Most people wait for the economy to change before they start winning. What if the biggest barrier to your growth isn't the market, it's how you're thinking about it?

In this powerful conversation, Anthony sits down with finance titan Mikey Smith, founder and CEO of Guardian Smith, to unpack why some people thrive in any economy while others continually wait for permission. Discover the 'iron mindset' that allows him to block out the noise, embrace personal responsibility, and consistently win in business and wealth creation. This episode will challenge your perceptions of money, success, and the role you play in your own destiny.

Key Takeaways

- The biggest barrier to growth is often internal mindset, not external market conditions.

- An 'Iron Mindset' involves not caring what others think, focusing on your own journey, and blocking out external noise.

- Personal responsibility is key: value creation leads to financial success.

- Childhood experiences, even unconventional ones, can provide crucial business and customer service lessons.

- True motivation shifts from personal gain (cars, early retirement) to building legacy and genuine love for work.

- Overcome 'shiny object syndrome' by focusing on the 'sport of business' within your chosen field.

Chapters

0:00 The Mindset vs. Market Myth

0:40 What is an 'Iron Mindset'?

1:52 Blocking Out the Noise and Tall Poppy Syndrome

2:53 Redefining Personal Responsibility

3:52 Mikey's Unexpected Journey to Finance

5:30 Lessons from Rental Cars and Mechanics

8:11 From Property Manager to Finance CEO

9:05 The Sport of Business and Shiny Object Syndrome

Links

Connect with Mikey Smith:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikey-smith-25999548/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mortgageperformance/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialmikeysmith/

X: https://x.com/MikeySmithNZ

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mikeysmithnz50

Connect with Anthony Dahya

Champion Mindset Collective: https://championmindsetcollective.com

AI Workflows Agency: https://aiworkflows.agency

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonydahya/

Contact: [email protected]

Be a Guest: https://championmindsetcollective.com/be-a-guest

Most leaders think success is all in their mind, but they're missing half the story. If you're feeling stuck or disconnected despite all the right strategies, your body might be trying to tell you something critical.

In this powerful conversation with somatic leadership coach Croft Edwards, we dive into the hidden intelligence of your body and how it's pivotal for authentic leadership and personal flow. Forget just 'mindset' – the real transformation begins when you learn to listen to your entire self.

Key Takeaways

- True leadership starts beyond mental strategies, by understanding your entire physical and emotional self.

- The 'observer' (our historical, linguistic, emotional, and bodily selves) dictates our actions and results.

- Your body is a 'liquid accordion,' constantly expanding and contracting, holding vital information for leadership.

- Learn to listen to your body's intelligence, not just your brain, to unlock deeper potential and presence.

- Somatic practices offer a path to shift old patterns and embody new ways of being and leading.

Chapters

0:00 The Missing Half of Leadership

0:53 Croft Edwards' Leadership Journey

0:59 General Omar Bradley's Influence

2:50 What is Ontological Coaching?

4:04 The Five Components of the Human Observer

7:43 Why We Are Not Just Brains on a Stick

10:33 Our Bodies Already Know How to Listen

11:00 The Liquid Accordion Metaphor

Links

🔗 **Connect with Croft Edwards:**

Website: https://croftandcompany.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/croftedwards

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/croftedwards/

X: https://x.com/CroftEdwards

Email: [email protected]

📚 **Croft's Books:**

The Liquid Accordion: https://www.amazon.com/Liquid-Accordion-Somatic-Embodiment-Coaching/dp/1968127151

The Liquid Accordion New Zealand: https://www.thenile.co.nz/books/croft-edwards/the-liquid-accordion/9781968127152

LeadershipFlow Perfectly Square: https://www.amazon.com/LeadershipFlow-Perfectly-Square-Learning-Transforming/dp/1945507497

The LeadershipFlow in Action Fundamentals: https://www.amazon.com/Origins-LeadershipFlow-Action-Fundamentals/dp/1724188135

Croft Edwards Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Croft-Edwards/e/B06W9L2VJC

Connect with Anthony Dahya

Champion Mindset Collective: https://championmindsetcollective.com

AI Workflows Agency: https://aiworkflows.agency

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonydahya/

Contact: [email protected]

Be a Guest: https://championmindsetcollective.com/be-a-guest

Imagine living your entire life in fight or flight, thinking it was normal. That was my guest, Nahum, an ex-bomb squad operator who found true healing in the most unexpected place.

