What do blockbuster films like Independence Day, Star Trek, Transformers, and Die Hard have in common with modern engineering and software teams?

More than you think.

In this episode of the Champion Mindset Collective, host Anthony Dahya sits down with Steven Puri, former DreamWorks and 20th Century Fox executive and Founder of The Sukha Company, to unpack the behind-the-scenes lessons Hollywood has mastered about focus, flow state, and high-performance teamwork.

Steven shares what it really takes to deliver under extreme pressure, tight deadlines, and massive complexity, and how those same principles apply to engineers, developers, designers, and writers working today, especially in remote and hybrid environments.

The conversation dives deep into flow state, why it matters for creative and technical work, and how The Sukha Company helps remote professionals enter deep focus without burnout by combining structure, community, and intentional work rhythms.

From managing creative chaos on film sets to helping tech teams work in flow, this episode bridges film, technology, and human performance in a practical and relatable way.

If you’ve ever felt busy but not productive, distracted by constant notifications, or stuck in context switching, this conversation will change how you think about work.

Key Takeaways

• Why Hollywood film productions operate more like elite engineering teams than most people realise

• How blockbuster movies are delivered under pressure without destroying creativity

• The hidden cost of constant interruptions for developers and knowledge workers

• What film sets get right about focus, ownership, and deep work

• How flow states actually work and why they matter for engineers and creatives

• The real reasons burnout happens in both tech and film industries

• Why productivity should be healthy, not punishing

• How remote teams can recreate focus and accountability without micromanagement

• The power of working “together” even when you’re physically apart

• Simple mindset shifts that can dramatically improve focus and performance

Who This Episode Is For

• Engineers and software developers

• Tech leads and engineering managers

• Designers and writers

• Remote and hybrid workers

• Startup founders and product teams

• Anyone feeling distracted, burned out, or constantly “on”

Timestamps

• 00:00 Introduction and why Hollywood matters to engineers

• 03:10 Steven’s journey from film and TV to tech

• 07:45 What blockbuster movie sets teach about focus under pressure

• 12:30 Flow state and why it matters for engineers and creatives

• 18:20 Distractions, deep work, and why productivity is broken

• 24:10 Burnout in film and tech and how to prevent it

• 30:05 The Sukha Company and working in flow together

• 36:40 Practical focus habits engineers can use immediately

• 41:30 Final insights on healthy high performance and mindset

🌐 Connect with Steven:

• ➡️ LinkedIn Profile: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-puri/

• ➡️ Website: ⁠https://www.thesukha.co/

📢 Connect with Anthony Dahya:

• 🌐 Website – Champion Mindset Collective

• ➡️ LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonydahya/

• ➡️ Facebook – facebook.com/anthonydahya

• ➡️ Instagram – @anthony.dahya

• ➡️ YouTube – @anthonydahya

• ➡️ Spotify – Champion Mindset Collective

• ➡️ AI Workflows Agency – https://aiworkflows.agency

• 📧 Email – [email protected]

• 💬 Join the Conversation: Leave your thoughts or questions in the comments or message Anthony directly.

• Want to be a guest on Champion Mindset Collective?

• Send Anthony Dahya a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/championmindset

Yesterday Is History, Tomorrow Is a Mystery, Today Is a Gift - Why taking action today fuels innovation, creativity, and human progress in science, technology, and storytelling

In this episode of the Champion Mindset Collective Podcast, Anthony Dahya sits down with Swiss producer and director Yelena Ganshof van der Meersch to explore the mindset behind meaningful action, innovation, and human progress.

From growing up in Siberia to working in global finance and diplomacy, and ultimately creating award-winning scientific documentaries, Yelena’s journey is a powerful example of what happens when we stop waiting and start acting.

Together, we unpack the meaning behind the phrase “Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift” and how this philosophy applies to leadership, creativity, science communication, and building the future now.

This episode dives into why human creativity and hard work still matter in a technology-driven world, why scientists and engineers are often underappreciated, and how storytelling can bridge the gap between innovation and public trust.

If you care about mindset, innovation, science, leadership, and taking action in the present moment, this conversation is for you.

