How do you actually get people to care about their work?

Not just show up—but bring energy, focus, ownership, and commitment every day.

In this episode, I break down what employee engagement really is—and more importantly, how leaders actually create it in real-world environments.

In this episode, I walk you through:

•  A clear, evidence-based definition of employee engagement (and what it really looks like in practice) 
•  The measurable impact of engagement on performance, well-being, retention, quality, and client outcomes 
•  The 7 core drivers of engagement: meaning, safety, clarity, autonomy, support, growth, and connection 
•  Why managers—not just senior leaders—are the most critical factor in shaping engagement 
•  How engagement is built (or broken) through everyday leadership behaviors and interactions 

And most importantly, I give you 3 practical, high-impact actions you can apply immediately to improve engagement on your team:

•  How to create clarity and focus every single week 
•  How to turn your 1:1s into powerful engagement conversations 
•  How to respond in key moments (mistakes, input, challenges) to build trust and ownership 

If you lead people—or want to create a team that is focused, committed, and performing at a high level—this episode gives you a clear, evidence-based model you can start applying right away.

Free Livecast on Employee Engagement and How to Build It

If this topic is really important to you, you should come to my free livecast on Wednesday April 15th, 2026, where I go over the model, ways to tell whether you need to apply this, and introduce some ways to do so. 

Click here to find out more or to register for free

Instantly Unlock Performance Now

The "Thrive Hive" is a monthly membership to help teach, coach and support individuals, organizational teams and their leaders in reaching their full potential, and living a flourishing life with balance and well-being.

You get access to group coaching, monthly education, webinars/livecasts and other events, topic-based support and tools, and access to a private community of other like-minded individuals.

You can find out more or sign up clicking here!

What actually creates a team that performs at a high level — not just when things are easy, but when pressure rises?

In this episode of The Art and Science of Thriving, I answer a question I’ve been asked repeatedly by leaders across sectors: How do you build a team that performs consistently, stays regulated under pressure, adapts during change, and doesn’t burn out?

This is not about creating a team that is “on” at peak intensity all the time. It’s about building a team that can think clearly, communicate early, navigate conflict constructively, and sustain performance over time.

Drawing on neuroscience, sport psychology, and organizational behavior research, I introduce a practical, systems-based model built around five core pillars of a well-working team:

• Psychological Safety & Trust
• Shared Purpose & Collective Identity
• Role & Decision Clarity
• Healthy Communication & Constructive Conflict
• Learning Orientation & Collective Resilience

You’ll learn:

• What actually happens to teams under sudden stress and uncertainty
• Why high output without the right foundations is fragile
• How these five pillars regulate threat, reduce cognitive load, and improve coordination
• The three ways leaders can apply this model immediately (diagnostic, developmental, and structural)
• Where to start if you want to strengthen your team without overwhelming it

If you lead a team — or are part of one — this episode will give you a clear, evidence-based framework to assess where your team is strong, where it may be vulnerable, and how to build performance that lasts.

For that want some more tools, I’ve uploaded a podcast summary and a simple self-audit tool you can use with your team at Invictus.coach/resources.

Instantly Unlock Performance Now

The "Thrive Hive" is a monthly membership to help teach, coach and support individuals, organizational teams and their leaders in reaching their full potential, and living a flourishing life with balance and well-being.

You get access to group coaching, monthly education, webinars/livecasts and other events, topic-based support and tools, and access to a private community of other like-minded individuals.

You can find out more or sign up clicking here!

Do you ever feel like you’re working hard all day, yet still ending the day exhausted, behind, and wondering where your time and energy went?

In this episode of The Art and Science of Thriving, I answer one of the most important questions high-achieving professionals face:  How do I regain control, reduce overwhelm, and perform at my best — without burning out?

I explain why overwhelm isn’t a personal failure or lack of discipline, but a performance state that happens when demand exceeds your brain’s capacity, stress stays elevated, and you lose a sense of control. When this happens, focus narrows, decision quality drops, and even simple tasks start to feel heavy.

