The Game Changer Podcast

Send us Fan Mail

What if your team's performance problem isn't a strategy problem — it's a trust problem?

Emile Studham has spent his career studying why some teams thrive under pressure while others fall apart — and his answer is consistent across every industry he's worked in. Before you fix the mechanics, you have to unlock the human dynamics. Trust, safety, and belonging aren't nice-to-haves. They are the engine.

In this conversation, Michelle and Emile explore why so many leaders unknowingly create environments of fear and protection rather than openness and cooperation, what the "player-coach syndrome" is and how it silently undermines team culture, how storytelling builds the kind of trust that no performance review ever will, why your reward systems may be driving the exact opposite of the cooperation you're trying to create, and how the principles of high-performing teams apply just as powerfully to your personal relationships and family.

Emile also shares his own journey from burnout to purpose-driven coaching — and what that turning point revealed about the environments we create for ourselves and others.

If you lead people — at work, at home, or in your community — this conversation will change the questions you ask.

To learn more about Emile Studham's work visit https://www.emilestudham.com

🔗 Find everything at linktr.ee/michelledutro

🤝 Let’s Connect: linktr.ee/michelledutro 
🌐 Learn more: www.michelledutro.com 
🏞️ Retreat Center: www.innernorthstar.com

Send us Fan Mail

What if the reason you can't focus, your relationships feel strained, or your motivation keeps stalling has nothing to do with your mindset — and everything to do with your kitchen table?

Architect and Conscious Home Design founder Talor Stewart has spent his career studying the relationship between the spaces we live in and the lives we're trying to build. His conclusion is both simple and startling: your environment is either supporting your growth or quietly undermining it — and most people never stop to look.

In this conversation, Michelle and Talor explore why clutter is never just about messiness, how dedicated spaces rewire the subconscious for success, what Winston Churchill understood about buildings and human behavior that most people still haven't caught up to, why your bedroom, workspace, and kitchen table may be working against you, and how Conscious Home Design works alongside Feng Shui and intentional living to create spaces that actually support who you're becoming.

You don't need a renovation. You need a new way of seeing the space you're already in.

To learn more about Talor Stewart's work visit conscioushomedesign.com

🔗 Find everything at linktr.ee/michelledutro

🤝 Let’s Connect: linktr.ee/michelledutro 
🌐 Learn more: www.michelledutro.com 
🏞️ Retreat Center: www.innernorthstar.com

Send us Fan Mail

What does it take to rebuild your entire identity from the ground up — not once, but multiple times?

Former Marine Dennis Connors knows better than most. After serving his country with distinction, Dennis faced a series of devastating traumatic brain injuries followed by a stroke that threatened to take everything. His athletic career. His sense of self. His future.

What happened next is nothing short of extraordinary.

Rather than accepting the limits placed on him, Dennis redefined what perseverance actually means — and went on to become an elite Paralympic athlete competing on the world stage.

In this conversation, Michelle and Dennis explore what it really means to lose yourself and find your way back, why community and connection are not optional in recovery, how identity survives — and thrives — after catastrophic loss, what elite adaptive sports teaches us about the human spirit, and why Dennis believes none of us have any excuse to give up on what we love.

This episode is for anyone navigating a major life transition, health challenge, or moment where they've looked up and wondered who they've become.

You are worthy of love, support, and a life that lights you up — no matter what you've been through.

To follow Dennis Connors' journey and support him in the Los Angeles Paralympics in 2028- visit dennisconnorsusa.com

In this Episode:

00:00 – Introduction to Dennis Connors

02:50 – The Journey of a Marine and Athlete

14:03 – Facing Adversity: Strokes and Identity 

22:29 – Redefining Identity and Finding Worth 

26:54 – A Message of Hope and Worthiness 

27:19 – The Power of Connection and Support 

29:49 – Redefining Identity and Perseverance 

33:46 – High Performance and Competitive Spirit 

39:56 – Challenges of Paralympic Athletes 

41:42 – Legacy and the Pursuit of Passion 

More about Michelle Dutro  

🔗 Find everything here: https://linktr.ee/michelledutro

🤝 Let’s Connect: linktr.ee/michelledutro 
🌐 Learn more: www.michelledutro.com 
🏞️ Retreat Center: www.innernorthstar.com

Send us Fan Mail

Former British Army commando Mark Seven is taking on the ultimate ultra-endurance challenge: a massive run across America for the 2027 Run of Hope Liberty Torch Relay.