Today, we dive deep into Nahum Vizakis' incredible journey from a traumatic childhood, through military bomb disposal in Iraq, to becoming a 'Spiritual Bodybuilder'. Discover how an identity crisis after staring down death led him to question everything and embark on a path of holistic healing, blending ancient wisdom with modern biohacking. This conversation explores the profound shift from 'doing' to 'being', and how truly powerful you become when you learn to listen to your body and unlock your embodied sovereignty.

Additional Resources and Next Steps

- Explore Champion Academy and start building your Champion Mindset.

https://championmindsetcollective.com/academy

- Rebuild confidence and direction with Champion Reset.

https://championmindsetcollective.com/champion-reset

Key Takeaways

- True warriors are healers: Ancient cultures understood the need to cleanse the soul after battle, a wisdom we're rediscovering.

- The impact of living in 'fight or flight': Many are unconsciously stuck in survival mode, believing it to be normal until they experience contrast.

- Identity crisis as a catalyst for growth: Confronting death or major life shifts can shatter old identities, opening the door to deeper healing and self-discovery.

- Somatoemotional Release (SER): How the body stores trauma and the dramatic physical and emotional process of its release and nervous system regulation.

- The shift from 'doing' to 'being': Embracing introspection and listening to inner wisdom can lead to profound transformation beyond external achievements.

Chapters

0:00 Introduction: Spiritual Bodybuilding

0:58 From Trauma to Warrior: A Childhood Story

0:40 EOD & The Iraq Identity Crisis

0:08 Finding Bodybuilding & Psychology

0:10 The Somatoemotional Release That Changed Everything

0:12 From Doing to Being: Redefining Strength

Links

Connect with Nahum Vizakis:

Website: https://www.spiritualbodybuilder.com/

Optimizing Human: https://www.optimizinghuman.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spiritual_bodybuilder/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SpiritualBodybuilder

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OptimizingHuman

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nahum-vizakis-596092266

Books & Resources:

The Biohacker’s Guide to Spiritual Bodybuilding: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FSF59FSR

The Indigo Flame Book: https://www.balboapress.com/en/bookstore/bookdetails/868497-the-indigo-flame

Connect with Anthony Dahya

Champion Mindset Collective: https://championmindsetcollective.com

AI Workflows Agency: https://aiworkflows.agency

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonydahya/

Contact: [email protected]

Be a Guest: https://championmindsetcollective.com/be-a-guest

AI isn't the real enemy. The fear, the uncertainty, the breakdown of trust, that's what truly destabilises your team.

If you're a leader struggling to navigate this massive shift without losing your people, this conversation is for you. We're diving deep with Victoria Pelletier, a global workforce transformation leader who became a COO at 24 despite a childhood of profound adversity. She shares how to build a healthy kind of resilience that helps you and your team not just survive uncertainty, but truly grow through it.

Key Takeaways

- Trust, not technology, is the foundation of successful change leadership, especially with AI.

- Transparent, strategic communication about AI's impact builds trust, even when answers are incomplete.

- Victoria's journey from childhood trauma to global leadership highlights resilience born from turning adversity into purpose.

- Invest in upskilling employees for future roles; if not, communicate transitions with empathy and sufficient time.

- True leadership involves understanding the full human impact of AI, beyond just immediate teams.

Chapters

0:00 The Real AI Problem: Fear & Trust

0:45 Victoria Pelletier's Unstoppable Journey

1:50 From Childhood Trauma to COO at 24

4:40 Building Companies & Resilience: An Entrepreneurial Spirit

6:15 Leading Change: AI vs. Human Growth

7:00 Why Trust is Your Only AI Strategy

8:30 The Dangers of Poor Communication in Change

9:45 The Cost of Neglecting Your 'Left Behind' Team

Links

🔗 Connect with Victoria Pelletier:

Website: https://victoria-pelletier.com

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/victoriapelletier

Instagram: https://instagram.com/victoria_pelletier_unstoppable

Facebook: https://facebook.com/Victoria.Pelletier.Unstoppable

X / Twitter: https://x.com/PelletierV29

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@VictoriaPelletierUnstoppable

Connect with Anthony Dahya

Champion Mindset Collective: https://championmindsetcollective.com

AI Workflows Agency: https://aiworkflows.agency

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonydahya/

Contact: [email protected]

Be a Guest: https://championmindsetcollective.com/be-a-guest

If you've ever reached a huge goal and felt absolutely nothing, this conversation is for you. We're talking with a world record holder who achieved the impossible, only to realise winning didn't fix the emptiness inside.

