Manders Mindset

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What if the most important work you'll ever do... is the work no one else can see?

In this inspiring episode of Manders Mindset, host Amanda Russo welcomes back former Australian Special Forces commando, speaker, and founder of Breathwork In Bed, Tim Thomas, for a thought-provoking conversation about the invisible habits that shape our lives, the power of taking imperfect action, and why true transformation always begins from within.

Building on themes from Tim's first appearance, Amanda and Tim explore how the challenges you've overcome often become the greatest gift you can offer someone else. Together, they discuss why so many people feel stuck, how isolation quietly impacts mental health, and why reconnecting with yourself is often the first step toward creating meaningful change.

Throughout the conversation, Tim shares lessons from overcoming PTSD, explains the different personality archetypes that influence how we show up in the world, discusses the concept of becoming an "energetic millionaire," and reveals why the habits no one else sees are often the ones that determine every visible result. Amanda also reflects on her experiences traveling to Bali, embracing imperfect action, and learning that growth isn't about having everything figured out...it's about continuing to move forward.

💡 In this episode, listeners will learn:
💜 Why taking imperfect action creates more growth than waiting for the perfect moment.
🧠 How the invisible habits you practice every day shape the life you experience.
🌱 Why connection... to yourself and to others is one of the greatest foundations for healing.
✨ How understanding your natural tendencies can help you break old patterns and grow into the best version of yourself.
🤍 Why your greatest struggles may become the exact thing that helps someone else feel less alone.
🌬️ How breathwork can help create greater clarity, resilience, and inner peace.
🚀 Why investing in yourself first allows you to show up more fully in every area of your life.

⏰ Timeline Summary:
[1:15] Amanda shares why taking imperfect action has become one of the biggest lessons shaping both her life and podcast.
[4:00] Amanda reflects on traveling to Bali, embracing uncertainty, and discovering the value of imperfect action.
[9:00] Tim introduces personality archetypes and explains how understanding them can reveal the patterns that keep us stuck.
[21:00] The conversation explores PTSD, isolation, human connection, and why feeling understood is often where healing begins.
[33:30] Tim shares the life-changing question that transformed his perspective and inspired his life's work.
[44:30] Becoming an "energetic millionaire," investing in yourself daily, and using Breathwork to reconnect with your inner resources.
[56:45] Why performance is a visible result of an invisible process and how unseen habits create the results everyone notices.

To Connect with Amanda:

Schedule a 1:1 Virtual Breathwork Session HERE

📸 Instagram: @thebreathinggoddess

Follow & Support the Podcast:

📱Instagram: @MandersMindset
👥 Join the Manders Mindset Facebook Community HERE!

These links are for those people who want immediate and natural sleep improvement; They’re for Tim’s -  ‘Breathwork in Bed’ app.

The app will guide you to sleep with peace, and out of bed with power. Enjoy it for 28 days of great sleep for free. 

Apple link: https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-store/id6575362285?pt=127061224&ct=BIB50K&mt=8  

Google Link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.breathworkinbed.bibsleepapp20&hl=en

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What if the hardest thing you've ever faced became the very thing that revealed how strong you truly are?

In this episode of Manders Mindset, Amanda Russo sits down with author, speaker, coach, and founder of Ubi Global, Laura Bratton, for a heartfelt conversation about resilience, self-compassion, grief, and discovering the courage to move forward after life changes in an instant.

At just nine years old, Laura was diagnosed with a rare eye disease and told she would eventually lose her sight. Over the following years, she navigated the emotional challenges of losing her vision, grieving the life she once knew, and learning to embrace a new reality. Together, Amanda and Laura explore how those experiences shaped Laura's mindset and ultimately led her to dedicate her life to helping others navigate change with grit and gratitude.

The conversation dives into identity, anxiety, healing, mindfulness, self-worth, and the importance of validating your emotions instead of pushing them aside. Laura shares why courage isn't about pretending everything is okay, how gratitude can exist alongside grief, and why every person is capable of finding strength they never knew they had.