From there, I introduce the Thrive Model — a science-based framework built on five interconnected pillars: well-being, purpose, high performance, growth, and connection. Instead of trying to fix overwhelm with more effort or better willpower, I show you how to change the system you’re operating in so your brain, energy, and motivation start working with you again.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why pushing harder and “gritting it out” often makes overwhelm worse
• The neuroscience behind why you feel scattered, reactive, and drained under pressure
• The three key shifts that restore control: regulation before optimization, capacity before productivity, and agency before execution
• How each pillar of the Thrive Model reduces overwhelm and builds sustainable high performance
• A simple, practical way to start applying the model right away — even if you feel like you have no time

If you’re tired of just getting through your days and want to feel clear, capable, and in control again, this episode will help you understand what’s really happening in your brain — and what to do about it.

For a summary of the Thrive Model and a self-check to help you apply it in your own life, visit Invictus.coach/resources.

Instantly Unlock Performance Now

The "Thrive Hive" is a monthly membership to help teach, coach and support individuals, organizational teams and their leaders in reaching their full potential, and living a flourishing life with balance and well-being.

You get access to group coaching, monthly education, webinars/livecasts and other events, topic-based support and tools, and access to a private community of other like-minded individuals.

You can find out more or sign up clicking here!

In this episode, I explore what actually happens in the brain and nervous system under pressure—and why even highly capable people often struggle to think clearly, make good decisions, or perform at their best when it matters most.

Drawing on evidence-based neuroscience, psychology, and high-performance research, this episode explains:

• Why pressure narrows attention and degrades thinking
• Why “just trying harder” often makes performance worse
• Why capable people choke under pressure—and why that’s not a flaw
• How elite performers (athletes, ER doctors, Navy SEALs, and others) design for pressure instead of fighting it
• What actually helps you perform well under sustained demand

You’ll learn the core principles that support high performance under pressure, including:

• How to simplify and reduce cognitive load
• Why routines protect focus and consistency
• How regulating your physiological state improves thinking
• The difference between interpreting pressure as a threat versus a challenge
• How to apply these ideas in real life, not just in theory

This episode also acknowledges that pressure can affect people differently, including neurodivergent individuals and menopausal women, and explains why systems and structure matter more than willpower.

If you’re feeling stretched, reactive, or mentally overloaded—and want to perform well without burning out—this episode will give you a clear, science-based framework and practical next steps.

Instantly Unlock Performance Now

The "Thrive Hive" is a monthly membership to help teach, coach and support individuals, organizational teams and their leaders in reaching their full potential, and living a flourishing life with balance and well-being.

You get access to group coaching, monthly education, webinars/livecasts and other events, topic-based support and tools, and access to a private community of other like-minded individuals.

You can find out more or sign up clicking here!

If you’re thinking ahead to the new year and want to start strong without slipping into the usual overwhelm, this episode will help you do exactly that.

This is Michael’s Version of one of the most downloaded episodes I’ve ever released — a refreshed, clearer, more aligned re-recording of “How to Plan Your Best Year.” 

Much like Taylor Swift re-recording her albums, this is the episode I always wanted to release: still built on the same evidence-based principles as the original, but now sharper, more grounded, and easier to apply.

In this episode, I walk you through a science-backed approach to planning your year that avoids the biggest traps most people fall into. 

We explore why long-term motivation often collapses after the initial excitement, and how to design your goals in a way that your brain can sustain over time.

You’ll learn:

• Why only about 10% of New Year’s goals make it past February
• The six evidence-based principles that create a meaningful, achievable year
• How to define what “your best year” actually means (without unrealistic pressure)
• A simple, powerful 4-step protocol for planning your year
• The most common planning mistakes — and how to avoid them
• Four success strategies to keep your goals achievable, energizing, and realistic

Whether you’re looking to make progress on a few important goals or you simply want a more sustainable approach to planning the year ahead, this episode will help you clarify what matters, set achievable targets, and create momentum that lasts.

