or breaking it apart a bit. you've gone from traveling around moving and all of that, but you also have had different companies. You help people with companies now and Eric Malka (05:21.694)Yeah. Nick McGowan (05:29.077)Truthfully, the reason why I wanted to have you on the show is because I know that the stories that I talk to different people about, you know, just having casual conversation when you actually get into deeper conversation with them, I like look for a two, three year period, all I wanted was death or like, I had no idea what was going on and I just tried to keep myself going and I thank God that I had therapy or whatever. Eric Malka (05:53.065)Yep. Nick McGowan (05:53.799)So I like to be able to find out what did that look like? Cause it's not a matter of like, cool, man, you're successful. You sold a, you sold a company cause you didn't just have the thought of it two days before and then go, f**k it, I'm going to sell this thing. like, what were some of those pivotal moments going through that you can look at that? Like those are changing moments. Eric Malka (06:02.899)Yeah. Eric Malka (06:07.23)No. Eric Malka (06:13.848)there were many, but well, I never wanted to kill myself or by any means. I never dealt with serious mental issue. I've had traumas, but they're relative to my own experience. I know some people had it much, much worse than I ever did. I

    29 min
  6. From Trauma To Triumph With Christina Russell

    11 SEPT.

    From Trauma To Triumph With Christina Russell

    "Everything starts with me… I didn't deserve what I got as a child, but it's now on me to figure out how to get out of that." In this episode, Nick speaks with speaks Christina Russell, founder of the RusMix brand, about her journey through personal and religious trauma, the importance of self-awareness, and the healing process. Christina shares her experiences with a past relationship that led to significant emotional turmoil and how it intertwined with her upbringing and faith. What to listen for: We don’t have to face healing from trauma alone Healing is a process that requires self-awareness and action Negative thoughts can be protective yet still need to be managed Community and connection play a vital role in the healing journey It's essential to have grace and kindness towards oneself during tough times The journey of self-discovery can be exhausting but is ultimately rewarding "I laid on the ground for days… but when I was open to receive it, the right help came at the right time." Real healing often begins the moment we drop resistance and allow ourselves to be supported Hitting bottom isn’t the end, It's often the beginning of something powerful Sometimes the help we need doesn’t arrive until we’re ready to actually receive it There are dark moments that feel endless, but they can lead to breakthrough if we stay open The right support doesn’t always require a fight; when you’re ready, it often meets you halfway "Name your negative thoughts. Tell them, 'You’re not needed right now.'" Naming the thought/feeling gives you power over it instead of letting it control you You can give your inner critic a name, it helps separate it from your true self Acknowledge your thoughts and set boundaries Most negative thoughts are just your brain trying to keep you safe You get to decide which thoughts get airtime and which ones get dismissed About Christina Russell Christina is a mindset and self-worth coach, founder of RusMix, and host of the podcast Breaking Curses with Excellence. She helps people break generational cycles, stop self-sabotaging, and step into their power through healing-centered coaching and faith-based mindset work. Her mission is to help people reclaim their worth and grow into the healthiest, most confident version of themselves—inside and out. https://TheRusmix.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/christina-russell-strong-21502621a https://www.instagram.com/rusmixcoaching https://www.patreon.com/RusMixExcellence Resources: Interested in starting your own podcast or need help with one you already have? Send Nick an email or schedule a time to discuss your podcast today! https://themindsetandselfmasteryshow.com/podcasting-services/ Thank you for listening! Please subscribe on iTunes and give us a 5-Star review! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-mindset-and-self-mastery-show/id1604262089 Listen to other episodes here: https://themindsetandselfmasteryshow.com/ Watch Clips and highlights: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk1tCM7KTe3hrq_-UAa6GHA Guest Inquiries right here: podcasts@themindsetandselfmasteryshow.com Your Friends at “The Mindset & Self-Mastery Show” Click Here To View The Episode Transcript Nick McGowan (00:00.11)All right, three, two, hello and welcome to the Mindset and Self Mastery Show. I'm your host, Nick McGowan. Today on the show we have Christina Russell. Christina, how you doing today? Christina Russell (00:11.423)I'm doing amazing, how about you? Nick McGowan (00:13.399)Good, good, I'm excited to have a conversation. I you've talked to my partner and you guys have become friends at this point. And I think you would sign up for the podcast, connect it with her. And you guys have connected a number of times since then and now you're on the show. So I'm excited with this conversation. I think it's gonna be great. Why don't you kick us off? Tell us what you do for a living and what's one thing most people don't know about you that's maybe a little odd or bizarre. Christina Russell (00:16.561)Yes, yes, absolutely. Christina Russell (00:26.817)Yes. Christina Russell (00:38.859)So, Christina, the founder of the Rust Mix brand, focused on empowering, healing, growth, motivation, anything positive. A little sass and fun in there as well. But I have a variety of things, right? So I'm multi-passionate when it comes to my brand. I have a podcast as well, books, et cetera, just to encourage people on their journey, either to start or continue going. So something odd or bizarre about me, I once fell for… Nick McGowan (01:08.558)Yeah. Christina Russell (01:18.741)A very good scam, but a Nigerian scam. And I was engaged to be married. Nick McGowan (01:27.725)to that prince that emailed you or to somebody else? Christina Russell (01:28.545)It wasn't a prince he didn't come off as a prince, but he definitely had his game up his sleeve Yeah, yeah, so that that that ended not so great obviously With him mirroring somebody there, right? Well, okay so it ended with finding out that he obviously had someone there and They were got married five months after we were supposed Nick McGowan (01:41.677)We can't just leave it at that. Christina Russell (01:56.831)Yeah, five months after we were supposed to get married. I found out about everything that was happening two months before our wedding date. Dresses were already paid for. I already had mine. My bridesmaid had theirs. My guys, I made it simple for them, you know, because he was supposed to come here. I had already been there multiple times, brought my mom, right, stayed with his mom. But yeah, so. I found out through a friend who was from there as well, that something doesn't seem right. Because I was telling him, he called me out of the blue, him and his wife had come visit, I tried to be very welcoming to them. This was all through church. And so he was like, this just doesn't seem right. This would be the happiest time of your lives and it's not going well. Let me talk to him. Nick McGowan (02:31.468)Hmm. Nick McGowan (02:43.948)Uh-huh. Christina Russell (02:54.047)And so he literally had the screenshots of him saying horrible things about me, the picture of the one that he married, like just all of it. So that was my odd and bizarre thing. Nick McGowan (03:05.727)Wow. Ahem. Well, that certainly answers that question then. And that sucks. I think there are different scams that people can fall for. I make the joke of like, what was the prince's name? Because that's kind of the old version of like, I'm this, yeah, I'm this prince. I have all this money. And for some dumb reason, I think you should get like billions of dollars. Send me some money and then I'll send you even more. Christina Russell (03:15.073)I'm out. there. Christina Russell (03:25.459)Usually it is a print, right? Christina Russell (03:33.344)So it would. It wasn't even he didn't he didn't present like that. He just presented like a regular guy but And we were part of the same religion, right? Which which is supposed to present Trust and loyalty and you know a confidence that you can have versus anybody else, right? So that's what kind of drew me in and It actually ties to some of my own trauma as to why I even fell for it in the first place. Nick McGowan (04:07.627)Wow. My brain is actively trying to figure out which direction do we go with this because not only that trauma that's there, but how did that tie into the religious system that you're a part of? Because once you're bought into something like that, there's an assumed trust. Christina Russell (04:13.099)Okay. Christina Russell (04:24.757)Yes. Yes. Nick McGowan (04:25.772)But there's also biases that people have. Like I was part of churches for, I don't know, a bit over a decade and played the lead guitar in bands for a decade at churches. And there were still times where like, I would see what people would say and then I would see what they would do. And then I would hear about the things that maybe they did with somebody else's wife or whatever else. And it's like… Christina Russell (04:42.239)Yes. Nick McGowan (04:48.075)We're all talking a good game, we're all just f*****g humans. instead of talking the game, why not just be real about this stuff instead of just… But there are things that go into that. So even tying in, like your trauma will compact and compound because then you go, all right, well this squished it down, but then this added to it made it even larger. And then the trust or whatever it is starts to just really deteriorate to the point where you can say, I don't want to do any of it. So… Christina Russell (04:48.256)Yes. Christina Russell (04:55.381)Yes. Christina Russell (05:01.025)There it is. Christina Russell (05:09.568)Yes. Nick McGowan (05:16.852)I'm sure there was a big ball of all of those things. Where do you want to start with that to be able to kind of unravel those pieces? And can you name what those pieces were that you were like, I can see how these all tied up. Christina Russell (05:27.841)So we can start with why I was drawn to him, right? As a child, my father was very charismatic. He drew a lot of attention. He was amazing at getting and appealing to people, right? But he was a monster at home. And his sole purpose at times was to tear down. So tear down my mom, tear down me. So… I heard a lot of negative things about myself as a child, right? And, you know, after me and my mom finally got away from him, it wasn't like suddenly this onset of outpouring of loving words and affirmations and building up happened, right? Because my family likes to roast and they like to joke and they like to tease and they like to tell you about yourself, right? So there was nothing to build up. And to be honest with you, the reason why