💡 In this episode, listeners will learn:
💜 Why true courage begins with acknowledging your pain instead of avoiding it.
🌱 How grief, healing, and gratitude can coexist.
🧠 Why your mindset is one of the few things you can always control.
✨ How practicing self-compassion can transform the way you respond to life's challenges.
🤍 The impact of feeling invisible and how to rebuild your sense of self-worth.
🚀 Why everyone has more resilience than they realize.
💫 Why validating your emotions is often the first step toward lasting growth.

⏰ Timeline Summary:
[2:10] Laura shares her childhood and the early signs that she was beginning to lose her vision.
[8:45] Receiving a life-changing diagnosis and how her family navigated the uncertainty.
[17:30] Growing up with vision loss, adapting to school, and struggling with feeling different.
[27:40] Feeling invisible in high school and rebuilding self-worth through self-compassion.
[38:15] College, mindfulness, and discovering the power of mindset and advocacy.
[49:20] Laura explains the balance between grit and gratitude and why both are essential for healing.
[58:40] Writing her book, helping others navigate change, and the legacy she hopes to leave behind.

To Connect with Amanda:

Schedule a 1:1 Virtual Breathwork Session HERE

📸 Instagram: @thebreathinggoddess

Follow & Support the Podcast:

📱Instagram: @MandersMindset
👥 Join the Manders Mindset Facebook Community HERE!

To Connect with Laura:

Website: https://www.laurabratton.com/

Feedback on the show? Send us a message!

What happens when life strips away the identity that once defined everything?

In this powerful conversation, Brian Nugent shares the remarkable journey that took him from professional football to becoming a performance coach after facing life-changing adversity. Along the way, he opens up about the hidden pressures of elite performance, navigating burnout, and rebuilding purpose after major setbacks.

From surviving septic shock and recovering from a devastating stroke to discovering a deeper understanding of resilience, discipline, and healing, Brian offers powerful insights on overcoming life's greatest challenges. This conversation is filled with perspective, practical wisdom, and a reminder that even the hardest seasons can become the foundation for a stronger future.

💡 In this episode, listeners will discover:

🏈 The hidden mental and emotional cost of performing at an elite level
🧠 Why identity can unravel after a major life or career transition
💪 How discipline, not motivation became the foundation for recovery
❤️ Lessons learned from surviving septic shock and a life-altering stroke
🌍 The powerful perspective shift that came from serving in Kenya
🔥 Why burnout often develops long before anyone notices the signs
🌱 How resilience is built through small, consistent actions during life's hardest moments
✨ What it truly means to reclaim purpose, health, and personal power after adversity

⏰ Timeline Summary:

[2:14] Brian reflects on the qualities that define him and how life experiences shaped his mindset.
[6:41] Growing up in a competitive household and the lessons learned from childhood.
[13:48] The reality of becoming a professional football player and learning to manage immense pressure.
[20:23] A life-changing trip to Kenya and the powerful lesson that shifted Brian's perspective forever.
[26:48] Life after football, navigating an identity crisis, and rebuilding confidence after retirement.
[39:17] The journey from personal trainer to performance coach and helping high-achieving women overcome burnout.
[52:04] Surviving septic shock, recovering from a major stroke, and the discipline required to reclaim life one step at a time.

To Connect with Amanda:

Schedule a 1:1 Virtual Breathwork Session HERE

📸 Instagram: @thebreathinggoddess

Follow & Support the Podcast:

📱Instagram: @MandersMindset
👥 Join the Manders Mindset Facebook Community HERE!

To Connect with Brian:

http://www.briannugent.ca

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What happens after you begin finding your voice?

In Part 2 of Amanda Russo's conversation with visibility and embodiment coach, speaker, author, and Dance to Heal podcast host Jenny C. Cohen, the conversation continues with an even deeper look into healing, resilience, and the life-changing lessons that emerged through some of Jenny's greatest challenges.

Jenny shares her breast cancer journey, the realities of navigating menopause, chronic stress, and women's health, while also opening up about parenting through difficult seasons, supporting her children unconditionally, and learning to advocate for herself after years of putting everyone else first. Together, Amanda and Jenny explore how our hardest experiences can become catalysts for growth, why healing is an ongoing process, and what it truly means to choose yourself without guilt.

