In this episode of the Collective Genius Podcast, I sit down with Mika Self—founder of REI Junkies and a long-time CG member—for one of the most vulnerable and inspiring conversations we've had. Mika opens up about how his once-thriving business completely collapsed after personal tragedy, team breakdowns, and leadership burnout. But what followed wasn't just a comeback—it was a total rebuild with new values, new systems, and a new vision.

We talk about how Mika went from rock bottom to generating over $4 million in revenue in just four months, while staying true to what really matters: people, purpose, and sustainable leadership. He shares the tactical shifts he made in marketing and org structure, as well as the emotional growth that helped him become a better CEO, father, and husband. This episode isn't just about real estate—it's about real transformation.

Timeline Summary

[0:00] - Introduction [2:10] - The original rise of REI Junkies—and what caused it all to crash [6:30] - Personal loss, grief, and the leadership spiral that followed [10:50] - The decision to rebuild: who he had to become to restart [14:20] - The $4M comeback: systems, people, and marketing that made it work [18:40] - Rebuilding trust with his family, team, and himself [22:00] - How CG helped him rediscover his purpose and leadership voice [26:30] - Why profit means nothing without peace [30:10] - The values Mika runs his business by today—and how they've changed [34:45] - Advice for entrepreneurs in the middle of burnout or breakdown [38:00] - What Mika's building next—and how he's staying in alignment

5 Key Takeaways

1. Rebuilding Starts With You – Business comebacks require personal transformation first.

2. Revenue Without Vision Is a Trap – Mika made $4M in 4 months, but only after getting clear on why it mattered.

3. Leadership Is a Relationship Game – Success depends on trust, transparency, and putting people first.

4. Your Business Shouldn't Cost You Your Life – Peace, presence, and purpose matter more than hitting big numbers.

5. You Can Always Rebuild – No matter how far you've fallen, the path back starts with one aligned decision.

Links & Resources

• ExploreCG.com – Learn more about the Collective Genius community

If this episode moved you or gave you hope, please follow, rate, and review the Collective Genius Podcast. And share it with someone who needs to hear that the comeback is always stronger than the setback.