👤 Guest Bio
Yelena Ganshof van der Meersch is a Swiss producer and director passionate about science, innovation, and human creativity. She is best known for her documentary The Messenger: A Story of mRNA, which achieved record viewership on Swiss national television and features two Nobel Prize winners from 2023. The film is distributed globally through TV5 Monde and Alexander Street.
Building on its success, Yelena launched The Messenger Impact Campaign to foster public trust in science through screenings and expert panels across Europe and North America. Before filmmaking, she worked in investment banking in Singapore and served as a lead economist at the US Embassy in Moscow, blending analytical depth with creative storytelling to connect science and society.

⏱️ Timestamps

• 00:00 – Introduction and why today matters
• 02:15 – Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery
• 05:10 – Taking action now versus waiting for the right time
• 09:20 – Human creativity, hard work, and innovation
• 13:45 – Why scientists and engineers go unnoticed
• 18:30 – Storytelling as a bridge between science and society
• 23:40 – Film-making, impact, and shaping the future
• 28:10 – Final reflections and key takeaway

🔑 Key Topics Covered

• Living and leading in the present moment
• Why action today matters more than perfect plans
• Human creativity and hard work in the age of AI
• The underappreciated role of scientists and engineers
• Storytelling as a bridge between science and society
• Film-making as a tool for trust, education, and impact

🎯 Who This Episode Is For

• Leaders navigating change and uncertainty
• Entrepreneurs and creators stuck in planning mode
• Innovators in science, technology, and AI
• Anyone who wants to stop waiting and start acting
• Listeners interested in mindset, purpose, and impact

#ChampionMindset, #MindsetMatters, #TakeActionToday, #InnovationMindset, #HumanCreativity, #LeadershipGrowth, #LiveInThePresent, #ScienceAndSociety

🌐 Connect with Yelena:

• ➡️ LinkedIn Profile: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/yelenaganshof/
• ➡️ Website: https://insidetomorrow.media/

📢 Connect with Anthony Dahya:

• 🌐 Website – Champion Mindset Collective
• ➡️ LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonydahya/
• ➡️ Facebook – facebook.com/anthonydahya
• ➡️ Instagram – @anthony.dahya
• ➡️ YouTube – @anthonydahya
• ➡️ Spotify – Champion Mindset Collective

• ➡️ AI Workflows Agency – https://aiworkflows.agency
• 📧 Email – [email protected]
• 💬 Join the Conversation: Leave your thoughts or questions in the comments or message Anthony directly.
• Want to be a guest on Champion Mindset Collective?
• Send Anthony Dahya a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/championmindset

Most businesses believe they have a sales problem.
In reality, they often have a clarity, structure, or leadership problem.

In this episode of the Champion Mindset Collective, Anthony Dahya sits down with Sean P Shannon, a sales and revenue leader with over 30 years of experience building market-leading teams and brands across iHeart, Audacy, and Cumulus Media.

Sean shares why most businesses misunderstand what their customers are actually buying, how broken compensation plans quietly sabotage sales performance, and why diagnosing the real problem always comes before offering solutions.

You will hear real-world insights from Sean’s journey as a Senior Vice President of Sales and Market President, including how he built iconic brands like Q99.7 and 99X, and what small and medium businesses can learn from those experiences today.

This is a practical, no-fluff conversation for founders, sales leaders, and business owners who want smarter sales strategy, stronger teams, and better results.

🔑 Key Highlights

• Why most businesses think they have a sales problem when it is really a system problem
• How sales compensation plans drive behaviour, often the wrong behaviour
• The importance of understanding true purchase motivation
• Why diagnosing before prescribing changes everything
• The Vikings and Farmers story and what it reveals about sales culture
• How leadership decisions shape sales performance over time
• What high-performing sales teams do differently in tight markets

💡 Key Takeaways

• Sales problems are rarely solved by tactics alone
• Customers are not buying what most businesses think they are selling
• A misaligned comp plan will quietly destroy even great sales teams
• Culture and structure matter more than pressure and incentives
• Strong sales leadership starts with asking better questions
• There is no failure if learning is applied forward
• Clarity beats complexity every time in sales strategy