Most people chase success, thinking it's the ultimate answer. But what happens when you get there, and it's not enough? Join Anthony Dahya as he unpacks the profound journey of Mikael Avatar, defying all odds to become a Paralympic world record holder. Despite this monumental achievement, Mikael found himself facing a deep internal void. This conversation reveals why external accomplishments often fall short of true fulfillment, and how Mikael ultimately found his path to inner freedom through the 'One Percent Pause'. Discover how to stop performing and start living a life that truly feels like yours.

Additional Resources and Next Steps

- Explore Champion Academy and start building your Champion Mindset.

https://championmindsetcollective.com/academy

Key Takeaways

- Achievement does not equal healing: External success rarely fixes internal emptiness or past wounds.

- The illusion of the 'magic bullet': Believing one big accomplishment will make everything right can lead to profound disappointment.

- Defining your own 'normal life': After a life of extreme performance, rebuilding an authentic, fulfilling daily life is a conscious choice.

- The power of 'The One Percent Pause': Small, honest daily choices are more impactful for inner freedom than grand, performance-driven goals.

- Passion vs. expectation: Sustained drive comes from true passion, not just the expectation of an outcome.

Chapters

0:00 The Emptiness After Success: Why Winning Isn't Enough

0:45 Mikael's Extraordinary Birth and Childhood Resilience

3:00 Defying Limits: From Cerebral Palsy to Mountain Climber

5:30 The Judo Lesson: Passion and Conviction

7:00 Chaotic Childhood & The '17 Ways' to See the World

10:30 The Music Teacher's Legacy: Resonating With Emotion

14:00 World Record, Zero Fulfillment: The Atlanta Aftermath

17:30 15,000 Hours: What Drives Beyond Talent

19:00 Walking Away: The End of Performance, The Start of True Life

Links

Connect with Mikael Avatar:

Website: https://mikaelavatar.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikaelavatar

Instagram: https://instagram.com/mikaelavatar

Facebook: https://facebook.com/mikaelavatar

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@MikaelAvatarStjernvall

Connect with Anthony Dahya

Champion Mindset Collective: https://championmindsetcollective.com

AI Workflows Agency: https://aiworkflows.agency

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonydahya/

Contact: [email protected]

Be a Guest: https://championmindsetcollective.com/be-a-guest

Did you know AI's journey began with human psychology, not just code? This isn't another sci-fi prediction, but a deep dive into the real, untold history.

Dr. Craig Kaplan, an AI pioneer, reveals how the earliest AI programs, dating back to 1956, were already demonstrating creativity and deep psychological insights. From working with Nobel laureates to witnessing the birth of machine learning, Craig shares his fascinating journey at the intersection of human intelligence and artificial systems. Discover why understanding the human mind was, and still is, central to building ethical, aligned, and truly intelligent AI, and why the future of AI needs democratic human-driven values.

Key Takeaways

- AI's origins in 1956 revealed its creative potential, not just coded rules.

- Early AI pioneers like Herbert Simon focused on 'thinking systems' and cognitive science.

- The shift from symbolic AI to machine learning and neural networks was a pivotal moment in the 1980s.

- Human psychology and understanding the mind have always been foundational to AI development.

- The future of AI lies in democratic systems and human-driven value alignment, not just technical prowess.

- AI can solve other problems. If you have an intelligent system that is smarter than humans, you have created a tool that can solve all the other problems we have.

Chapters

0:00 The Human Challenge of AI

2:16 From Psychobiology to Cognitive Science

3:12 Fascination with Mind & Machines

7:42 AI's Creative Spark: The Logic Theorist

9:46 Early AI Collaboration vs. Competition

Links

SuperIntelligence.com: https://www.superintelligence.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigakaplan

iQ Company: https://www.iqco.com

iQ Company Contact: https://www.iqco.com/contact-iq

Substack: https://read.superintelligence.com

YouTube/iQStudios: https://www.youtube.com/@iqstudios1

Connect with Anthony Dahya

Champion Mindset Collective: https://championmindsetcollective.com

AI Workflows Agency: https://aiworkflows.agency

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonydahya/

Contact: [email protected]

Be a Guest: https://championmindsetcollective.com/be-a-guest

What if being forced to stop, even by a life-threatening illness, was the unexpected starting point for your greatest clarity and purpose?

Dr. Holly Porter shares her raw, powerful story of 70 days in a hospital bed facing death, and how that forced stillness completely reshaped her understanding of strength, faith, and meaning. This isn't just a story of survival; it’s a masterclass in finding new direction when life seems to hold you captive, and learning to see surrender not as giving up, but as unlocking an unimaginable inner strength.