    39 min

  7. 28 AOÛT

    Trauma, Curiosity, Core Beliefs And Conscious Recovery With TJ Woodward

    "Curiosity invites us to go deeper." In this episode, Nick speaks with TJ Woodward to explore conscious recovery, healing from trauma, and the importance of self-awareness in personal growth. TJ shares his journey from childhood experiences to addiction and recovery, emphasizing the significance of understanding core beliefs and the role of curiosity in healing. What to listen for: Life is about returning to our true selves, not about attaining something Childhood experiences significantly shape our beliefs and behaviors Unresolved trauma, spiritual disconnection, and toxic shame are root causes of addiction Awareness is crucial for healing, but it can also be painful Curiosity can lead to deeper understanding and growth Making peace with the past is essential for overcoming core false beliefs The lens through which we view the world is shaped by our experiences Healing trauma requires acknowledging and caring for our wounds The unconscious mind often dictates our responses and behaviors “Can I be in that in the midst of it? I wanna honor the pain. I wanna honor the experience. I'm not gonna bypass and pretend like it's not happening. But in the midst of that, it's like, I'm wondering what wants to emerge. What else is possible for me?” Being present with pain is powerful, it’s not weakness, it’s deep self-awareness Honoring what you're going through creates space for real transformation Emotional bypassing might feel easier, but it blocks growth In every struggle, there’s potential for something new to be born Asking “what else is possible?” invites curiosity, healing, and forward movement “We can kind of change the past because the past is the narrative in our head and it's the energy associated with it.” The past isn’t fixed — it lives in the stories we tell ourselves Shifting our perspective can shift how we feel about what happened Healing is about rewriting the emotional charge, not denying the facts Your story is yours to evolve, and that’s real power Changing your relationship with the past changes who you become in the present About TJ Woodward TJ is a Revolutionary Recovery Expert, Inspirational Speaker, Educator, Addictions Treatment Specialist, host of The Element Q Podcast, and Best-Selling Author. TJ Woodward is the Head of Conscious Leadership at Reconstruction Unlimited, the Chief Wellness Officer at Monima Behavioral Health, and is a featured thought leader on WholeHearted.org along with Brené Brown, Marianne Williamson, Dr. Gabor Maté, and Mark Lundholm. https://www.tjwoodward.com/ https://www.instagram.com/tjwoodward_/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/tj-woodward/ Resources: Interested in starting your own podcast or need help with one you already have? Send Nick an email or schedule a time to discuss your podcast today! https://themindsetandselfmasteryshow.com/contact/ Thank you for listening! Please subscribe on iTunes and give us a 5-Star review! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-mindset-and-self-mastery-show/id1604262089 Listen to other episodes here: https://themindsetandselfmasteryshow.com/ Watch Clips and highlights: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk1tCM7KTe3hrq_-UAa6GHA Guest Inquiries right here: podcasts@themindsetandselfmasteryshow.com Your Friends at “The Mindset & Self-Mastery Show” Click To View The Episode Transcript Nick McGowan (00:01.051)Hello and welcome to the Mindset and Self-Mastery Show. I'm your host, Nick McGowan McGowan. Today on the show we have TJ Woodward. TJ, how are you doing today? TJ Woodward (00:11.266)Doing well, Nick. I'm so looking forward to this conversation. Nick McGowan (00:14.331)Likewise, I'm excited to get into all the things we're going to talk about. So why don't you just get us started? Tell us what you do for a living and what's one thing most people don't know about you that's maybe a little odd or bizarre. TJ Woodward (00:24.07)my gosh, or bizarre, I'll have to think about that for a moment. So I do a lot of different things. an author have written three books with a bunch of accompanying workbooks. I have the honor of really, I would say a spiritual teacher, but also work a lot in behavioral health. I've created a modality of treatment called conscious recovery that helps people get down to the root causes of their addiction instead of just treating symptoms. And also, not looking at themselves as broken. So if there's any through line with all of my work, it's that we actually come into the world as whole and complete beings and that life is about returning to that, not about attaining something. So whether it's my book, Conscious Being, Conscious Recovery, Conscious Creation, that's the through line. It's really, there is this place within us that's unharmable and unharmed. So that's kind of that. And I love to speak, I do podcasts, do a