⏱️ Timestamps

• 00:00 – Why most businesses misdiagnose sales problems
• 04:20 – Sean’s journey through 30+ years in sales leadership
• 09:30 – Diagnosing before prescribing in sales and marketing
• 14:45 – Cost of sale rising while revenue stalls
• 20:10 – Understanding real customer purchase motivation
• 27:40 – Vikings vs Farmers and sales culture explained
• 35:15 – Sales comp plans and unintended consequences
• 43:00 – What leaders must fix first in their sales system
• 50:20 – Champion Mindset lessons from decades in sales

Tags: sales strategy explained
sales leadership podcast
how to fix sales problems, why sales teams fail
sales compensation plan mistakes, revenue growth for business owners
b2b sales leadership, small business sales strategy
sales culture and leadership, champion mindset podcast, sales leadership, sales strategy, b2b sales, revenue growth, sales compensation, sales culture, marketing strategy, small business growth, leadership development, champion mindset, business podcast, entrepreneur podcast, sales management

🌐 Connect with Sean:

• ➡️ LinkedIn Profile: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-p-shannon/
• ➡️ Website: ⁠Sales Exceleration-Sean Shannon

📢 Connect with Anthony Dahya:

• 🌐 Website – Champion Mindset Collective
• ➡️ LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonydahya/
• ➡️ Facebook – facebook.com/anthonydahya
• ➡️ Instagram – @anthony.dahya
• ➡️ YouTube – @anthonydahya
• ➡️ Spotify – Champion Mindset Collective

• ➡️ AI Workflows Agency – https://aiworkflows.agency
• 📧 Email – [email protected]
• 💬 Join the Conversation: Leave your thoughts or questions in the comments or message Anthony directly.
• Want to be a guest on Champion Mindset Collective?
• Send Anthony Dahya a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/championmindset

Digital Wellbeing, Screen Time & Family Balance

In this episode of the Champion Mindset Collective Podcast, host Anthony Dahya sits down with Dr Sajita Setia, physician, researcher, and digital wellbeing expert, to unpack how families can raise resilient, balanced kids in today’s hyper-connected world.

Dr Sajita shares evidence-based insights on digital wellbeing, screen time, social media, and the real impact technology has on children’s mental health, sleep, confidence, and behaviour. Rather than fear-based parenting or banning devices, this conversation focuses on practical, compassionate strategies that help families create healthier tech habits together.

You’ll learn why most screen rules fail, how algorithms are designed to hook developing brains, and what parents can do right now to build resilience, emotional intelligence, and real-world connection at home.

This episode is essential listening for parents, educators, and anyone supporting young people growing up online.

Key Topics Covered

• Digital wellbeing and family balance

• Why screen rules fail and what works instead

• Raising resilient kids in a connected world

• Social media, comparison, and self-esteem

• Neuroscience, dopamine loops, and developing brains

• Practical tools families can start using this week

Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction and why digital wellbeing matters now
03:40 – Why restriction fails and replacement works
08:55 – Notification cleansing and family tech habits
14:10 – Screen rules vs screen understanding
19:30 – Social media, comparison, and self-esteem
24:50 – Building real-world resilience and connection
30:15 – Screen sunset, sleep, and behaviour
35:40 – Empowerment over punishment
41:10 – Final reflections and practical takeaways

Key Takeaways

• Digital wellbeing is about replacement, not restriction

• Kids respond better when boundaries are framed as protection, not punishment

• Algorithms are designed to exploit dopamine loops, not a lack of discipline

• Face-to-face connection is essential for resilience and mental health

• Intrinsic values like kindness and gratitude reduce unhealthy comparison

• Small changes consistently applied matter more than perfection

• Parents modelling healthy tech habits is more powerful than any rule

Keywords

digital wellbeing, parenting in the digital age, screen time for kids, raising resilient kids, social media and mental health, family screen rules, digital balance, youth mental health, technology and children, dopamine and screens, online safety for kids

🌐 Connect with Sajita:

