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. 5d ago

    From stroke induced business life to wood turning with Chip Scholz

    A high flying business life with all the trimmings came to an abrupt stop for Chip Scholz. A stroke and having to relearn how to move, to speak and to read changed everything. In our podcast conversation, Chip shares how wood turning helped him recover and re-invent himself to health, writing books and becoming an executive coach. We talk about the role of mental fitness in it all and the importance of staying curious, present and patient. Chip also introduces us to the green character from the 1950s: Gumby and the term Semper Gumby which is about staying flexible in business. And here the books that Chip refers to: Being Wrong by Kathryn Schultz, From Strength to Strength by Arthur C Brooks The Second Mountain by David Brooks.   Check out Chip’s own books on Amazon: Every Dog Has Its Day  https://a.co/d/0huQdkPE Small Decisions, Big Shifts  https://a.co/d/06TwM9qt For more on Chip Scholz and to connect: FB: https://www.facebook.com/Chippturns LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chipscholz/ Website: https://www.scholzandassociates.com 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 #MentalFitness #PersonalGrowth #Freedom

  2. Aug 26

    How mental fitness helps with mental health issues

    In this episode of Mental Fitness - the Gateway to Success, we dive into where and how mental fitness relates to mental health. I share my personal view on the way the term ‘Mental Health' is used these days. And I share a very personal story of my biggest mental health issue - depression - and how I rid myself of it using mental fitness. I dive into the role the mind plays in mental health issues and why - to me - mental fitness is critically important in dealing with those issues. If you want to explore this in more depth with me, email me at coach@mikal.nz #MentalFitness #MentalHealth #PersonalGrowth

  3. Aug 19

    Corporate ‘kick ass’ to meditation teacher - Katharine Chestnut’s raw story

    In this episode, I sit down with Katharine Chestnut for the raw, reflective and inspiring story of her life, from corporate ‘kick ass’ to meditation facilitator via an abusive marriage, motherhood and burnout. Although this conversation with Katharine is of value to anyone, I feel it speaks in particular to women in business. Topics we cover: Regrets... putting them it right placeEmotions... using them for what they are made forMeditation Snacking... the way forwardMental Fitness... the key role it plays in both ups and downs  Check out Katharine's books and other valuable services she provides here: https://katharinechestnut.com/ Connect with her on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drumbabe/ Want to be a guest on Mental Fitness - the Gateway to Success? Send me a message on PodMatch here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/mentalfitness

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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/

  8. 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.

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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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