MINDSET ZONE

"You will find the critical points in your life where you defy expectations."

-Ana Melikian

In this episode, host Ana Melikian delves into her personal and inspiring journey of defying expectations, both self-imposed and those set by society. Ana shares fascinating stories from her life, from her experience as a speaker with an accent in three languages, to more profound experiences like dealing with dyslexia and overcoming serious health challenges like inflammatory breast cancer.

Ana reflects on her upbringing during the Carnation Revolution in Portugal, her academic challenges and triumphs, and professional choices that led her to move across continents for love and pursue her passion in a new country. Each story highlights how she surpassed the expected limitations and societal norms to redefine success on her own terms.

She encourages listeners to examine their own life narratives through the lens of defying expectations, whether it be tackling bias about professional capabilities based on physical attributes, or pushing back against cultural stereotypes. Ana's message is clear – embracing a mindset of defiance can lead to extraordinary personal growth and accomplishment.

This episode is a call to listeners to engage in self-reflection, identify their own areas of 'expectation defiance', and perhaps challenge a few limiting beliefs along the way.

Let's dive in!

This week on The Mindset Zone:

00:00:00 Introduction and Ana's Mission

00:01:04 Defying expectations in language and speech

00:02:10 Personal history and the impact of the Carnation Revolution

00:03:46 Overcoming dyslexia and academic challenges

00:06:36 Defying gender norms in childhood and adolescence

00:07:55 Multilingual achievements and academic pursuits abroad

00:08:44 Personal decisions leading to life in the USA

00:10:07 Battling and overcoming inflammatory breast cancer

00:11:05 Reflecting on interviews from the podcast that defy expectations

00:14:16 The PIE method – Pause, Increase self-awareness, Experiment with defying expectations

00:15:31 Additional resources and how to connect with Ana

Meet Your Host:

Ana Melikian, Ph.D., advises leaders on how to amplify impact while avoiding burnout. She is passionate about teaching others how to unlock their human potential using simple and powerful approaches such as her P.I.E. method.

𝐖𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐭?

Set a time to speak with Ana HERE and learn about your (or your team's) burnout risk and how to enhance well-being, effectiveness, and teamwork!

Connect with:

Ana on LinkedIn

Resources:

Embracing Tree Hugging Capitalism with Nicole Fende

Harnessing Positivity for Success: Chris Toledo's Journey from Basketball to Motivational Speaking

Push Through Mindset Shift with Sue Stevenson

Related episodes:

Expand What’s Possible

"Colors evoke emotions conditioned by personal associations, our culture, and historical context."

-Ana Melikian

In this episode, our host, Ana Melikian, immerses herself in the vibrant world of hues as she unravels the significant role colors play in our lives. Like her cherished collection of scarves, Ana views colors as a means to transform our appearance, mood, and mindset.

She delves into how colors are a silent language influencing our emotions and shaping our actions, an awareness meticulously capitalized on by advertising and marketing industries. Ana highlights the strategic choice of colors by brands to evoke specific feelings—red communicates energy and urgency, while blue is synonymous with trust and calmness, to name a few.

Ana turns to the cultural and historical journey of color perceptions, such as the shifting gender connotations of pink or the power of purple. The episode is a color palette urging audiences to become more self-aware of their color choices. It's an invitation to pause, reflect, and maybe step out of your chromatic comfort zone to see how it changes your feelings and actions.

Are you ready to explore the power of colors in the zone where mindset matters?

Let's dive in!

This week on The Mindset Zone:

00:03 Introduction to the Power of Colors

01:24 Significance of Colors in Branding

02:18 Ana's Personal Connection to Red in Her Brand

03:35 The Symbolism Behind Different Colors

04:39 How Brands Can Shape Color Meanings

06:03 Historical Context and Evolution of Color Meanings

07:30 Colors and Their Significance in Eastern Traditions

09:02 The Personal Impact of Color Choices in Daily Life

11:37 The importance of Color in Business Environments

Meet Your Host:

Ana Melikian, Ph.D., advises leaders on how to amplify impact while avoiding burnout. She is passionate about teaching others how to unlock their human potential using simple and powerful approaches such as her P.I.E. method.