• ➡️ LinkedIn Profile: ⁠http://linkedin.com/in/sajita-setia
• ➡️ Website: https://sajitasetia.com/
• ➡️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrSajitaSetia
• ➡️ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drsajitasetia/
• ➡️ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sajita.setia/

📢 Connect with Anthony Dahya:

• 🌐 Website – Champion Mindset Collective
• ➡️ LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonydahya/
• ➡️ Facebook – facebook.com/anthonydahya
• ➡️ Instagram – @anthony.dahya
• ➡️ YouTube – @anthonydahya
• ➡️ Spotify – Champion Mindset Collective

• ➡️ AI Workflows Agency – https://aiworkflows.agency
• 📧 Email – [email protected]
• 💬 Join the Conversation: Leave your thoughts or questions in the comments or message Anthony directly.
• Want to be a guest on Champion Mindset Collective? Send Anthony Dahya a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/championmindset

AI is moving fast, and for many business owners it feels overwhelming, impersonal, and even threatening. In this episode of the Champion Mindset Collective Podcast, Anthony sits down with Wes Towers, founder of Uplift 360, to explore a different way forward.

After being told during a business valuation that AI made his company less valuable and more replaceable, Wes faced a defining moment. Instead of resisting AI or allowing it to strip the humanity out of his work, he chose to re-frame it as a tool that could strengthen trust, connection, and authenticity.

In this conversation, Wes shares how a mindset shift changed everything. From redefining value and trust in a digital world, to using AI in a way that supports people rather than replaces them, this episode is a grounded and practical guide for founders navigating the future of business.

This is not a hype-driven AI conversation. It is a real, human discussion about leadership, trust, and building sustainable businesses in a noisy digital world.

🔑 Key Takeaways

• Why AI does not need to replace human connection to be effective

• How a mindset shift can turn fear of AI into clarity and confidence

• The danger of over-automating at the cost of trust and brand authenticity

• How to use AI as a systemisation tool while staying deeply human

• Why trust is becoming the most valuable asset in modern business

• What a champion mindset looks like when technology is changing fast

Timestamp List

• 00:00 – Why AI feels threatening to many business owners

• 05:40 – The valuation moment that forced a complete rethink

• 12:30 – Reframing AI from threat to tool

• 20:10 – Humanising automation without losing authenticity

• 28:45 – Champion mindset in leadership and business

• 36:30 – Trust as the new currency in the digital world

• 43:10 – Final reflections and advice for founders

👥 Who This Episode Is For

This episode is for:

• Business owners and founders navigating AI and automation

• Marketing leaders wanting to build trust, not just efficiency

• Trades and construction business owners growing their digital presence

• Leaders who value authenticity, people, and long-term sustainability

• Anyone feeling uncertain about how AI fits into their business future

🔍 Keywords

humanising AI, AI and trust, champion mindset, authentic marketing, AI for business owners, AI and leadership, digital trust, automation with authenticity, mindset and technology, future of business AI

🌐 Connect with Wes:

• ➡️ LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/westowers

📢 Connect with Anthony Dahya:

• 🌐 Website – Champion Mindset Collective
• ➡️ LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonydahya/
• ➡️ Facebook – facebook.com/anthonydahya
• ➡️ Instagram – @anthony.dahya
• ➡️ YouTube – @anthonydahya
• ➡️ Spotify – Champion Mindset Collective

• ➡️ AI Workflows Agency – https://aiworkflows.agency
• 📧 Email – [email protected]
• 💬 Join the Conversation: Leave your thoughts or questions in the comments or message Anthony directly.
• Want to be a guest on Champion Mindset Collective? Send Anthony Dahya a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/championmindset

Leadership isn’t failing because leaders lack knowledge. It’s failing because organisations are full of friction. In this episode, Anthony sits down with former British Military Officer and global leadership consultant Jimmy Burroughes to explore how simplifying leadership systems unlocks real performance, clarity, and sustainable results.

Jimmy shares practical insights from working with Fortune 500 companies and large New Zealand organisations, focusing on the most overlooked layer in leadership development: managers of managers.

This conversation is grounded, practical, and highly relevant for HR leaders, senior managers, and anyone responsible for developing leaders in complex environments.