lot of different things, facilitate trainings, but… Nick McGowan (01:02.682)Hmm. TJ Woodward (01:18.97)My greatest passion is helping people do the deeper healing so they can remember who they really are. That's the bottom line. I don't know this is a bizarre thing, but very rarely do I talk about it. But when I was young, young, like from seven to 17, I sang in a very traditional men and boys choir and went and sang in England for the Archbishop of Canterbury and like sang at Westminster Abbey in St. Paul's. So like I had that experience of Nick McGowan (01:27.994)you TJ Woodward (01:47.01)being in this choir that was this very traditional, was very outside of like life in my family. There's a lot of layers there, but that's something I rarely tell anyone. Nick McGowan (01:53.656)Huh. Nick McGowan (01:56.984)That's interesting. It's always interesting to me to find out how people got into a thing, but also to find out things like that was probably 10 different versions of you ago. You know, like so many different things that just people don't think about or just, yeah, by the way, I forgot this whole thing happened. But how did you get into that if that was different than your family? Because my brain instantly went to, was that part of your family? Were you guys just going to church constantly or what have you? TJ Woodward (02:23.832)Well, it's interesting. My dad did sing in that choir as well. But the reason I say it was different than my family is it was kind of like this really a beautiful experience, honestly. Like a lot of people that I who I know have like some trauma around church or maybe they didn't resonate with it. But for me, like that was the happiest place I was. Like the vibe there was so great and singing really helped me come alive and home life wasn't quite like that. You know, there was a lot going on. So if anything. Nick McGowan (02:39.449)Yeah. Hmm. TJ Woodward (02:50.654)strangely enough, that experience was sort of like my escape from the difficulties at home. And that was the beginning of a long pattern of escaping from things. Nick McGowan (02:59.883)man, yeah. It's interesting because I've played in church bands. I played probably the better part of a decade playing lead guitar for different bands. And I used say to people like the reason why I was still staying at church was not because of like the surface level messaging but TJ Woodward (03:06.992)wow. Nick McGowan (03:18.457)because of the music and then I would feel God through that music and different things that open up and it's interesting how that stuff can pull you in but how there's also the different variations that people feel, the things that you get from it, the systems that you just envelop into. So how did that shape you to where you're at and what you're doing now? TJ Woodward (03:36.994)You know, it's fascinating because I reflect on that often because here I am doing spiritual work, but it's really not connected with religion. But I think it ties back to that because kind of like you, like I don't remember what the message was at that church really, but I do remember the feeling that I had, especially through the music, right? And again, this is very traditional music, like, you know, British music from the 16th century kind of music. So it wasn't exactly like a lot of contemporary music. Nick McGowan (03:44.121)Mm-hmm. TJ Woodward (04:05.08)But I think that was where I first had a passion for music and also realizing that spirituality wasn't really in the mind, it was in the body. It was an experience. And some of my most profound experiences in my early life were connecting through the music and the idea of God or the idea of spirit somehow. That's where I discovered it. So I think it really was in many ways the roots for me of what has made my life have more meaning. Nick McGowan (04:08.473)Hmm. Nick McGowan (04:32.033)Yeah, well the work that you're doing is incredible and I could tell even reading through some of this stuff, seeing some of the clips. You had a PR company that reached out to me. So it's not like you reached out directly. And I do have people reach out directly that I can tell there's like a heartfelt message, something that it's like, you totally just pulled this out of a can and you're blasting out to every other podcast. But one of the things I noticed about you is that there was a through line throughout everything that I saw that had to go back to actual healing, but at a deeper. TJ Woodward (04:49.698)Yeah. Nick McGowan (05:03.929)depth then a lot of people will kind of let themselves go to. There are often times where I talk about the different modalities and people kind of live at one like therapy, talk therapy. Whenever somebody's like well you have a problem go talk about it and at this point it's starting to get easier to open up to say that you talk to a therapist where even 10 years ago or 20 years ago nobody talked like that and certain circ