Resources Mentioned:

• Register for my December workshop: How to Plan Your 2026 Goals Without Burnout
• Join the Thrive Hive for monthly support, tools, and coaching

Instantly Unlock Performance Now

The "Thrive Hive" is a monthly membership to help teach, coach and support individuals, organizational teams and their leaders in reaching their full potential, and living a flourishing life with balance and well-being.

You get access to group coaching, monthly education, webinars/livecasts and other events, topic-based support and tools, and access to a private community of other like-minded individuals.

You can find out more or sign up clicking here!

As the year comes to an end, many people jump straight into planning their goals for the next one. But the real power — the kind that fuels motivation, clarity, and fulfillment — comes from looking back first.

In this episode, High Performance Coach Michael Schiel breaks down the deeper science of reflection and introduces the R.E.S.E.T. Model, a structured, evidence-based framework designed to help you extract meaning from your year, realign with what matters most, and enter the next chapter with confidence and direction.

You’ll learn:

• Why reflection changes the brain and boosts long-term motivation
• The key neuroscience and psychology principles behind effective self-review
• How to use the R.E.S.E.T. Framework to review your year:
  • Reflect on what worked
  • Examine challenges with curiosity
  • Seek the lessons
  • Evaluate alignment with your values and identity
  • Transition forward with clarity

Michael also shares how to turn RESET into a powerful habit through weekly, monthly, and quarterly reflection cycles — helping you stay aligned, energized, and focused throughout the year.

Whether you’re closing out a successful year or navigating one that felt messy and overwhelming, this episode gives you the tools to finish strong and step into the new year with purpose and momentum.

Download the RESET Worksheet:
You can download the worksheet I talk about, and apply what you learn at invictus.coach/resources

Join the free livecast on Wednesday, November 19th:
On Wednesday, November 19th, I am hosting a free livecast on this topic. I will introduce the concept and walk through the framework. You will have a chance to learn firsthand about it, and ask questions. Click here to learn more and register for free

This is your roadmap to clarity, confidence, and thriving in the year ahead.

Instantly Unlock Performance Now

The "Thrive Hive" is a monthly membership to help teach, coach and support individuals, organizational teams and their leaders in reaching their full potential, and living a flourishing life with balance and well-being.

You get access to group coaching, monthly education, webinars/livecasts and other events, topic-based support and tools, and access to a private community of other like-minded individuals.

You can find out more or sign up clicking here!

Have you ever reached the end of the year and felt… underwhelmed? You worked hard, hit some goals, and overcame challenges—but still wonder, Did any of this really matter?

In this episode of The Art and Science of Thriving, I explore the neuroscience and psychology behind why achievement alone rarely feels fulfilling—and how meaningful reflection is the key to ending your year with clarity, confidence, and a genuine sense of progress.

You’ll learn:

• Why your brain’s dopamine system is wired for the chase, not the finish, and how that affects your sense of success.
• The neuroscience of reflection—how it consolidates learning, strengthens resilience, and turns experiences into wisdom.
• Five science-backed principles for reviewing your year so you feel proud, grounded, and ready for what’s next.
• The R.E.S.E.T. Reflection Framework — a simple, evidence-based process to reflect, realign, and refocus for the year ahead.

Plus, I share practical reflection tools you can use this week— like the “Year-in-Three” list and closure rituals—to help you end the year not just successful, but fulfilled.

Instantly Unlock Performance Now

The "Thrive Hive" is a monthly membership to help teach, coach and support individuals, organizational teams and their leaders in reaching their full potential, and living a flourishing life with balance and well-being.

You get access to group coaching, monthly education, webinars/livecasts and other events, topic-based support and tools, and access to a private community of other like-minded individuals.

You can find out more or sign up clicking here!