⏱️ Episode Timestamps (Shortened)

00:00 – Why Leadership Feels Broken
Leadership isn’t failing because of knowledge gaps, but because of friction and overload.

02:10 – Jimmy’s Journey and Perspective
From British military leadership to global consulting across 20+ countries.

05:30 – The Most Overlooked Leadership Layer
Why managers of managers are the biggest leverage point in organisations.

09:40 – Organisational Friction Explained
How meetings, interruptions, and unclear priorities quietly kill performance.

14:30 – Simplify to Amplify
Why removing friction creates clarity, momentum, and measurable results.

24:00 – Burnout Is a System Problem
Why senior leader burnout is often caused by design, not resilience.

29:00 – What Actually Builds Leadership Capability
Fewer priorities, clearer ownership, and better decision-making.

34:40 – Leadership Skills for the Future
What leaders need now in a world of AI, change, and complexity.

43:50 – Quick Fire and Champion Mindset
Jimmy shares his views on success, belief, and what it means to be a champion.

47:30 – Final Reflections
A reminder that great leadership starts with clarity and simplicity.

🎯 Key Takeaways

• Leadership performance improves faster when you remove friction instead of adding frameworks

• Managers of managers are the biggest leverage point in any organisation

• Burnout is often a systems problem, not a resilience problem

• Simplicity creates clarity, and clarity creates momentum

• Leadership capability must be practical, repeatable, and measurable

• HR leaders need systems that deliver results, not just participation

If leadership development in your organisation feels heavy, slow, or ineffective, this episode will give you clarity and practical insight you can apply immediately.

Tags :

leadership development, leadership capability, champion mindset collective, anthony dahya, jimmy burroughes, leadership podcast, HR leadership, people leadership, leadership training, management development, managers of managers, organisational performance, leadership burnout, future leadership skills, simplify to amplify, leadership systems, workplace leadership, NZ leadership podcast

🌐 Connect with Jimmy:

• ➡️ LinkedIn Profile: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimmyburroughes/

• ➡️ Website: ⁠http://www.jblhighperformance.com/

When you are ready to find out more, here are a few ways you can connect with me

1. Stuck in the leadership weeds and can't see a way out? → Book your 1:1 Strategic Breakthrough Session
2. Ready to reclaim 6+ hours weekly and lead with confidence instead of firefighting in chaos? → Discover Amplify
3. Exhausted from your team needing constant oversight and direction? → Transform them with WoW

📢 Connect with Anthony Dahya:

• 🌐 Website – Champion Mindset Collective
• ➡️ LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonydahya/
• ➡️ Facebook – facebook.com/anthonydahya
• ➡️ Instagram – @anthony.dahya
• ➡️ YouTube – @anthonydahya
• ➡️ Spotify – Champion Mindset Collective

• ➡️ AI Workflows Agency – https://aiworkflows.agency
• 📧 Email – [email protected]
• 💬 Join the Conversation: Leave your thoughts or questions in the comments or message Anthony directly.
• Want to be a guest on Champion Mindset Collective? Send Anthony Dahya a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/championmindset

Most strategies don’t fail because they’re bad ideas.
They fail because people were never aligned to live them.

In this powerful conversation, Anthony sits down with Debbie Klintworth to unpack why customer loyalty, performance, and growth always start inside an organisation before they ever show up on the outside.

With over 25 years of frontline, leadership, and CX experience, Debbie challenges the loyalty myth, calls out corporate buzzwords, and explains why culture is not a vibe, it’s behaviour.

This episode is a must-watch for leaders, founders, and executives who want to close the gap between strategy on paper and reality on the ground.

If you care about people, performance, and building organisations that actually work — this one’s for you.

