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

Thank you for an incredible first year! 🎉 In this special 1-year anniversary episode, I celebrate you — our listeners — and share one of the most transformative principles I live by and teach as a coach:

“Always seek to understand before seeking to be understood.”

I dive deep into why this simple yet profound phrase is so powerful in both personal and professional life. From navigating challenging family conversations (where I find it hardest to apply) to its critical role in social interactions and the workplace, this mindset shifts everything.

I also explore how it separates great leadership from mere management, and I connect it to my favorite coaching analogy: the GPS — you must first know your starting point before you can guide anyone effectively.

Whether you’re a leader, parent, partner, or someone who wants to improve your relationships and communication, this episode will give you practical insights you can apply immediately.

If this phrase or episode resonates with you, please share it with someone who needs to hear it. Thank you for being part of this journey — here’s to Year 2!

If you want to explore this in a more personal way, email me at [email protected].

In this educational episode of Mental Fitness - The Gateway to Success, my guest, Alan Lazaros, opens up about the dramatic turning points that transformed his life and business.

Alan shares the critical difference between his early success — which lacked deeper alignment — and the serious wake-up call that finally brought everything into focus. He reveals the three life-altering events that changed everything, including two major car accidents, as well as the pivotal moment he realized he was gifted — a realization that completely redefined how he approaches life and business.

To wrap up, Alan delivers three practical gems everyone can apply immediately to elevate their own success:

• Habit Tracking
• Who Do You Admire
• Taking The High Road

Whether you’re navigating setbacks, searching for alignment, or looking to level up your mindset and results, this conversation is filled with raw honesty, resilience, and actionable wisdom.

Connect with Alan Lazaros:

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/alan.lazaros
• Instagram: @alazaros88
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/alanlazarosllc
• YouTube: @NextLevelUniversity
• Website: nextleveluniverse.com

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

If you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe, and leave a review — it helps us bring more inspiring stories to you!

New episode every week.

In this powerful episode of Mental Fitness - The Gateway to Success, we’re tackling the hidden force behind procrastination, stress, anxiety, and frustration: the Shoulds.

You’ll discover:

• How “shoulds” quietly drain your energy and keep you stuck
• Why they hide in plain sight (and how to spot them)
• The crucial difference between internal and external shoulds
• A simple, highly effective countermeasure that actually works

And most importantly — what Mental Fitness has to do with all of it (hint: everything).

If you’ve been avoiding important tasks, feeling overwhelmed, pissed off, or anxious, there’s almost always a “should” at play. This episode will help you identify it, challenge it, and finally move from procrastination to productive action.

Stop letting invisible rules run your life. It’s time to say F*ck the Shoulds.

🎧 Tune in now and start reclaiming your energy and momentum.

If you want to explore this more deeply in your own life and business, email me at [email protected]

In this powerful and deeply honest episode of Mental Fitness – The Gateway to Success, Mikal Nielsen sits down with John Harper — founder of the international red light therapy company Lumaflex.

John shares his remarkable journey from facing the threat of jail time, struggling with mental fitness, and battling a brain tumor… to becoming a calm, confident entrepreneur who built a thriving global business. Through his own physical struggles and healing process, he discovered the transformative power of red light therapy — which led him to create high-quality red light therapy devices now used around the world.

This conversation is packed with raw insights on:

• Moving from mental chaos to calm confidence

• Taking calculated risks

• The critical importance of mental fitness

• And the simple yet profound philosophy that changed everything: “Slow Up?”

If you’re looking for inspiration, practical wisdom, and proof that it’s possible to turn your deepest struggles into your greatest success, this episode is a must-listen.

Connect with John Harper & Lumaflex:

• Website: www.lumaflex.com

• Instagram: @johngrahamfitness & @lumaflex

• LinkedIn: John Graham Harper

• X: @LumaflexBodyPro

• Facebook: John Graham Harper & Lumaflex

Want to be a guest on the show? Reach out to Mikal Nielsen on PodMatch: podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/mentalfitness

(Incredibly Results from 77,000+ Business Leaders)

What is most important for business owners and leaders — Mental Fitness or Physical Fitness?

I asked this question to over 77,000 business owners and leaders, and the results genuinely surprised me. In this episode, I reveal the clear winner, share the fascinating (and sometimes controversial) data behind it, and explain why the outcome left me both excited and frustrated.

I also dive deeper into the powerful relationship between mental and physical fitness — why they’re not actually in competition, and how the best leaders approach both. Plus, I answer some of the most interesting questions that came up during the research.

This episode references these two previous guest episodes:

•  EP19 with Clayton

•  EP37 with JD Tremblay

If you’re a leader who wants to develop Mental Fitness in yourself or across your organization, check out my Positive Intelligence profile here.

Interested in bringing Mental Fitness training into your team or company? Email me at [email protected]

In this powerful episode, Dutch-born former COO and CEO Arnold Beekes shares his bold vision for the future of leadership: Brain Athletes.

After decades at the top of multinational corporations managing up to 6,000 employees, Arnold walked away from traditional corporate life and the disillusionment of his home country, Holland. Now based in Paraguay, he’s on a mission to develop a new generation of leaders through his Better for All Leaders movement.

Arnold opens up about his personal transformation — moving from outer-world success to true inner-world mastery — and introduces the concept of Brain Athletes: leaders who train their minds with the same discipline elite athletes train their bodies.

Key Takeaways:

• How to shift your inner critic into your inner cheerleader

• Why helping others is essential for authentic leadership

• The power of staying curious in a fast-changing world

If you’re a leader, entrepreneur, or someone who wants to perform at a higher level mentally and emotionally, this episode will inspire and equip you with practical wisdom.

Connect with Arnold Beekes:

• Better for All Leaders → brainathletes.club

• Free Brain Health Community → skool.com/brain-fitness-7070

• Twitter/X: @ArnoldBeekes

• LinkedIn: Arnold Beekes

• YouTube: @ArnoldBeekes

• Instagram: @arnold.beekes

Mental Fitness: The Gateway To Success Podcast

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Let us know in the comments: Are you ready to become a Brain Athlete?

#Leadership #MentalFitness #BrainHealth #PersonalDevelopment #Entrepreneurship

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

Happy For No Reason: The Ultimate Human Desire

In this powerful episode of Mental Fitness: The Gateway to Success, we explore one of humanity’s deepest drives — the pursuit of happiness.

I reveal my core belief that happiness is not something we need to chase or earn — it is our natural state, our birthright, and the strongest hidden driver behind sustainable success.

You’ll discover the surprising answer to this key question:

What does happiness have to do with mental fitness?

My answer? Everything… and nothing.

I break down the powerful distinction between:

•  Happiness for a reason (conditional, fragile, and temporary)

•  Happiness for no reason (unconditional, resilient, and life-changing)

This episode draws deep inspiration from Marci Shimoff’s transformative book Happy for No Reason and shows you how cultivating “happy for no reason” dramatically strengthens your mental fitness, clarity, and leadership presence.

Whether you’re a business owner, leader, or anyone seeking more fulfillment, this conversation will challenge how you think about happiness and give you a new foundation for both personal joy and professional success