Do you ever catch yourself thinking, “I don’t belong here… I’m not good enough… Sooner or later, they’ll find out I’m a fraud”? If so, you’re not alone. In fact, research shows that most high-achieving professionals experience imposter syndrome at some point in their careers

In this episode of The Art and Science of Thriving, I dive into the science behind imposter syndrome — what it really is, why it shows up most often when we’re growing, and how you can use neuroscience and psychology-backed tools to reframe those thoughts so they no longer hold you back.

You’ll learn:

• Why imposter syndrome happens and how your brain is wired to trigger these thoughts in moments of growth.
• The identity gap — why your achievements often feel out of sync with how you see yourself.
• Practical, science-backed strategies to reframe self-doubt into confidence and contribution.
• How leaders can spot imposter syndrome in their teams — and simple steps to help staff turn it into fuel for growth.

Most importantly, you’ll walk away with a proven framework — Awareness, Reframing, and Action — that helps you move past the inner critic and channel imposter feelings into motivation and thriving.

🎯 Free Resource: To help you apply the tools from this episode, I’ve created a downloadable Imposter Syndrome Worksheet & Mini Guide. Get your copy at invictus.coach/resources

If you’ve ever wrestled with self-doubt — or want to support your team through it — this episode will show you how to recognize imposter syndrome for what it is: not proof you don’t belong, but proof that you’re stretching into growth.

Instantly Unlock Performance Now

The "Thrive Hive" is a monthly membership to help teach, coach and support individuals, organizational teams and their leaders in reaching their full potential, and living a flourishing life with balance and well-being.

You get access to group coaching, monthly education, webinars/livecasts and other events, topic-based support and tools, and access to a private community of other like-minded individuals.

You can find out more or sign up clicking here!

Have you ever ended the day exhausted, yet still felt like you didn’t make progress? You were busy, crossed things off your list, yet something was missing? You’re not alone.

In this episode of The Art and Science of Thriving, I break down why productivity doesn’t always equal fulfillment — and what neuroscience and psychology say actually makes a day feel meaningful.

You’ll discover:

• Why your brain fixates on unfinished tasks (the Zeigarnik Effect)
• The neuroscience behind why checking things off isn’t enough
• A simple, science-backed Fulfillment Formula to help you end your day with clarity and satisfaction.

By the end, you’ll have practical tools you can use tonight to feel more present, purposeful, and fulfilled — even on messy, busy days.

Instantly Unlock Performance Now

The "Thrive Hive" is a monthly membership to help teach, coach and support individuals, organizational teams and their leaders in reaching their full potential, and living a flourishing life with balance and well-being.

You get access to group coaching, monthly education, webinars/livecasts and other events, topic-based support and tools, and access to a private community of other like-minded individuals.

You can find out more or sign up clicking here!

You’ve just had a great break — maybe a vacation, time with family, or just a few days of rest — but then Monday hits, and it feels like all that restoration disappears the moment you open your inbox. Sound familiar?

In this episode of The Art and Science of Thriving, I explore why the way you transition back after time off matters more than you think — and how to do it right.

Drawing on neuroscience, psychology, and high-performance research, you’ll learn:

• What happens in your brain and body when you dive back into work too quickly.
• Why poor re-entry erases the benefits of your break in hours instead of weeks.
• The five things your brain and body actually need for recovery to “stick.”
• Practical, evidence-based strategies to create a smoother, more intentional re-entry.

Whether you’ve just had a vacation, a long weekend, or even a short pause in your routine, this episode will help you protect the gains from your downtime — and turn your recovery into fuel for performance, creativity, and well-being.

Instantly Unlock Performance Now

The "Thrive Hive" is a monthly membership to help teach, coach and support individuals, organizational teams and their leaders in reaching their full potential, and living a flourishing life with balance and well-being.

You get access to group coaching, monthly education, webinars/livecasts and other events, topic-based support and tools, and access to a private community of other like-minded individuals.

You can find out more or sign up clicking here!