From difficult diagnoses to personal transformation, this conversation is filled with wisdom, hope, and practical reminders that healing isn't about becoming someone new—it's about returning to who you've always been.

Sometimes the greatest act of courage isn't surviving what happened to you—it's deciding that your story can become someone else's hope. ✨

💡 In this episode, listeners will discover:

💜 Jenny's breast cancer journey and the lessons it taught her about resilience
🩺 Why women need to become stronger advocates for their own health
🌱 How boundaries, self-worth, and healing continue to evolve over time
❤️ The power of supporting loved ones through life's biggest transitions
🧠 Why therapy and self-awareness can transform the healing process
✨ How embracing authenticity creates confidence and lasting change
🌟 The importance of choosing yourself without guilt

⏰ Timeline Summary:

[2:00] Jenny shares her breast cancer diagnosis and how it changed her perspective on life
[8:15] Women's health, menopause, and why self-advocacy matters
[17:20] Navigating IVF, motherhood, and raising her children through life's challenges
[28:10] Supporting her children with unconditional love and acceptance
[39:40] The role therapy played in healing childhood trauma and complex PTSD
[50:15] Turning adversity into purpose and embracing visibility with confidence
[57:30] Jenny's final reflections on resilience, healing, and living authentically

To Connect with Amanda:

Schedule a 1:1 Virtual Breathwork Session HERE

📸 Instagram: @thebreathinggoddess

Follow & Support the Podcast:

📱Instagram: @MandersMindset
👥 Join the Manders Mindset Facebook Community HERE!

To Connect with Jenny: 

Website: https://movetobloom.com/

Feedback on the show? Send us a message!

What if the parts of your story you've spent years trying to overcome... are actually the very things that help you find your voice?

In this powerful Part 1 conversation, host Amanda Russo sits down with visibility and embodiment coach, speaker, author, and Dance to Heal podcast host Jenny C. Cohen for an honest discussion about childhood trauma, identity, resilience, healing, and learning to reclaim your voice after a lifetime of putting others first.

Jenny shares her remarkable journey from immigrating to the United States as a young child without speaking English to navigating cultural expectations, people-pleasing, family dynamics, motherhood, breast cancer, and the experiences that shaped who she is today. Together, Amanda and Jenny explore how childhood experiences influence adulthood, why boundaries are essential for healing, and what it truly means to stop living in survival mode.

The conversation also dives into generational patterns, therapy, trauma recovery, self-worth, parenting, and the courage to become the person you were always meant to be. Through deeply personal stories, Jenny offers hope that healing is possible, no matter where your journey begins.

This conversation is a reminder that your past may shape you, but it doesn't have to define you.

Sometimes finding your voice begins by finally believing that it deserves to be heard.

💡 In this episode, listeners will discover:

💜 How childhood experiences can shape self-worth well into adulthood
🧠 Why people-pleasing often begins as a survival strategy
🌱 The importance of boundaries in the healing process
✨ How finding your voice can transform every area of your life
❤️ The role therapy can play in processing trauma and reclaiming your identity
🌍 Jenny's journey from immigrating to the United States to becoming a visibility coach
🌟 Why healing starts with giving yourself permission to take up space

⏰ Timeline Summary:

[2:00] Jenny shares who she is at her core and what it means to be a "conduit"
 [8:30] Growing up in Taiwan, immigrating to the United States, and adapting to a new culture
 [18:00] Childhood experiences, family expectations, and how people-pleasing became a survival strategy
 [29:30] Breast cancer, boundaries, and learning to finally use her voice
 [36:30] Starting first grade without speaking English and adapting through resilience
 [44:30] Finding dance, college, occupational therapy, and discovering her passion for helping others
 [54:30] Relationships, healing from trauma, and meeting the man who would become her husband

To Connect with Amanda:

Schedule a 1:1 Virtual Breathwork Session HERE

📸 Instagram: @thebreathinggoddess

Follow & Support the Podcast:

📱Instagram: @MandersMindset
👥 Join the Manders Mindset Facebook Community HERE!

To Connect with Jenny: 

Website: https://movetobloom.com/

Feedback on the show? Send us a message!

What if the things you've spent your entire life searching for were never outside of you to begin with?