⏱️ Timestamps (Chapters for YouTube)

00:00 – Why most strategies fail before they even start
02:45 – What the “strategy gap” really looks like in organisations
06:10 – Culture isn’t a poster, it’s behaviour
10:05 – Why loyalty programmes don’t create loyalty
14:30 – The frontline as your greatest strategic asset
18:40 – Leaders vs leadership behaviour
23:15 – Why alignment beats motivation every time
27:50 – Scaling without breaking your culture
32:10 – Human-centred leadership in an AI world
36:45 – What should be automated and what must stay human
41:20 – The cost of ignoring your people
45:10 – Practical steps leaders can take immediately
49:30 – Final reflections on purpose-led leadership

🔑 Key Takeaways

• Strategy fails when behaviour doesn’t match intent
• Culture is created by what leaders tolerate and reward
• Customer loyalty is built internally, not through campaigns
• The frontline sees the truth long before leadership does
• Alignment beats motivation, incentives, and slogans
• AI should remove friction, not humanity
• Leaders must experience reality, not just review reports

🎯 Who This Episode Is For

✔ Business owners and founders
✔ Senior leaders and executives
✔ CX and HR professionals
✔ Organisations scaling or transforming
✔ Anyone feeling the gap between strategy and reality

📣 Call to Action

If this episode challenged your thinking:
👍 Like the video
💬 Comment with your biggest takeaway
📌 Subscribe for more leadership and mindset conversations
🔔 Turn on notifications so you don’t miss future episodes

🔖 Hashtags (High-Reach + Niche)

#ChampionMindset #LeadershipDevelopment
#CompanyCulture
#CustomerExperience
#PurposeLedLeadership #PeopleFirst
#CXLeadership
#FutureOfWork
#HumanCentredLeadership
#BusinessStrategy #OrganisationalCulture

🌐 Connect with Debbie Klintworth:

• ➡️ Footprint Collective Facebook: footprintcollectivecx
• ➡️ LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debbieklintworth/
• ➡️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@footprintcollectivecx     
• ➡️ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/footprintcollectivecx/
• ➡️ Website: https://footprintcollective.co.nz/

• The Strategy Gap Checklist (just 5 questions that reveal if your strategy is being lived, understood, and executed… or if it’s quietly drifting off course) - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RUDr96Hcg3gWarQf0k-eLqy0duzdgZEQ/view?usp=sharing

📢 Connect with Anthony Dahya:

• 🌐 Website – Champion Mindset Collective
• ➡️ LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonydahya/
• ➡️ Facebook – facebook.com/anthonydahya
• ➡️ Instagram – @anthony.dahya
• ➡️ YouTube – @anthonydahya
• ➡️ Spotify – Champion Mindset Collective

• ➡️ AI Workflows Agency – https://aiworkflows.agency
• 📧 Email – [email protected]
• 💬 Join the Conversation: Leave your thoughts or questions in the comments or message Anthony directly.
• Want to be a guest on Champion Mindset Collective? Send Anthony Dahya a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/championmindset

Guest: Damien Schreurs, Explainer-in-Chief at EasyTECH

How do you run a successful solopreneur business without burning out or working around the clock?

In this episode of the Champion Mindset Collective Podcast, Anthony Dahya sits down with Damien Schreurs, the Explainer-in-Chief of EasyTECH and host of the Macpreneur Podcast. Damien shares his journey from an 18-year corporate career as a Research and Development Engineer to building a sustainable solopreneur business powered by smart systems, automation, and now artificial intelligence.

Damien walks us through how he started his business as a side hustle, why mastering your tools matters more than chasing shiny tech, and how Mac-based workflows can help solopreneurs reclaim time, reduce friction, and stay focused on what truly matters.

This conversation is practical, grounded, and especially valuable for consultants, freelancers, and solopreneurs who want to work smarter without losing their human touch.

🔑 Key Topics We Cover

• Transitioning from corporate life to solopreneurship with intention
• Building a business on a Mac using simple, effective systems
• Automation strategies for admin, finance, and operations
• When and why to hire a virtual assistant as a solopreneur
• Using AI as a strategic thought partner, not just a tool
• Reclaiming time as your most valuable resource

🎯 Who This Episode Is For

• Solopreneurs and freelancers running their business on a Mac
• Consultants earning or aiming for consistent five-figure months
• Business owners overwhelmed by admin and digital clutter
• Anyone curious about practical AI use without hype