    33 min

  8. 14 AOÛT

    From Chaos To Clarity: Building Discipline One Step At A Time With Nick McGowan

    “Go directly to your subconscious and say: this is the thing I’m looking for” In this episode, Nick explores the concepts of self-mastery, discipline, and personal growth. He emphasizes that self-mastery is not a destination but a continuous journey, highlighting the importance of understanding that goals, habits, and disciplines can vary greatly from person to person. What to listen for: Self-mastery is a continuous journey, not a destination Goals and habits are unique to each individual Understanding the principles behind habits is crucial Finding what works for you is more important than following trends Small, consistent actions lead to significant changes Meditation and mindfulness can help reset the mind Self-awareness is key to personal growth It's okay to start small and build from there Listen to your own needs rather than external pressures Embrace the chaos and beauty of your journey “You don’t have to listen to what anybody else says. Listen to your heart, listen to your soul” Trust your inner guidance over outside noise External opinions aren’t always aligned with your truth You’re allowed to follow what feels right, not what’s popular Inner peace often comes from tuning into your soul’s voice “Your mindset and the journey that you work through with your mental health is your journey” Everyone’s path to healing is personal There’s no “right way” to grow mentally or emotionally Honor your pace and your process Comparing your journey to others only creates resistance You have the power to define what mental wellness means to you About Nick McGowan I’m Nick McGowan, entrepreneur, podcaster, and mental health advocate, and I've been on a 20+ year journey of personal development, learning to master my mindset, emotions, and the art of living with purpose. As a Mindset and Self-Mastery Mentor, I work with ambitious men and women who want to live their most authentic and joyous life, by helping them master their mindset, emotional awareness, and authentic communication. My mission is to empower people to lead lives that feel aligned, grounded, and truly their own. Throughout my career, I’ve built teams, streamlined systems, and improved client experiences across SaaS, media, marketing, and personal development spaces. Whether I’m leading cross-functional projects, optimizing SEO, Podcasting, designing strategies, or guiding clients through transformation, I bring a hands-on, solution-focused approach to everything I do. I’m also the host of The Mindset and Self-Mastery Show, where my guests and I unpack the stories that shape us, challenge us, and ultimately guide us back to who we are at our core. On this show, we uncover the secret gems others have discovered through trial, error, and breakthroughs so you can fast-track your growth, and master your mindset on your pursuit toward self-mastery. Check out the latest episode here. With years of podcasting and two decades of marketing experience, I’ve mastered the storytelling, interview flow, strategy, and technical production that elevate a podcast from "just content" to something truly impactful. Whether you're a leader looking to amplify your message, or a seasoned speaker and podcast host looking to sharpen your edge or even a beginner who is wondering how to share their message, I mentor thought leaders through every step of having the conversation they're here to have on this planet. So, what message are you here to share?! Resources: Interested in starting your own podcast or need help with one you already have? https://themindsetandselfmasteryshow.com/podcasting-services/ Thank you for listening! Please subscribe on iTunes and give us a 5-Star review! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-mindset-and-self-mastery-show/id1604262089 Listen to other episodes here: https://themindsetandselfmasteryshow.com/ Watch Clips and highlights: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk1tCM7KTe3hrq_-UAa6GHA Guest Inquiries right here: podcasts@themindsetandselfmasteryshow.com Your Friends at “The Mindset & Self-Mastery Show” Click To View The Episode Transcript Nick McGowan (00:01.272)There's a lot to be said about goals, discipline, and a lot of people have a lot to say about it. I understand that this show is the mindset and self mastery show, which in my mind, self mastery is just a heightened level of discipline. And I've heard from different people saying, know, self mastery isn't a destination. Like I totally get it. I don't think there's actually really any destinations. I think we're just continuously moving and doing things. But I want to talk about the discipline and the goals and habits and how all that stuff works. I'm sure you've read all the different books. You've listened to all the different things you've heard from all the different people. You've watched all the reels and Tik Toks and all this stuff about all these things. And there are great bits and pieces in all of it. And some of it may have spoke directly to you where you're