In this episode of The Game Changer Podcast, we dive deep into the mind of an ultra-endurance athlete to uncover what it really takes to build unbreakable resilience and discipline. From battling extreme self-esteem struggles to becoming an ultramarathon champion and motivational speaker, Mark shares the internal shifts required to push past your physical and mental limits.

Whether you're looking for extreme motivation or a way to reconnect with your true purpose, this conversation will change how you view your own potential.

🔥 Support Mark's Mission & The Run of Hope -https://therunofhope.com/

📚 Get Mark's Book: Mark's Books on Amazon

✨ About the Show: Welcome to a space where purpose meets possibility! I’m Michelle Dutro, coach, mentor, and host of The Game Changer Podcast. My mission is to help you reconnect with your purpose, align with your values, and live your best life from the inside out.

🎧 If you enjoyed this episode, please follow The Game Changer Podcast and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify!

🤝 Let’s Connect: linktr.ee/michelledutro 
🌐 Learn more: www.michelledutro.com 
🏞️ Retreat Center: www.innernorthstar.com

Send us Fan Mail

After 40 years as a psychiatrist, Dr. Fred Moss is challenging everything we know about mental health and medication. What if your diagnosis isn't a life sentence, but a misunderstanding?

Summary:
In this provocative episode of The Game Changer Podcast, host Michelle Dutro sits down with Dr. Fred Moss to explore a radical approach to mental health that prioritizes human connection over prescriptions. They dive deep into the trap of "alphabet soup" diagnoses, why believing you are "broken" is the biggest obstacle to healing, and how true recovery often starts with honest conversation rather than a pill. Dr. Moss reveals why creative self-expression might be the most underutilized antidepressant available and challenges you to ask: "What if there’s nothing actually wrong with me?"

Chapters:
00:01 – Intro: Dr. Fred Moss + healing through conversation
01:22 – His origin story: why communication became the “medicine”
05:30 – Mental hospital work + why he rejected mainstream psychiatry
08:00 – Becoming a psychiatrist to change the system from within
10:55 – 2006: taking hundreds off meds (with consent) + what happened
12:10 – “Welcome to Humanity”: suffering ≠ something wrong with you
13:37 – When diagnosis becomes identity (alphabet soup labels)
20:45 – Taking back the reins: choice, agency, and human connection
22:00 – The elephant metaphor: how labels can create cages
26:07 – Prozac + the shift to “biological psychiatry” (1987)
33:30 – Creative Eight: creativity as self-expression and relief
38:50 – The core message: healing through human connection
40:30 – Where to find him: drfred360.com + The Undoctor Reset
44:10 – Final question + answer: “There’s nothing wrong with you.”

To connect and learn more:

https://welcometohumanity.net/

https://drfred360.com/

🤝 Let’s Connect: linktr.ee/michelledutro 
🌐 Learn more: www.michelledutro.com 
🏞️ Retreat Center: www.innernorthstar.com

Send us Fan Mail

Most high achievers think they need more motivation or better tactics to succeed, but that is actually a recipe for burnout. The true foundation of sustainable performance isn’t what you do—it’s how stable your identity is when the pressure hits.

Discover why identity stability—not motivation or tactics—is the true foundation of sustainable performance and leadership. In this episode of The Game Changer Podcast, Michelle Dutro sits down with leadership coach, researcher, and U.S. Army Chaplain Bryan Hedrick to explore the hidden “X-factor” behind clarity, resilience, and lasting change. While this work emerged from elite military and high-pressure environments, it applies to anyone navigating leadership, transition, or personal growth.

We discuss how strengthening your sense of self transforms the way you make decisions, respond to pressure, and lead—both personally and professionally.

