Lower mental fitness does not create more trouble in your life and business.

But, it creates more Double Trouble.

In this episode of Mental Fitness - The Gateway to success, we dive into the more subtle and unconscious trouble we crate on top of the trouble we already have.

We can't avoid trouble.

But, we can avoid double trouble through the awareness of it.

In this podcast episode, you will learn:

•   How and why we create double trouble
•   Where to focus to reduce and eliminate it
•   The beautiful foundation that drives all this

The book I briefly mention is the Quick Fix to Any Problem. Available on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00X6Y2ME4

Want to speed up your own journey of getting rid of double trouble?

Message me or email: [email protected]

#MentalFitness #Freedom #Happiness

A high flying business life with all the trimmings came to an abrupt stop for Chip Scholz. A stroke and having to relearn how to move, to speak and to read changed everything.

In our podcast conversation, Chip shares how wood turning helped him recover and re-invent himself to health, writing books and becoming an executive coach.

We talk about the role of mental fitness in it all and the importance of staying curious, present and patient.

Chip also introduces us to the green character from the 1950s: Gumby and the term Semper Gumby which is about staying flexible in business.

And here the books that Chip refers to:

Being Wrong by Kathryn Schultz,

From Strength to Strength by Arthur C Brooks

The Second Mountain by David Brooks.  

Check out Chip’s own books on Amazon:

Every Dog Has Its Day  https://a.co/d/0huQdkPE

Small Decisions, Big Shifts  https://a.co/d/06TwM9qt

For more on Chip Scholz and to connect:

FB: https://www.facebook.com/Chippturns

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

Website: https://www.scholzandassociates.com

Want to be a guest on Mental Fitness - the Gateway to Success? Send Mikal Nielsen a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/mentalfitness

#MentalFitness #PersonalGrowth #Freedom

In this episode of Mental Fitness - the Gateway to Success, we dive into where and how mental fitness relates to mental health.

I share my personal view on the way the term ‘Mental Health' is used these days.

And I share a very personal story of my biggest mental health issue - depression - and how I rid myself of it using mental fitness.

I dive into the role the mind plays in mental health issues and why - to me - mental fitness is critically important in dealing with those issues.

If you want to explore this in more depth with me, email me at [email protected]

#MentalFitness #MentalHealth #PersonalGrowth

In this episode, I sit down with Katharine Chestnut for the raw, reflective and inspiring story of her life, from corporate ‘kick ass’ to meditation facilitator via an abusive marriage, motherhood and burnout.

Although this conversation with Katharine is of value to anyone, I feel it speaks in particular to women in business.

Topics we cover:

• Regrets... putting them it right place
• Emotions... using them for what they are made for
• Meditation Snacking... the way forward
• Mental Fitness... the key role it plays in both ups and downs 

Check out Katharine's books and other valuable services she provides here: https://katharinechestnut.com/

Connect with her on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drumbabe/

Want to be a guest on Mental Fitness - the Gateway to Success? Send me a message on PodMatch here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/mentalfitness

In this episode I share something I’ve had a lot of success with — both personally and as a coach: Meditation Snacking.

I walk through my 30+ year meditation journey and the simple shift that changed everything for me.

We explore:
• What meditation really is
• The essence and true purpose of it
• Why most people believe it’s good for them… yet still don’t do it
• How surprisingly easy and quick it can be

Plus, as always, we look at how this ties directly into mental fitness — and why it delivers a powerful double benefit.

If you’d like personal guidance with meditation snacking, get in touch: [email protected]

In this inspiring episode of Mental Fitness – the Gateway to Success, I sit down with Holly Porter — serial entrepreneur, mum, author of 12 books, Long COVID survivor, and someone who has lived through a near-death experience.

Holly shares how extreme adversity completely reshaped the way she lives and leads. We dig into:

• How to stay centered when life and business feel overwhelmingly busy
• The quiet power of purpose (even when you don’t fully know what it is yet)
• A healthier, more sustainable definition of success
• Where mental fitness fits into leadership, parenting, and building a meaningful life
• Finding inner peace, joy, and happiness — while also facing the hard, messy parts we usually avoid

Holly is refreshingly honest about both the breakthroughs and the struggles. This conversation is packed with practical wisdom for anyone navigating high pressure, recovery, or the desire to build a life and business that actually feels good.