like, this is exactly it. This is what I needed. Mr. Clear, you know, from the atomic habits or this is what I need, whatever it is. I want us all to understand selfishly that we are all different. And the reason why I say selfishly is because I would like for us all to understand that. You may not, somebody else may not, but I would really love for us all to be able to understand that goals, habits, disciplines, all of those things can look and probably do look vastly different for every single person. There are principles to each of these though. Like yes, it can take X amount of time to form a habit. Some will say seven days, some will say 14, some will say 30, some will say six months. I think that kind of goes along with if you practice the wrong things, you're never gonna get the right things. You gotta know what those right things are to be able to practice on. And I want to give a little bit of an example. I've talked about journaling different times. You probably even heard me talk kind of poorly about it in different episodes and interviews that I've had with people because I've tried that and that's not really my jam. However, I'm probably two or three days away from starting the artist way and writing out multiple pages per day and given that a shot and seeing Nick McGowan (02:28.746)if how I was doing something before wasn't actually aligned with me, but that the act of can help me. The principle underneath of it, of being able to write and be able to have from your brain to your hand and doing the act of makes total sense to me. I think of that almost like music too. I'll think about a thing, my hands will move and I'll play guitar. I'll think about a thing, my vocals will move and my vocal cords will move and I will sing a thing. There are principles in place for a reason and there are ways that these things work. How we do it and the flavor that we do for all of this is really up to us. Now, if you talk to somebody or rather hear somebody on some podcast or social media clip and they talk about, they do meditations for three hours a day and they do all these other things and you think, that's crazy. Maybe it is. Maybe it's not. To those people, it's clearly not. To the people that subscribe to that. clearly not. For you it might be a little different. So if that automatically comes up then you can think well why do I think that? Well I think of the amount of time or I think of this or whatever it is but at least you're on that journey thinking about it and you're trying to figure out for yourself what actually makes sense for you. Meditation for me has been a thing that I have really really worked on for years and years and years and I am not close to being able to meditate for hours at a clip. I don't know if that is really in the cards for me, but maybe it is. Maybe it's just not right now today, but down the road it may be. However, I do know that meditation and quieting my mind, helping me reset and be present with myself and with my creator, that actually really helps me. And I can think back to… A few years ago where I was trying to just do the thing and I was trying to meditate and my brain would just go all over the place and I thought, well, this is part of it. And in some ways it is, but some ways it was also, I wasn't actually rooted into it to be able to say, I'm going to do this thing and I'm just going to do it. However, it looks today is how it looks today and what it looks like tomorrow is kind of tomorrow's problem and taking the small steps with that. So. Nick McGowan (04:54.87)I've had different times of meditations where I've gone 20 minutes, 30 minutes. I had a few hour long ones and I'm surprised I didn't even fall asleep. But for the most part, the consistency and the habit of meditating at least once or twice a day for even just a few minutes has taken me a long time to be able to get to. And sometimes it doesn't happen all the time. There might be a few days or a week or a few weeks even where I don't because I've gotten myself out of the habit of it. Now I find that sometimes it can be really difficult if you're moving around a lot. We travel during the summers and… travel at different times and we live in a tiny home so sometimes space and the volume of things can be a lot. But being able to find what that looks like for you, what's that little space that you can take in that moment right then and there or something you can plan for that day, just that day though, not the next day or something I'm gonna do for 90 years. Just do the thing today and being able to start with that one thing. I use an app called Insight Timer that a friend of mine from years and years ago told me about literally when I was struggling. I was like, man, I'm trying to meditate using these di

    17 min
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Life is made up of moments and the decisions we make in those moments decide the course of our life. In this show, we unpack the moments and stories that have shaped us and the lives we lead toward self-mastery.

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