𝐖𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐭?

Set a time to speak with Ana HERE and learn about your (or your team's) burnout risk and how to enhance well-being, effectiveness, and teamwork!

Connect with:

Ana on LinkedIn

Resources:

Phoenix Art Museum Exhibition: The Power of Pink

Related episodes:

Expand What’s Possible

"We have to be able to see the space between the stimulus and the response."

-Ana Melikian, Ph.D.

In this episode of Mindset Zone, Authors Unite founder Tyler Wagner interviews Ana Melikian, PhD, for a transformative discussion on the systemic approach to human potential and the management of burnout. Ana introduces the listeners to her profound PIE method, emphasizing the power of pause, increased self-awareness, and a mindset geared towards experimentation.

Tyler and Ana delve into practical strategies for fostering sustainable work environments, highlight the continuum between burnout and full engagement, and touch upon the indispensable role sleep plays in maintaining optimal functioning.

Ana candidly shares her personal journey from psychology to coaching, revealing how her battle with cancer triggered a paradigm shift that led her to work smarter, not harder, and profoundly maximize her impact.

With an array of insights spanning from the psychological frameworks employed in therapy to the significance of connecting within larger systems, this episode is an enlightening roadmap for anyone looking to enhance their personal and organizational well-being.

Join us for a conversation that promises to uplift, inspire, and equip you with the tools necessary to thrive in today's fast-paced world while staying grounded in purpose and balance. Remember, when you feel stuck or overwhelmed, hope is available, and asking for help is a courageous step.

Ready to explore the intersection of individual growth and systemic synergy to prevent burnout and optimize your impact?

Let's dive in!

This week on The Mindset Zone:

00:07 Introduction and Welcome

01:20 Ana Melikian's Journey from Psychology to Coaching

03:45 The PIE Method – Pause, Increase Awareness, Experiment

05:30 Strategies for Organizations to Prevent Burnout

07:10 The Importance of Sleep and Managing Work Intensity

09:05 Ana’s Personal Experience with Cancer and Redefining Work

11:15 The Continuum of Burnout and Full Engagement

13:40 Tools and Frameworks in Psychotherapy

15:20 Tapping into Human Potential through Connection and Systems

17:50 Concluding Thoughts and Further Resources

Ana Melikian Journey to Maximizing Impact Qoute

The interviewer:

Tyler Wagner is the founder of Authors Unite, a publishing company that allows business owners to elevate their message through the power of authorship.

Learn more about his work at:

authorsunite.com

The Tyler Wagner Show

*This episode is rebroadcast here at the MINDSET ZONE® with explicit consent from Tyler Wagner, the host of the “The Tyler Wagner Show” podcast.

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"You can find nature everywhere if you look. The the impetus for this tree hugging capitalism was, yes, protecting nature, but also valuing people."

-Nicole Fende

In this episode, Ana Melikian is joined by Nicole Fende, a former CFO and investment banker turned business coach for creatives. Co-founder of Creatopia, Nicole, shares her refreshing perspective on "tree-hugging capitalism," where making money goes hand in hand with caring for nature and championing social causes and creativity.

Nicole delves into how her background in hardcore numbers intertwined with her love for nature led her to reshape the concept of success in the business realm. The pair discuss fair trade practices, the undervalued importance of nurturing people and the planet, and the potentially transformative impact of these practices on the environment and on business values.

Nicole emphasizes the unique role AI plays for creatives, suggesting it will enhance the value of human creations, while Ana underscores the necessity of human voice in steering AI and business in a direction that uncovers and uplifts human potential.

Nicole shares the inception of Creatopia, a creative community and resource haven founded to help creatives achieve sustainable prosperity without sacrificing their artistic integrity. Highlighting the power of community-based business models, Nicole illustrates that profits do not have to be at odds with values.

This episode also comes with a special quiz crafted by Nicole Fende, designed to identify what's blocking your creativity.