In this deeply vulnerable episode of Manders Mindset, host Amanda Russo sits down with speaker, author, coach, and founder of Angel Goddess Healing, Shannon Curtis, for a powerful conversation about trauma, addiction, grief, forgiveness, healing, and the journey back to self.

Shannon opens up about the experiences that shaped her life, from childhood struggles and multiple miscarriages to a seven-year addiction to prescription pain medication and the life-changing decision to seek help. Together, Amanda and Shannon explore what happens when we stop running from our pain, how curiosity can be more powerful than judgment, and why true healing begins when we remember who we are beneath the stories we've collected along the way.

The conversation dives into forgiveness, self-love, spirituality, inner child healing, plant medicine, intuition, and the profound realization that so many of us spend years searching for something we've carried within us all along.

This episode is a reminder that you are not your mistakes, your trauma, your addiction, or your past.
At your core, you are love.

💡 In this episode, listeners will discover:

💜 How childhood experiences can shape identity and self-worth
🧠 The connection between unprocessed grief, trauma, and addiction
🌱 Why curiosity is one of the most powerful tools for healing
✨ How meditation and awareness can transform your relationship with yourself
💔 Shannon's perspective on forgiveness and reclaiming personal power
🔄 The importance of remembering who you are beneath your stories
🌟 Why healing doesn't have to mean suffering
❤️ How self-love creates the foundation for lasting transformation

⏰ Timeline Summary:

[4:05] Childhood struggles in school, thinking differently, and finding an outlet through music
[13:03] Moving across the country, becoming a massage therapist, and following her calling to help others heal
[16:36] Multiple miscarriages, unprocessed grief, and the emotional pain that changed everything
[22:47] The progression of addiction, hitting rock bottom, and the decision to seek treatment
[31:23] Compassion, curiosity, and why people often need love the most when they're struggling
[33:00] Shannon's forgiveness method and the process of reclaiming your power
[43:24] Her transformative Ibogaine experience and the spiritual insights that followed
[56:59] The one law Shannon would create to change the world.

To Connect with Amanda:

Schedule a 1:1 Virtual Breathwork Session HERE

📸 Instagram: @thebreathinggoddess

Follow & Support the Podcast:

📱Instagram: @MandersMindset
👥 Join the Manders Mindset Facebook Community HERE!

To Connect with Shannon: 

Website: https://www.angelgoddesshealing.com/

Get Shannon's Children's Book:  No More Monsters Under the Bed

https://www.booksamillion.com/p/No-More-Monsters-Under-Bed/Shannon-Curtis/9798218735326

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What if the dream you've spent your entire life chasing is no longer the dream you're meant to live?

In this episode of Manders Mindset, Amanda Russo sits down with Shannon Russell, business coach, speaker, author, and host of the Second Act Success podcast, for a conversation about career transitions, entrepreneurship, identity, and having the courage to reinvent yourself.

Shannon shares her journey from landing her dream job at MTV and spending 16 years in the television industry to walking away from a successful career to create a life that aligned more closely with her values and priorities. Together, Amanda and Shannon explore what happens when your definition of success changes, how to navigate the fear that comes with starting over, and why your career is only one small part of who you are.

The conversation dives into motherhood, entrepreneurship, transferable skills, following intuition, and learning how to trust yourself through life's transitions. Shannon also shares how a simple idea sparked her first business, how that led to coaching women through their own career pivots, and why it's never too late to create a second act.

Whether you're feeling stuck in your current career, considering starting a business, or simply wondering what else may be possible for your life, this episode offers both practical advice and encouragement to take the next step.