🎙️ Episode Timestamps

Running a Solopreneur Business on a Mac and Leveraging AI

00:00 – Welcome and episode overview
01:10 – Introducing Damien Schreurs and EasyTECH
02:40 – Damien’s early tech journey and passion for learning
04:30 – From corporate R&D engineer to side hustle entrepreneur
06:30 – Starting EasyTECH while keeping a steady paycheck
08:40 – Making the leap to full-time solopreneurship
10:30 – Why running a business on a Mac made a difference
12:45 – Building systems, processes, and automation as a solopreneur
15:20 – Staying solo longer through smart automation
17:10 – Hiring a virtual assistant and what to delegate first
19:10 – Using AI to reduce workload and think more strategically
21:40 – Reclaiming time as a solopreneur’s most valuable asset
23:20 – Advice for solopreneurs feeling overwhelmed by tech
25:00 – Damien’s free Mac efficiency quiz and resources
26:10 – Final reflections and closing remarks

🔗 Resources & Links

👉 Free Mac efficiency quiz and personalised time-saving tips

https://macpreneur.com/tips

👉 Connect with Damien on LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dschreurs

📢 Connect with Anthony Dahya:

• 🌐 Website – Champion Mindset Collective
• ➡️ LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonydahya/
• ➡️ Facebook – facebook.com/anthonydahya
• ➡️ Instagram – @anthony.dahya
• ➡️ YouTube – @anthonydahya
• ➡️ Spotify – Champion Mindset Collective

• ➡️ AI Workflows Agency – https://aiworkflows.agency
• 📧 Email – [email protected]
• 💬 Join the Conversation: Leave your thoughts or questions in the comments or message Anthony directly.
• Want to be a guest on Champion Mindset Collective? Send Anthony Dahya a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/championmindset

From Aerospace to AI: Building PodMatch and Serving Podcasters with Purpose

In this episode of the Champion Mindset Collective Podcast, I sit down with Alex Sanfilippo, founder and CEO of PodMatch, to unpack a journey built on discipline, focus, and genuine service.

Alex shares how he went from childhood business ventures, to a 15 year corporate career in aerospace, and then made the leap into entrepreneurship by building PodMatch. What started as listening closely to podcasters’ frustrations has grown into one of the most impactful platforms in the podcasting world, connecting hosts and guests globally and paying over one million dollars back to independent podcasters.

We explore what it really takes to manage time intentionally, stay focused when building multiple things, and avoid spreading yourself too thin. Alex also opens up about the realities of podcasting today, including monetisation, consistency, and why community matters far more than vanity metrics.

This conversation is grounded, practical, and full of insights for anyone building a podcast, a business, or navigating a big transition.

Episode Timestamps

00:00 – Welcome and episode overview
02:05 – Alex’s early entrepreneurial journey
05:40 – Lessons from a 15 year aerospace career
10:20 – Knowing when it was time to leave corporate
14:10 – How the idea for PodMatch was born
19:50 – Listening to real problems before building solutions
25:40 – Time management and productivity systems
32:30 – Staying focused and saying no to distractions
38:10 – Podcast monetisation beyond ads
44:20 – Community, consistency, and purpose
49:30 – Final reflections and advice for podcasters

In This Episode, We Cover

• Alex’s transition from aerospace to entrepreneurship
• Why PodMatch was built by listening, not guessing
• Productivity systems and intentional time management
• Staying focused on core goals while avoiding overload
• Podcast monetisation beyond traditional ads
• Building community and staying true to your purpose

Key Takeaways

• Focus and systems beat hustle
• Solve real problems by listening first
• Consistency matters more than perfection
• Community creates long term impact
• Purpose keeps growth sustainable

About the Alex

Alex Sanfilippo is the founder and CEO of PodMatch, an AI powered platform that matches podcast hosts and guests. He is also the host of the Podcasting Made Simple podcast and a Forbes Business Council contributor, helping podcasters grow with clarity, intention, and integrity.