In this episode, you will learn:

⭐ Why identity stability drives performance more than motivation or strategy
 ⭐ How tying identity to roles and labels leads to burnout and loss of direction
 ⭐ The difference between short-term performance and sustainable high performance
 ⭐ How internal alignment creates clarity in health, relationships, and leadership

Key discussion points:

00:01 Welcome + Who Is Bryan Hedrick
 01:41 Why Identity Stability Matters
 03:03 The “X-Factor” in Human Performance
 06:46 When Identity Is Tied to Labels
 07:52 Sustainable Performance vs. Chasing Metrics
 10:39 Why Some People Change and Others Don’t
 14:03 The Stability of Self Inventory (S2I) Framework
 16:07 Values, Agency, and Internal Alignment
 22:00 Identity Under Pressure
 31:02 Coaching, Growth, and Inner Work
 35:59 Leadership Is for Everyone
 38:31 Final Truth: An Upright Inner World

To learn more about Bryan's work: https://www.corefocusperformancecoaching.com/

For Bryan's assessment: https://www.lacunaleadership.com/

🤝 Let’s Connect: linktr.ee/michelledutro 
🌐 Learn more: www.michelledutro.com 
🏞️ Retreat Center: www.innernorthstar.com

Send us Fan Mail

Summary:

Discover how to rewire your brain for permanent high performance and limitless focus. In this episode of The Game Changer Podcast, Michelle Dutro sits down with John Kennedy to reveal the science behind neuroplasticity and cognitive training. While these methods started in high-stakes environments, they are now available to help ANYONE improve focus, reduce anxiety, and sharpen decision-making. 

We discuss how specific brain training exercises can transform the way you think, helping you reach your full potential regardless of your starting point. 

In this episode, you will learn: 

🧠 How neuroplasticity allows you to physically change your brain structure at any age 

🧠 Simple neuroscience hacks to instantly improve focus and mental clarity 

🧠 Why cognitive training offers a permanent solution to burnout and stress 

🧠 How to turn unique brain traits into hidden strengths through targeted practice 

Key discussion points: 

00:00 Introduction to Brain Training 

01:20 John Kennedy's Journey 

08:39 The Impact of Brain Training on Performance 

12:29 Exercises and Techniques for Brain Training 

16:27 Addressing Anxiety and Stress through Brain Training 

20:26 The Role of Brain Training in Goal Setting 

27:27 Understanding Brain Training Solutions 

29:12 The Impact of Environment on Cognitive Development 

30:37 Transforming Mental Traits into Superpowers 

33:30 The Longevity of Brain Changes 

35:04 Neural Primers for Quick Mental Boosts 

36:45 Training for High-Stress Situations 

39:53 Addressing Trauma Symptoms 

42:05 Practical Advice for Everyday Awareness 

45:10 Accessing Brain Training Programs 

To learn more go to: https://combatbraintraining.com/

🤝 Let’s Connect: linktr.ee/michelledutro 
🌐 Learn more: www.michelledutro.com 
🏞️ Retreat Center: www.innernorthstar.com

Send us Fan Mail

Summary

Have you ever considered walking with weight? In this episode of the Game Changer podcast, host Michelle Dutro interviews Kayla Girgen, a registered dietitian and founder of Sugar and Strength Academy. They discuss the concept of rucking, which is walking with weight, and its benefits for both physical and mental health. Kayla shares her journey into rucking, the importance of nutrition, and how to create a sustainable lifestyle that focuses on overall well-being rather than just weight loss. The conversation emphasizes the accessibility of rucking for all fitness levels and the necessity of spending time in nature for mental clarity and health.  

Takeaways 

Rucking is a simple and effective way to build strength.

It offers both physical and mental benefits.

Rucking is low impact and suitable for all ages.

Proper footwear is crucial for a safe rucking experience.

Nutrition plays a key role in overall health and fitness.

Balancing blood sugar can help manage cravings and energy levels.

Creating a goal lifestyle is more important than focusing on weight loss.

Small, sustainable changes lead to long-term success.

Spending time in nature is essential for mental health.

Rucking can be done anywhere, making it a versatile exercise. 