Let's dive in!

This week on The Mindset Zone:

01:29 Introducing Nicole Fende: From Corporate to Creativity Champion

02:05 Exploring Tree Hugging Capitalism

02:54 Nicole's Journey: From Numbers to Nature

05:49 The Impact of Fair Trade and Conscious Capitalism

08:49 Transitioning to Support Creatives and Small Businesses

10:19 Launching Creatopia: A New Venture for Creative Prosperity

18:18 The Future of Creativity in the Age of AI

21:26 Harnessing Creativity to Combat Stress and Burnout

25:53 Creatopia: A Haven for Creatives and Their Audience

27:59 Final Thoughts and Resources

Meet the Guest:

Nicole Fende, aka The Numbers Whisperer®, helps creatives achieve business success. She is the author of two books, designer of the card game Body Be Gone™, and belongs to an amateur improv group.

Drawing on her background as an investment banker, CFO, and credentialed actuary, Nicole co-founded Creatopia® to nurture joyful creativity and foster creators’ prosperity.

Connect with:

Creatopia's Website

Nicole Fende's LinkedIn

Resources:

Free creativity block-busting quiz

Research comparing the results of values-based banks and banking cooperatives (VBBs) with the largest banks in the world, the Global Systemically Important Banks (GSIBs)

Triple Bottom Line explained

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Peripheral Thinking with Paul Daniels

Uncovering Your Brilliance with Lane Garner

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"Intention is more important than attention."

-Ana Melikian

In this episode of the MINDSET ZONE, host Ana Melikian delves into the importance of intentionality and mental fitness in navigating life's challenges. She emphasizes the power of cultivating intention in our daily lives to achieve our goals and aspirations.

Ana highlights the significance of redirecting our attention with purpose and intention, especially in today's world, where our attention is constantly captured in various ways. She reveals how being intentional allows us to regain control over our attention, leading to more proactive and purposeful living.

Additionally, Ana discusses the impact of mental fitness in handling life's challenges and negative emotions. By strengthening our mental fitness, we can recover faster and become more resilient, ultimately leading to a more intentional and mindful approach to life.

Let's dive in!

This week on The Mindset Zone:

00:00 Introduction

01:13 The Power of Intention Over Attention

04:35 Cultivating Intentionality for a Purposeful Life

06:00 Practical Steps to Enhance Mental Fitness

06:55 Closing Thoughts and Resources

Meet Your Host:

Ana Melikian, Ph.D., advises leaders on how to amplify impact while avoiding burnout. She is passionate about teaching others how to unlock their human potential using simple and powerful approaches such as her P.I.E. method.

𝐖𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐭?

Set a time to speak with Ana HERE and learn about your (or your team's) burnout risk and how to enhance well-being, effectiveness, and teamwork!

Connect with:

Ana on LinkedIn

Resources:

This episode is based on a column Ana wrote for the book, "Mindfulness and Health Watch: Your Weekly Inspire Me Journal" by Gloria Petersen

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"My trademark brand of positivity is called positosis."

-Chris Toledo

In this episode of the Mindset Zone, host Ana Melikian talks with Chris Toledo, a former professional basketball player turned motivational speaker, about his career journey and the pivotal role positivity played in his success.

Toledo shares his experiences from playing basketball in college and professionally in Mexico to teaching dance and finally becoming a professional speaker. He introduces the concept of Positosis, his brand of positivity, and how it has influenced both his career and his mission to help others.

The discussion also covers his transition from athlete to a leading figure in fitness and entertainment, including his work with Reebok and ESPN and his eventual pivot towards personal and organizational development with a focus on positivity and mental fitness.

Let's dive in!