🌐 Connect with Alex Sanfilippo:

• ➡️ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AlexJSanfilippo
• ➡️ X - https://x.com/alexsanfilippo8⁠
• ➡️ Pintrest - https://nz.pinterest.com/alexsanfilippopm/
• ➡️ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/alexsanfilippo7/
• ➡️ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexsanfilippo/
• ➡️ Threads - https://www.threads.com/@alexsanfilippo7
• ➡️ Reddit - https://www.reddit.com/user/Alexsanfilippo/
• ➡️ Podmatch - https://podmatch.com/guestdetail/alex

📢 Connect with Anthony Dahya:

• 🌐 Website – Champion Mindset Collective
• ➡️ LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonydahya/
• ➡️ Facebook – facebook.com/anthonydahya
• ➡️ Instagram – @anthony.dahya
• ➡️ YouTube – @anthonydahya
• ➡️ Spotify – Champion Mindset Collective

• ➡️ AI Workflows Agency – https://aiworkflows.agency
• 📧 Email – [email protected]
• 💬 Join the Conversation: Leave your thoughts or questions in the comments or message Anthony directly.
• Want to be a guest on Champion Mindset Collective? Send Anthony Dahya a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/championmindset

Are you truly showing up in your life, or just going through the motions?

In this powerful episode of the Champion Mindset Collective Podcast, I’m joined by Marcy Axelrod, author, speaker, and researcher, to explore what it really means to show up in a way that creates meaning, fulfilment, and sustained growth.

This conversation goes beyond motivation and hustle. We unpack how your lived experiences shape who you become, why presence matters more than performance, and how creativity, curiosity, and awareness unlock your best self.

Marcy shares insights drawn from over 30 years of research and hundreds of thousands of data points, revealing how humans are naturally designed to thrive when they truly show up.

In This Episode, We Explore

• The difference between being busy and being present
• Why it’s not what happens to you, but the meaning you give it
• The three levels of showing up and how they affect your success
• How creativity supports leadership, parenting, and trust
• Why curiosity and active listening are powerful creative acts
• The three essential roles we all play and how imbalance leads to burnout
• How to redefine success from the inside out
• Why small, consistent steps matter more than big goals

The Three Levels of Showing Up

1. Barely There - Burnt out, reactive, emotionally drained, operating in survival mode

2. Just Showing Up - Going through the motions, distracted, present in body but not in mind

3. Truly Showing Up - Deep presence, curiosity, openness, creativity, flow, and a sense of wonder

This episode helps you recognise where you are and how to shift toward truly showing up in your life and work.

Key Takeaways

• Creativity isn’t optional for leaders, parents, or high performers. It’s essential
• Listening is a creative act that deepens connection and understanding
• True success isn’t external achievement, it’s how you feel about yourself
• Growth comes from how you interpret experiences, not the experiences themselves
• Sustainable change happens through small, consistent steps

Timestamps

• 00:09 – Creativity and being a champion
  
• 01:10 – Why creativity matters in tense situations

• 03:56 – Marcy’s book How We Choose to Show Up
  
• 08:20 – Childhood experiences and personal growth
  
• 17:17 – The three levels of showing up
  
• 21:01 – The three roles we play in life
  
• 26:05 – Asking better questions for deeper insight
  
• 30:25 – The problem with hustle culture

Tags:

champion mindset, personal growth, self-improvement, mindset, success, fulfillment, purpose, presence, Marcy Axelrod, how to show up, unlock your best self, creative mindset, curious mindset, open mindset, thrive, personal journey, professional journey, life purpose, inner self, mental toughness, motivation, inspiration, achieve goals, self-discovery

🌐 Connect with Marcy Axelrod:

• ➡️ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcy/
• ➡️ Website - https://choosetoshowup.com/
• ➡️ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/marcyaxelrod/

📢 Connect with Anthony Dahya:

• 🌐 Website – Champion Mindset Collective
• ➡️ LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonydahya/
• ➡️ Facebook – facebook.com/anthonydahya
• ➡️ Instagram – @anthony.dahya
• ➡️ YouTube – @anthonydahya
• ➡️ Spotify – Champion Mindset Collective

• ➡️ AI Workflows Agency – https://aiworkflows.agency
• 📧 Email – [email protected]
• 💬 Join the Conversation: Leave your thoughts or questions in the comments or message Anthony directly.
• Want to be a guest on Champion Mindset Collective? Send Anthony Dahya a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/championmindset