Additional Resources and Next Steps

- Rebuild confidence and direction with Champion Reset.

https://championmindsetcollective.com/champion-reset

Key Takeaways

- Stillness is not a failure; it can be the starting point for true clarity and new direction.

- Surrender, especially in moments of extreme helplessness, can unlock profound inner strength.

- A near-death experience can radically shift perspective on purpose, legacy, and what truly matters.

- Healing journeys, even years later, continue to shape identity and foster resilience.

- Learning to ask for and accept help is essential, as nobody truly navigates life's biggest challenges alone.

Chapters

0:00 The Power of Forced Stillness

1:15 From Las Vegas to Life-Threatening Illness

3:30 70 Days in Hospital: Facing Death & Losing Control

5:30 The Fear of Not Breathing & Sensory Loss

8:00 Humbling Surrender & The Unimaginable Weakness

9:00 Surrender as Strength: Unlocking New Purpose

Links

🔗 Guest Links:

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/hollyporter

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HOLLYANNPORTER/

Instagram Holly Porter International: https://www.instagram.com/hollyporterinternational/

Instagram Retreat RNR: https://www.instagram.com/retreatrnr/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hollyporter/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@retreatrnr

YouTube Retreat RNR: https://www.youtube.com/@RetreatRnR

YouTube International Retreat Association: https://www.youtube.com/@intlretreatassociation

Substack: https://substack.com/@hollyporter

Spotify All Things Retreat Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/5lNAn7WEzL9ODPsr9hXJ1Z

Promotional Links:

Near Death SHIFT Book: https://neardeathshift.com/

Holly Porter International: https://hollyporterinternational.com/

Book a Call With Holly: https://calendly.com/callwithholly/15-minute-connect-call

Holly Porter Media Kit: https://hollyporterinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Media-Kit-1.pdf

Holly Porter Store: https://store.hollyporterinternational.com/store

The Success Vault: https://store.hollyporterinternational.com/the-success-vault

International Retreat Association: https://internationalretreatassociation.com/

Adventure Bucket Wish Foundation: https://adventurebucketwish.org/

All Things Retreat Podcast: https://hollyporterinternational.com/podcast-page/

Near Death SHIFT on Amazon: https://us.amazon.com/Death-Shift-Taught-Business-Purpose/dp/B0G1JSNF9X

Connect with Anthony Dahya

Champion Mindset Collective: https://championmindsetcollective.com

AI Workflows Agency: https://aiworkflows.agency

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonydahya/

Contact: [email protected]

Be a Guest: https://championmindsetcollective.com/be-a-guest

Feeling like something unseen is holding you back from your potential? This conversation with Jim Britt, author of The Power of Letting Go, is for you. Jim shares his incredible journey from extreme poverty and a childhood without electricity to becoming an internationally recognised success coach. He reveals the profound truth that success isn't just about what you do, but who you are programmed to believe you are. Learn how to identify and finally let go of the subconscious programming limiting your life and business.

Additional Resources and Next Steps

- Rebuild confidence and direction with Champion Reset.

https://championmindsetcollective.com/champion-reset

Key Takeaways

- Your external success is often limited by internal programming and old stories, not just effort.

- Jim's childhood poverty and humble beginnings ironically forged a deep understanding of survival and resourcefulness.

- The defining moment of hitting rock bottom (15 cents, eviction notice) became a catalyst for radical internal change.

- Letting go isn't passive, it's an active decision to release limiting beliefs and step into authentic power.

- Identity shifts are critical: you must change who you believe you are to change what you achieve.

Chapters

0:00 The Invisible Struggle Holding You Back

0:13 Welcome Jim Britt: Architect of Breakthroughs

0:41 From Poverty to Power: Jim's Early Life

0:50 No Electricity, No Food, But Unbreakable Spirit

3:29 Cotton Fields to School Struggles: The Shaping of Identity

5:26 The Factory, Sales, and the Road to Rock Bottom

7:24 15 Cents, Eviction, and the Decision Not to Quit

9:37 The Unexpected Opportunity That Changed Everything

Links

Find more from Jim Britt here:

Website: https://jimbrittcoaching.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-britt/

Connect with Anthony Dahya

Champion Mindset Collective: https://championmindsetcollective.com

AI Workflows Agency: https://aiworkflows.agency

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonydahya/

Contact: [email protected]

Be a Guest: https://championmindsetcollective.com/be-a-guest

Feeling like you're battling alone? This conversation with war veteran Mario Bekes will give you a different kind of strength.