This week on The Mindset Zone:

00:00 Harnessing Positivity in High-Pressure Moments

01:46 The Power of Positivity: Chris Toledo's Basketball Journey

06:19 Transitioning from Professional Basketball to Club Med and Beyond

09:11 Embracing Dance and Launching a Global Fitness Program

12:09 From TV Fame to Discovering Tai Chi and a New Mission

14:50 Becoming a Professional Speaker and Emcee

17:58 Introducing Positosis: A Unique Brand of Positivity

19:52 The Positosis Mindset: Reset and Remix

22:07 Chris Toledo's Journey: Inspiring Through Positosis

Meet the Guest:

Chris Toledo is a keynote communicator, storyteller, multilingual surprise and delight speaker, and MC who helps organizations improve and develop company culture through a dynamic crafted experience on the power of Positosis™.

Chris’ trademarked Positosis™ is a mindset reset that transforms life's experiences into personal and professional success by training and retraining YOUR brain to scan for the positive FIRST to shift into a positive mindset.

A former international professional basketball player and television show host, Chris is comfortable in the spotlight. With a host of experiences ranging from being the on-air host of “The Reebok City Jam Show,” in association with ESPN, Universal Studios Orlando, Reebok International, to working with Club Med International, Chris Toledo's positive, focused, and engaging energy entertains, delights, educates and moves audiences, while sharing the essential Positosis skills for personal and professional success.

Chris’s keynote, “The Positosis Mindset,” teaches and demonstrates tips and tools to tap into YOUR Positosis Mindset on command. With his unique brand of storytelling that has a natural ebb and flow, a signature style, and cadence, his presentations are a combination of insight and entertainment to deliver a transformative interactive experience.

The work that Chris has done includes collaborations with AirBnB, TikTok, Amazon, Nordstroms, and The Boeing Leadership Association in the role of Master of Ceremony, Keynote Speaker and a hybrid of the two.

Connect with:

Chris Toledo's email: [email protected]

Chris Toledo's Website

Chris Toledo's LinkedIn

Resources:

Chris Toledo's Website

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"It is an odd reality of being human that we are always changing, yet we dislike change. Especially too much, too fast."

-Giles Crouch | Digital Anthropologist

In this episode, host Ana Melikian explores the paradox of human evolution amidst technological advancement, with a focus on identity shift in the digital era. Drawing insights from an article by digital anthropologist Giles Crouch, Ana discusses the long history of technology's role in human identity, from the Stone Age to modern smart devices, and the psychological effects of rapid technological change.

She highlights the tension between the human need for stability and the inevitable march of technological progress, particularly in the face of AI disruption. Ana uses the metaphor of navigating a river to describe the pursuit of mental wellness, balancing between rigidity and constant change.

She emphasizes the importance of proactively adapting to these changes to enhance humanity and addresses the collective challenge of navigating these transitions as a community. The episode calls for engaging in conversations to co-create a hopeful future, leveraging AI advancements in a human-centered manner.

Let's dive in!

This week on The Mindset Zone:

00:00 Introduction

01:05 Evolution of Human Identity in the Digital Age

02:03 The Long History of Technology and Its Impact

04:57 Navigating the River of Life: Mental Health and Change

07:33 Using AI to Enhance Our Humanity

11:15 Proactive Response to AI Disruption and Future Possibilities

13:30 The Importance of Community and Conversation

Meet Your Host:

Ana Melikian, Ph.D., advises leaders on how to amplify impact while avoiding burnout. She is passionate about teaching others how to unlock their human potential using simple and powerful approaches such as her P.I.E. method.

𝐖𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐭?

Set a time to speak with Ana HERE and learn about your (or your team's) burnout risk and how to enhance well-being, effectiveness, and teamwork!

Connect with:

Ana on LinkedIn

Resources:

Human Identity in the Digital Age

Related episodes:

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"98% of the atoms in your body are removed and replaced every year."

-Udo Erasmus

In this episode of the Mindset Zone, host Ana Melikian discusses the transformative power of nutrition, particularly focusing on the role of fats and oils in human health with guest Udo Erasmus, a renowned figure in the field of health and nutrition.

Erasmus, the author of 'Fats That Kill' and a pioneer in understanding essential fatty acids, delves into his personal journey of healing from pesticide poisoning through nutritional research. He emphasizes how the body's constant renewal process makes healing possible through improved dietary standards, particularly by incorporating the right fats.

