Champion Mindset Collective

Running a business and constantly chasing 'bigger' can feel like the only path. But what if all that scaling and complexity is actually pulling you away from what you truly desire?

In this powerful conversation with Benas Leonavicius, founder of Avium Agency, we challenge the conventional wisdom that bigger is always better. Benas shares his journey from solo freelancer to agency owner, revealing the hidden costs of complexity and why intentional, profitable growth should come before chasing endless scale. Discover a different way to build your business, one that serves your life and purpose, not the other way around. This isn't about avoiding growth, it's about redefining what true success looks like on your own terms.

Key Takeaways

- Traditional views of agency growth (e.g., 30 people, office) can be limiting and aren't the only path to success.

- It's possible to build a lean, remote agency (5-7 people) with significant revenue without becoming bogged down in management.

- Challenge your assumptions about 'how things should be done' to find a growth model that truly fits your lifestyle and values.

- Focus on intentional, profitable, and sustainable foundations before blindly chasing aggressive scale.

- The hardest part of change is not the change itself, but letting go of outdated expectations and preconceived notions.

Chapters

0:00 The Growth Illusion: Are You Chasing The Wrong Thing?

0:53 From Freelance Writer to Agency Founder: Benas's Journey

0:59 When Corporate Life Isn't Your Path

0:01 The Ecommerce Attempt: Learning From Early Failures

0:06 Anthony's Corporate Career vs. Benas's Early Start

0:07 The Agency Myth: Why Bigger Isn't Always Better

0:09 Building a Lean, Remote Agency: A Different Way to Grow

0:11 Challenge Your Assumptions: Redefining Success

Links

🔗 **Connect with Benas Leonavicius & Avium Agency**

Avium Agency: https://avium.vip/

Personal Website: https://benasleo.com/

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

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

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/benas.leonavicius

X: https://x.com/BLeonavicius

Avium Agency LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/avium-vip/

Avium Agency Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/avium.vip/

🚀 **Explore More**

Book a Strategy Call with Avium: https://avium.vip/book-a-call

Avium Case Studies: https://avium.vip/case-studies

Subscribe to Benas's Business Newsletter: https://benas.kit.com/subscribe

Read The Outline Newsletter: https://benasleo.substack.com/

Follow Benas's Agency-Building Journey on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@benasleo

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

You've 'ticked all the boxes', achieved the goals, but still feel that nagging sense of something missing. If you're a high achiever building a successful life, yet carrying unease, this insight is for you.

This conversation dives deep into what 'real success' truly means beyond external titles and achievements. Join Anthony Dahya and Larry Kesslin as they explore how to find inner peace, purpose, and meaning in a world that often measures us by material gains. Larry shares his journey from corporate America to helping successful individuals connect with their deeper purpose, balancing work, family, and personal wellbeing. Discover why understanding who you are and why you're here is the foundation of true joy.

Additional Resources and Next Steps

- Explore Champion Academy and start building your Champion Mindset.

https://championmindsetcollective.com/academy

Key Takeaways

- External success often leaves a deeper void if inner alignment is missing.

- True fulfillment comes from understanding your authentic self and purpose, beyond achievements.

- Larry Kesslin's journey highlights the shift from corporate-driven success to meaningful, purpose-led work.

- Balancing work, family, and personal wellbeing is key to a holistic definition of success.

- Stressful childhood experiences can shape a 'scarcity mindset' that impacts adult definitions of success.

- Identifying what truly matters, independent of external validation, is the path to inner peace.

Chapters

00:00 The Silent Ache of Success

00:40 Introducing Larry Kesslin: Finding Deeper Meaning

02:09 Larry's Childhood: Stress, Scarcity, and Shaping Beliefs

03:40 The Corporate Reality: Why Larry Left GE

05:00 The Spark of Entrepreneurship: A Moment in Aspen

06:41 Building Peer Groups for Entrepreneurs (Avaya, IBM, Cisco)

09:50 Lessons from a Thousand Executives: What Real Success Revealed

Links

Connect with Larry Kesslin:

Website: https://5-dots.com/

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

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larry.kesslin/

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

Larry's Books:

The Joy Molecule: https://a.co/d/0fGWebWu

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B00J8DP5NC

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

Can you truly rebuild your life from absolute nothing? Peter Chatteris went from living in a cold, damp van to becoming a celebrated keynote speaker, coach, and author in just three years.