💡 In this episode, listeners will discover:

💜 Why your career is not your identity
🎬 How Shannon went from MTV producer to entrepreneur and business coach
🌱 The importance of allowing your dreams to evolve over time
✨ Why it's never too late to start a second act
🧠 How to identify transferable skills you may be overlooking
🚀 The value of learning before you leap into a new opportunity
🤍 Why giving yourself grace is essential during times of transition
📚 How accountability helped Shannon launch a podcast and write a book

⏰ Timeline Summary:

[2:00] Shannon shares her childhood dream of working in television and her journey to MTV
[7:00] Moving between New York and Los Angeles while building a successful career in TV
[12:00] Motherhood, changing priorities, and realizing her dream career no longer aligned with the life she wanted
[18:00] Leaving television and navigating the uncertainty of starting over
[24:00] Starting her first business and overcoming the fear of entrepreneurship
[31:00] How Second Act Success was born and why Shannon became passionate about helping women reinvent themselves
[38:00] Why your career is not your identity and how to embrace change without losing yourself
[44:00] Learning before you leap, transferable skills, and practical advice for career pivots
[48:00] Writing her book, giving yourself grace, and Shannon's final words of encouragement

To Connect with Amanda:

Schedule a 1:1 Virtual Breathwork Session HERE

📸 Instagram: @thebreathinggoddess

Follow & Support the Podcast:

📱Instagram: @MandersMindset
👥 Join the Manders Mindset Facebook Community HERE!

To Connect with Shannon:

Website: secondactsuccess.co

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

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

Feedback on the show? Send us a message!

What if one of the most common pieces of advice we've ever been given isn't actually true?

In this thought-provoking episode of Manders Mindset, host Amanda Russo sits down with author Adam Brownlie to explore one of life's biggest questions: Can we actually choose to be happy?

Drawing from years of research and the philosophy behind his book Happypedia, Adam challenges many of the beliefs society holds about happiness, emotions, forgiveness, and human behavior. Together, Amanda and Adam dive into the science of happiness, the six pillars that contribute to wellbeing, and why understanding the root cause of suffering may be more important than simply trying to "think positive."

The conversation explores hope, novelty, forgiveness, free will, personal responsibility, and the fascinating idea that emotions may not be as much of a choice as many people believe. Adam also shares his unique journey from growing up on a farm in Australia to becoming an author dedicated to helping others better understand happiness and the human experience.

Whether listeners agree with Adam's perspective or find themselves questioning it, this episode offers a fresh way of thinking about happiness and what it truly means to live a fulfilling life.

This conversation is a reminder that happiness isn't always about forcing positivity.

Sometimes it's about understanding ourselves more deeply, letting go of what we can't control, and focusing on what we can.

💡 In this episode, listeners will discover:

🧠 Why Adam believes happiness is not a choice

✨ The six pillars of happiness and how they impact wellbeing

🌱 Why novelty may be one of the most overlooked ingredients for happiness

💭 How thoughts influence emotional states

🤝 The connection between forgiveness and happiness

🔄 Why hope plays a critical role in mental and emotional wellbeing

💜 How understanding suffering can help people navigate difficult seasons of life

⏰ Timeline Summary:

[2:00] Adam shares his unique upbringing on a farm and how it shaped his perspective on life

[8:30] The journey from farming and business to becoming an author

[14:00] The research behind Happypedia and the six pillars of happiness

[20:00] Why novelty may be one of the most overlooked keys to happiness

[28:00] Can we actually choose to be happy? Adam challenges conventional wisdom

[39:00] Hope, positive thinking, and navigating difficult situations

[48:00] Forgiveness, happiness, and Adam's biggest realization about human behavior

To Connect with Amanda:

Schedule a 1:1 Virtual Breathwork Session HERE

📸 Instagram: @thebreathinggoddess

Follow & Support the Podcast:

📱Instagram: @MandersMindset
👥 Join the Manders Mindset Facebook Community HERE!

To Connect with Adam: 

Website: https://adambrownlie.com.au

Feedback on the show? Send us a message!

What if one of the most powerful things you could do for yourself wasn’t helping someone else… but learning how to stop abandoning yourself?

In this heartfelt episode of Manders Mindset, host Amanda Russo sits down with former bodybuilding pro turned functional health and fitness coach Allie Cass for a powerful conversation about self-worth, resilience, grief, identity, and the courage to choose yourself.

Allie opens up about a toxic teenage relationship that shaped much of her early life, sharing what it was like to feel responsible for someone else's wellbeing while slowly losing sight of her own. Together, Amanda and Allie explore the difficult lessons that come from loving someone who refuses help, the importance of boundaries, and the journey of coming back home to yourself after years of self-abandonment.