Ana and Udo also explore broader concepts such as the importance of addressing contradictions in science and life, the unity behind apparent paradoxes, and the significance of internal exploration for holistic well-being.

The conversation further covers Erasmus's development of a method for producing health-beneficial oils and his insights into achieving vitality and energy through alignment on multiple life levels. The episode underscores the interconnectedness of physical health, emotional well-being, and spiritual awareness in living a fulfilled life.

Let's dive in!

This week on The Mindset Zone:

00:00 The Power of Healing Through Nutrition

00:37 Introduction to the Mindset Zone Podcast

01:20 Special Guest: Udo Erasmus, Visionary in Health and Nutrition

02:23 Exploring Contradictions and Unity in Life and Science

09:12 The Journey from Pesticide Poisoning to Nutritional Enlightenment

13:20 The Essential Role of Fats and Oils in Our Health

20:04 Creating Healthier Oils: The Birth of Udo's Oil

25:18 The Impact of Proper Nutrition on Skin and Overall Health

28:15 Udo Erasmus Shares His Philosophy on Life, Energy, and Vitality

33:27 Where to Learn More About Udo Erasmus and His Work

35:05 Closing Thoughts and Podcast Outro

Meet the Guest:

The legendary Udo Erasmus is the co-founder of Udo’s Choice line, which can be found in Whole Foods and other health food stores worldwide. Udo designed the machinery for making oils with health in mind and pioneered flax oil, a billion dollar industry. However, Udo walked a difficult path to become the man he is today. Being a child of war, Udo’s life began with intense struggle. As an adult, he got pesticide poisoning in 1980, leaving doctors at a loss regarding treatment. Deciding to take his health into his own hands, Udobegan researching, and his discoveries led him to a passion for finding the answers to life’s big questions which would hopefully one day bring him and the world peace.

Today, Udo is an acclaimed speaker and author of many books, including the best-selling Fats That Heal Fats That Kill, which has sold over 250,000 copies. He teaches at events hosted by Tony Robbins and Deepak Chopra, has keynoted an international brain health conference, and has traveled to over 30 countries to conduct thousands of live presentations, media interviews, and staff trainings impacting more than 25,000,000 lives with his message on oils,health, peace, nature, and human nature. Udo has an extensive education in biochemistry, genetics, biology, and nutrition, including a master’s degree in counseling psychology.

Connect with:

Udo Erasmus' Website

Udo Erasmus' LinkedIn

Udo Erasmus' Instagram

Udos Erasmus' Twitter

Resources:

Udo's Oil: florahealth.com/udo

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In this episode of the MINDSET ZONE, host Ana Melikian delves into the concept of being boxed in and the ways in which we categorize things in our lives. Ana shares her insights on how our brains are wired to simplify and categorize, leading to the tendency to put things in boxes or categories. She reflects on her experience working with clients who resist being boxed in, particularly in defining a target market for their businesses.

Ana offers a strategy for accepting this resistance and shifting the focus to understanding the 'why' behind what individuals do, tapping into their values and purpose. She draws connections to Mitch Axelrod’s interview about understanding our Soul-Role-Goal, emphasizing the importance of clarifying why we do what we do. Ana then presents a powerful visualization exercise where she encourages listeners to imagine stepping out of the box and even flipping the box to see it as a platform for elevating their message and impact.

Ana invites listeners to pause when feeling boxed in, recognize their feelings, thoughts, and behaviors (increase self-awareness), and embrace experimentation as a response. She speaks about her concept of the P.I.E. Method: Pause, Increase Self-Awareness, and Experimentation.

Let's dive in!

This week on The Mindset Zone:

00:07 Introduction and Welcome

00:50 Exploring the Tendency to Categorize and Box In

02:26 The Importance of Understanding the 'Why'

03:29 Connecting Values and Purpose to Business

05:28 Navigating Resistance to Being Boxed In

07:00 Embracing the Power of Clarifying 'Why'

09:37 Visualizing Stepping Out of the Box and Flipping the Box

12:49 The Invigorating Power of the Box as a Platform

15:00 The PIE Method: Pause, Increase Self-Awareness, Embrace Experimentation

15:57 Conclusion and Invitation to Engage Further

Meet your Host:

Ana Melikian, Ph.D., advises leaders on how to amplify impact while avoiding burnout. She is passionate about teaching others how to unlock their human potential using simple and powerful approaches such as her P.I.E. method.