From 1800 combat days in a warzone to walking the Camino Primitivo alone, Mario Bekes has lived through extreme adversity. He shares profound insights on resilience, truth, and how to find your own path when leadership feels lonely. Discover the unexpected lessons from the battlefield that apply to business, life, and rebuilding after loss. This isn't just a story of survival; it's a masterclass in turning pain into purpose and finding unbreakable resolve.

Rebuild confidence and direction with Champion Reset: https://championmindsetcollective.com/champion-reset

Additional Resources and Next Steps

- Rebuild confidence and direction with Champion Reset.

https://championmindsetcollective.com/champion-reset

Key Takeaways

- Resilience isn't just surviving, it's about finding strength 'another day, another day' when hope fades.

- True growth often comes from having everything stripped away, forcing self-discovery.

- The 'war within' for true identity and purpose can be more challenging than external battles.

- Lived experience consistently trumps theory when navigating extreme adversity and leadership.

- Pain can be a powerful catalyst for purpose when reframed as a lesson, not a failing.

Chapters

0:00 Finding strength when you feel alone

0:30 Mario Bekes: War Veteran, Investigator, Record Holder

3:15 Childhood in Communist Yugoslavia

4:00 Joining the Military & The Start of War

6:15 1800 Days in Combat: A Mindset of Survival

8:30 How War Forged Resilience for Life

9:55 The Camino Primitivo: Stripping Everything Away

11:00 Why Walk 800km Alone? Confronting Self

Links

Connect with Mario Bekes:

Website: https://www.mariobekes.com.au/

Life The Battlefield Podcast: https://www.lifethebattlefield.com/

Insight Intelligence Group: https://insightintelligence.com.au/

LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/mariobekes-human-intelligence-expert

Check out Mario's books:

Blood-Soaked Soil: https://www.mariobekes.com.au/book-shop/

Corporate and Workplace Investigations: https://www.mariobekes.com.au/book-shop/

Connect with Anthony Dahya

Champion Mindset Collective: https://championmindsetcollective.com

AI Workflows Agency: https://aiworkflows.agency

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonydahya/

Contact: [email protected]

Be a Guest: https://championmindsetcollective.com/be-a-guest

Are you just surviving the daily grind, especially when life throws a curveball? Many leaders and business owners feel stuck in constant uncertainty. This conversation is for you.

In this deep dive, Anthony and Shailesh Bagwe explore what it truly means to be human in uncertain times. We often talk about leadership, but what about leading ourselves, and seeing the humanity in others? Shailesh shares his profound journey from a 'rebellion' childhood, constantly exploring and refusing to be bound by limiting beliefs.

Discover how shifting from a 'belief system' to an 'exploration mindset' can transform your approach to business, community, and personal growth. This isn't just theory; it's a raw, honest look at finding purpose and connection when the world feels chaotic. We challenge traditional labels and redefine what it means to be a 'human being' first, leading with unity and impact.

If you're ready to move beyond just surviving and embrace a purposeful, connected way of living and leading, then dive into this conversation. Don't forget to like, subscribe and share to support more meaningful conversations.

Key Takeaways

- The critical difference between 'human being' and 'being human' in daily life and leadership.

- How Shailesh's rebellious childhood led to an 'exploration mindset' over limiting belief systems.

- Redefining community as C-O-M-M-UN-IT-EY, emphasising unity for collective growth.

- Moving beyond comparison and competition towards co-creation and collaboration.

- Why self-reflection and clarity are essential for impacting your surroundings positively.

Chapters

0:00 The Survival Mindset in Business

0:45 Introducing Shailesh Bagwe: Purpose & Community

2:10 Human Being vs. Being Human

3:00 Shailesh's Journey: From Rebellion to Exploration

5:30 Mindset Shift: Beliefs vs. Exploration

7:00 Life as an Ocean: Fluidity and Clarity

9:00 The Power of Community and Unity

11:00 Why We Should Just Be 'Humans'

Links

Connect with Shailesh Bagwe:

LinkedIn: https://nz.linkedin.com/in/shaileshbagwe

NZSME Website: https://www.nzsme.org/apply

NZSME Directory: https://www.nzsme.org/directory

NZSME Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/61586404397699

Seagold Solutions Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/seagoldsolutions/

Seagold Solutions NZBN: https://www.companyhub.nz/companyDetails.cfm?nzbn=9429032809923

NZ World News YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@nzworldnews3480/videos

NZ World News Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NZWorldNews/

Connect with Anthony Dahya

Champion Mindset Collective: https://championmindsetcollective.com

AI Workflows Agency: https://aiworkflows.agency

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonydahya/

Contact: [email protected]

Be a Guest: https://championmindsetcollective.com/be-a-guest