The conversation also dives into grief, healing, mindset, athletics, confidence, and the experiences that ultimately led Allie into the world of health and coaching. From losing both of her parents to cancer to navigating her own personal growth journey through therapy, fitness, and self-discovery, Allie shares the moments that taught her how to trust herself, embrace change, and create a life she truly loves.

This conversation is a reminder that you can care deeply about others without carrying responsibilities that were never yours to hold.

Sometimes the most loving thing you can do is choose yourself.

💡 In this episode, listeners will discover:

💡 In this episode, listeners will discover:
💜 How self-abandonment can quietly show up in relationships
🧠 Why you can't help someone who doesn't want help
🌱 The difference between caring for someone and being responsible for them
💔 How grief can resurface years after a loss
✨ Why confidence is built through keeping promises to yourself
🔄 The role identity plays in lasting personal transformation
🌟 Why creating a meaningful life starts now, not someday

⏰ Timeline Summary:

[2:00] Allie reflects on who she is at her core and her desire to experience life fully
[14:15] A teenage relationship that led to self-abandonment and emotional responsibility
[22:30] Learning that you can't help someone who doesn't want help
[29:15] College, grief, and becoming the "strong one"
[35:00] Losing her mother and the experience that sparked her passion for health
[49:00] Discovering bodybuilding and finding confidence through challenge
[54:00] From client to coach and helping women transform their lives
[57:30] Confidence, identity shifts, and creating lasting change

To Connect with Amanda:

Schedule a 1:1 Virtual Breathwork Session HERE

📸 Instagram: @thebreathinggoddess

Follow & Support the Podcast:

📱Instagram: @MandersMindset
👥 Join the Manders Mindset Facebook Community HERE!

To Connect with Allie:

Website: www.alliecasshealth.com

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alliecasshealth/ 

Feedback on the show? Send us a message!

What if happiness isn't something you're born with... but something you can learn?

In this deeply honest and inspiring episode of Manders Mindset, Amanda sits down with author, keynote speaker, happiness coach, and former business executive Todd Patkin for a powerful conversation about mental health, perfectionism, burnout, and the habits that create a truly fulfilling life.

From being bullied as a child and struggling with homesickness to building a $100 million business, Todd spent much of his life chasing achievement, validation, and success. On the outside, he appeared to have everything but behind the scenes, the pressure of perfectionism and relentless ambition eventually led him to a complete mental and emotional breakdown.

Together, Todd and Amanda explore the life-changing lessons that emerged from his darkest season, including how he rebuilt his mindset, learned to quiet his inner critic, and developed a practical framework for creating greater happiness, purpose, and peace. Todd shares the 12 principles that transformed his life and explains why meaningful relationships, self-compassion, gratitude, and living in the present may be far more important than any achievement or accolade.

This episode is filled with heartfelt stories, powerful perspective shifts, and actionable wisdom for anyone who feels stuck in the pursuit of "more" and is ready to create a happier, more meaningful life.

💡 In this episode, listeners will learn:
🧠 Why perfectionism can quietly destroy happiness
💔 How burnout and mental health struggles can become a turning point for growth
🏃 Why exercise is one of the most powerful tools for emotional well-being
💭 How negative self-talk shapes self-worth and daily happiness
🌱 The importance of learning to love yourself without achievement
👥 Why the people around you influence your mindset more than you realize
🙏 How gratitude can completely shift your perspective on life
✨ Why happiness is a skill that can be learned and practiced

Timeline Summary:
03:15 – Growing up with bullying, perfectionism, and homesickness
09:45 – Choosing McGill over UPenn and redefining success
16:30 – Building a thriving family business and leading through mindset
22:45 – The breakdown that changed everything
30:20 – Why exercise became the foundation of happiness
37:15 – Learning to be kinder to yourself
44:10 – The power of positive relationships and environment
50:15 – Gratitude, giving, and living in the present
57:00 – Todd's biggest lessons on happiness, self-worth, and legacy

To Connect with Amanda:

Schedule a 1:1 Virtual Breathwork Session HERE

📸 Instagram: @thebreathinggoddess

Follow & Support the Podcast:

📱Instagram: @MandersMindset
👥 Join the Manders Mindset Facebook Community HERE!