𝐖𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐭?

Set a time to speak with Ana HERE and learn about your (or your team's) burnout risk and how to enhance well-being, effectiveness, and teamwork!

Connect with:

Ana on LinkedIn

Related episodes

Listen to:

The NEW Game of Service with Mitch Axelrod

The PIE Method: A Simple Three Steps Approach To Personal Growth

Between stimulus and response, there is this space.

Expand What’s Possible

” If the people are serving the system, you have an inversion of value. If it gets extreme, you have a perversion of value, to where the system actually, instead of serving people, abuses people.”

-Mitch Axelrod

In this episode, Ana Melikian is joined by Mitch Axelrod, a business strategist and advisor, to discuss the importance of serving people in business and the impact of technology, automation, and outsourcing. Together, they delve into the soulful approach to success, revealing Mitch's "Soul. Role. Goal." framework to serve people first, anchored in a philosophy that values the human element in every business interaction.

Ana and Mitch discuss procedures, automation, and AI and their potential to either uplift humanity or facilitate systemic abuse. They stress the critical importance of companies focusing on genuinely loving and serving the customer (and their employees), rather than being hamstrung by rigid rules and impersonal policies.

Our guest, Mitch Axelrod, shares his wisdom on nurturing human capital, aligning the soul, role, and goal of companies, and fostering a work environment that champions humanity and engagement. They take a critical look at modern work culture, questioning whether we’ve lost sight of the human connection.

Strap in for a journey that rethinks standard business practices and advocates for leading with soul and purpose.

Let's dive in!

This week on The Mindset Zone:

00:00 Introduction and Purpose of Systems

00:44 Meet the Host and the Guest

01:26 The NEW Game of Business

03:04 Mitch's Early Life and Business Ethos

04:44 The Importance of Service in Business

06:16 The Value of Service and its Impact on Business

08:17 Service as a Profit Center

11:30 The Impact of AI and Automation on Service

12:47 The Soul, Role, Goal Model

14:35 The Inversion of Value and its Consequences

17:48 The Importance of Work-Life Balance

22:28 The Future of Business and Conclusion

30:38 Where to Learn More About Mitch's Work

31:47 Closing Remarks and Podcast Outro

Meet the Guest:

Mitch Axelrod is a 45-year entrepreneur, speaker, trainer, advisor, and a # 1 Wall St. Journal, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon best-selling author. Mitch has delivered 3,500 seminars, workshops, keynotes, webinars, executive briefings, and coaching clinics on business, entrepreneurship, sales, leadership, values, intellectual property, and life skills to more than a million people.

Mitch is the author of The NEW Game of Business™, The NEW Game of IP™ (Intellectual Property), and the #1 bestseller, The NEW Game of Selling™. His articles, special reports, newsletters, white papers, and training programs are read in 40 countries. Mitch is an intellectual property specialist who pioneered “renting your content” to monetize IP.

Golden Mike Award winner for speaking excellence and industry contribution, he has helped his clients generate $3 billion in revenue.

Featured on dozens of media, including WABC, Best-Seller TV, and Sales Talk Radio, Mitch has taught at NYU, USC, Notre Dame and is faculty at Harvard's Executive Leadership Conference.

In 2020, Mitch suffered a stroke and brain aneurysm that left him paralyzed on his right side. His story of rebound, resilience, and recovery is inspirational and transformational!

Connect with:

Mitch Axelrod LinkedIn

Mitch Axelrod Facebook

Mitch Axelrod Twitter

Mitch Axelrod Instagram

Resources:

The New Game of Selling: https://thenewgameofselling.com/

Soul Role Goal: https://soulrolegoal.com/

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