This isn't just a story of survival, it's a powerful blueprint for igniting unshakable belief, rebuilding your identity, and motivating yourself and your team when everything feels lost. Peter shares the raw truth of how he used intense visualisation and the 'belief advantage' to redefine what was possible, turning his hardest chapters into his greatest strengths. Discover how to shift your mindset, challenge your perceived ceilings, and unlock transformation in your own life and leadership journey.

Key Takeaways

- Your current circumstances are not a ceiling for your future; belief in the process is key.

- Even in the darkest moments, radical visualisation can rewire your subconscious for success.

- The 'Belief Advantage' is about trusting the process even when you don't fully believe the outcome yet.

- Turning your hardest chapters into strengths provides a powerful catalyst for transformation.

- True toughness, especially for men, involves talking openly about mental health struggles.

Chapters

0:00 Living in the Van: From Homeless to Keynote Speaker

2:07 Peter's Wild Journey: Avionics, Music, Antiques & Crisis

3:22 The Suicide Attempt & Reaching Rock Bottom

6:22 How the Van Defined (and Didn't Define) His Belief

8:29 The Power of Immersion: Vision Boards, Flight Radar & Google Street View

9:52 Believing in Belief: Why Process Trumps Immediate Confidence

Links

Connect with Peter Chatteris:

Website: https://www.peterchatteris.com/

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

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

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

Peter's Books and Programs:

The Butterfly Phenomenon: https://www.peterchatteris.com/product-page/the-butterfly-phenomenon-overcoming-the-fear-of-public-speaking-pdf-v

Speech by Design: https://www.peterchatteris.com/product-page/speech-by-design

Structural Speaking: https://www.peterchatteris.com/product-page/structural-speaking

P5 – The Five Elements of an Effective Public Speaking Voice: https://www.peterchatteris.com/product-page/p5-the-five-elements-of-an-effective-public-speaking-voice

Unleash the Power: https://www.peterchatteris.com/product-page/unleash-the-power

The Speaker Guild: https://www.peterchatteris.com/the-speaker-guild

The Belief Movement: https://www.peterchatteris.com/the-belief-movement

Apps & Tools:

Speaker Type: https://speakertype.com/

Topic Tycoon: https://topictycoon.com/

Speech Evaluator Pro: https://speechevaluatorpro.com/

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 your team's disengaged and your culture feels cold, it’s not an HR problem. It’s a perception problem.

In this transformative conversation, leadership expert Scott Doggett reveals how shifting your perspective on people can unlock unparalleled engagement, retention, and growth.

For decades, businesses have poured millions into engagement programs, yet disengagement persists. Scott, author of Priceless, challenges this approach, arguing that true revitalisation comes from seeing every individual as 'priceless' – not just a resource to be managed. Discover how to move beyond fear-based leadership, empower your people, and build a thriving, soulful organisation.

Additional Resources and Next Steps

- Explore Champion Academy and start building your Champion Mindset.

https://championmindsetcollective.com/academy

Key Takeaways

- Disengaged teams are not an HR problem, but a perception problem in leadership.

- Leaders perform best when they feel valued, respected, and cared for, not just managed.

- Seeing every team member as a 'priceless human being' fundamentally shifts how leaders treat them and impacts performance.

- Fear-based leadership leads to compliance; heart-led leadership inspires loyalty and full effort.

- True engagement and retention come from genuine relationships, not just programs or systems.

- Leading with humanity is the most strategic path to a thriving workplace, costing nothing but yielding immense returns.

Chapters

0:00 The Perception Problem in Leadership

1:41 Scott's Childhood: First Lessons in Leadership

2:49 Seeing People as 'Priceless' Begins

4:47 Best vs. Worst Boss: The Light Bulb Moment

7:36 How Perception Shifts Transform Leadership

9:11 Why 'Engagement Problems' Are Relationship Problems

Links

Guest: Scott Doggett

Website: nationalald.com

Scott’s LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/scottdoggett

NALD LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/nald

Instagram: instagram.com/nationalald2025

YouTube: youtube.com/@NationalALD2025

X: x.com/AcademyLD

Email: [email protected]

Scott’s NALD Profile: nationalald.com/post/scott-doggett

Promotional Links:

Free Leadership Assessment: nationalald.com/assessment

Free Leadership Resources: nationalald.com/services-2

Book – Priceless!: amazon.com/dp/B0FMFRCT5C

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 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