🔗 Holly’s latest passion project: https://internationalretreatassociation.com/
📚 Her books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B06XC3LCFM
💼 Connect with Holly on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hollyporter

Want to be a guest on Mental Fitness – the Gateway to Success?
Message Mikal Nielsen on PodMatch: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/mentalfitness

#MentalFitness #Leadership #Purpose #Entrepreneurship #NearDeathExperience #LongCOVID #PersonalGrowth

In this episode we dive into The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni and explore how a lack of mental fitness fuels every one of those dysfunctions.

You’ll discover how growing mental fitness — in both the team and the team leader — transforms those same dysfunctions into powerful strengths that drive real success and the outcomes you actually want.

This episode builds directly on Episode 50, where we explored the importance of building great team cultures.
Missed it? Catch it here: https://youtu.be/-Sd1aNoGYRY

The practical field guide I mention (packed with tools for working with the dysfunctions) is:
Overcoming the Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni.

Got specific questions or want to explore how this applies to your team? Email us at [email protected] — we’d love to hear from you.

#TeamCulture #MentalFitness #Leadership #FiveDysfunctions #PatrickLencioni #TeamPerformance

As we head into the 2nd inning (year 2) of this podcast, we start with a very different and candid guest episode with Steve Barton.

We get into the deeper stuff - the deeper essence of being a human being - while still operating in the world of running a business, being married and growing a family.

Steve shares openly - and humourishly - about his journey of ups and downs, massively growing a business, discovering the F word and how that changed everything.

And, of course, we relate all that to mental fitness and how it impacts outcomes.

In our conversation, Steve guides me through a powerful process he calls “The GAME of TEN”. Here the steps:

1. I am Ten
2. I'm doing the best that I can with the awareness I have
3. I'm always right with the awareness I have
4. I am enough
5. I do enough
6. I have enough

Like most of my guests, Steve and I met on PodMatch, the dating app for podcasters and guests. If you - or someone you know - want to be a guest on this podcast, connect with me on PodMatch here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/mentalfitness

To learn more about Steve Barton and access the book he wrote with his son, here the details:

Book Link:

https://www.amazon.com/Father-Son-Aha-Moment-Happiness/dp/B09QP3KDBK

The Father The Son and The AHA Moment

"Tools For Helping You and Your Child develop a path To Happiness."

Website: www.stevebartoncoaching.com

LInkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/service-marketplace/projects/15194679164/

In this episode, I share a powerful real-world example from a conversation I had with a CEO just a few hours before recording — diving deep into what it actually takes to create and grow exceptional team cultures.

We explore how mental fitness plays a crucial role across every stage of cultural change, whether you’re operating at a small scale or transforming a large organization. I break down the natural resistance to change that every leader faces and, more importantly, where to focus your energy to overcome it.

Whether you lead a great team, a good one, an average one, or one that’s struggling — the fundamental key to improvement remains the same. This episode delivers practical insights you can apply immediately.

If you’re a leader ready to elevate your team culture and want to explore this personally in your own context, email me at [email protected] and we’ll set up a conversation.

From the baseball diamond to the stage and the mic, Tim Neiman has spent a lifetime mastering leadership, resilience, and mental toughness.

In this episode of Mental Fitness - The Gateway to Success, I sit down with award-winning baseball coach, speaker, author and podcaster Tim Neiman to explore how the lessons learned on the field directly translate to mental fitness and success in life.

We dive deep into:

• How not to talk to umpires (and why emotional control matters)
• Making tough decisions with players
• The evolution of maturing as a coach over decades
• An unexpected health scare that changed everything
• Connecting all of it back to mental fitness and personal growth

Tim also shares the inspiring story behind his own podcast, Straight Lines Podcast, and why staying aligned with your principles is everything. (I was honored to be a guest on his show just last week!)

Whether you’re a coach, athlete, leader, or someone working on your own mental game, this conversation is packed with insights and wisdom to ponder and implement.

Connect with Tim Neiman:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-neiman
• Website and Podcast: https://coachtimneiman.com/

🎙️ Want to be a guest on Mental Fitness - The Gateway to Success? Message Mikal Nielsen on PodMatch: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/mentalfitness

👉 Watch Tim’s episode with Mikal on his Straight Lines Podcast here: https://youtu.be/1Ar0B1aERIs?si=WgBW-AQ14GdThSn3