Get Kayla's New Book: Ruck Fit -  https://www.amazon.com/Ruck-Fit-Strength-Endurance-Walking/dp/1324111526

To Keep Up with Kayla's latest projects, and her Sugar And Strength Academy:

https://kaylagirgenrd.mn.co/

Chapters-

00:00 Introduction to Kayla Girgen

02:23 Understanding Rucking: A New Approach to Fitness

06:20 Physical and Mental Benefits of Rucking

11:10 Rucking for All Ages: Addressing Joint Concerns

15:59 Getting Started with Rucking: Tips and Techniques

21:20 The Importance of Footwear in Rucking

22:44 Nutrition Insights: Balancing Calories and Blood Sugar

28:50 Creating a Goal Lifestyle: Beyond Weight Loss

34:32 Final Thoughts: Nature as a Necessity

🤝 Let’s Connect: linktr.ee/michelledutro 
🌐 Learn more: www.michelledutro.com 
🏞️ Retreat Center: www.innernorthstar.com

Send us Fan Mail

"What if you could repair your body without going under the knife? Discover why a top neurosurgeon is pivoting to stem cells and what this 'cutting edge' science means for your longevity."

In this episode of the Game Changer podcast, host Michelle Dutro engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Dr. Jeff Gross, a neurosurgeon who has ventured into the realm of regenerative and immune-based therapies. They discuss the importance of mindset in embracing new medical innovations, the mechanisms behind stem cell therapy, and its applications in treating injuries and chronic diseases. Dr. Gross shares insights on the role of natural killer cells in cancer treatment and the significance of rebuilding the immune system post-treatment. The conversation emphasizes the need for continuous learning and seeking reliable information in the evolving landscape of healthcare.

Takeaways

• The new year is a time for new perspectives.
• Innovation in medicine can be uncomfortable but necessary.
• Patients often resist new possibilities despite their potential benefits.
• Stem cell therapy taps into the body's self-healing mechanisms.
• Aging affects our healing capabilities due to accumulated cellular junk.
• Inflammation is a common factor in many chronic diseases.
• Natural killer cells play a crucial role in cancer treatment.
• Rebuilding the immune system is essential after traditional treatments.
• Mindset is key in embracing alternative health approaches.
• Continuous learning is vital in the ever-evolving field of medicine.

To learn more go to: https://recellebrate.com/

Chapters

00:00Introduction to New Perspectives in Medicine

03:09Dr. Jeff Gross: A Journey Beyond Traditional Medicine

05:57Understanding Stem Cell Therapy and Its Mechanisms

09:00The Role of Stem Cells in Injury Recovery

11:48Exploring Chronic Diseases and Inflammation

15:11Natural Killer Cells and Cancer Treatment

17:56Rebuilding the Immune System Post-Treatment

20:59Mindset: Embracing Change in Health Approaches

24:11Finding Reliable Information and Resources

26:48The Future of Regenerative Medicine

29:59Conclusion: The Importance of Continuous Learning

🤝 Let’s Connect: linktr.ee/michelledutro 
🌐 Learn more: www.michelledutro.com 
🏞️ Retreat Center: www.innernorthstar.com

Send us Fan Mail

What if creativity wasn’t about talent or productivity—but about presence, healing, and self-compassion?

In this episode of The Game Changer Podcast, host Michelle Dutro is joined by Cynthia Hauk, founder of Mindful Creative Muse, for a deeply grounding conversation on how mindful art can support stress reduction, emotional healing, and personal growth.

Cynthia shares how combining mindfulness with simple, accessible art practices helps quiet the inner critic, soften perfectionism, and gently process emotions—without forcing stillness or creating “good” art.

This episode explores:

• Why mindful art is especially helpful for people who struggle with meditation
• How creativity can release emotional and mental blocks
• The role of art in healing during illness, trauma, and burnout
• How slowing down—safely and gently—can restore clarity and connection
• Simple ways to begin using mindful art as self-care

Whether you’re navigating overwhelm, burnout, a health challenge, or simply feeling disconnected from yourself, this conversation offers a compassionate and practical invitation back to presence.

🔗 Resources Mentioned

• Free Workbook: Mindful Art for Self-Care (linked below)
• Website: https://mindfulcreativemuse.com
• YouTube: Mindful Creative Muse

Download your Free Workbook Mindful Art for Self-Care --> https://learn.mindfulcreativemuse.com/mindful-art-workbook-for-self-care

SoulCollage® for Stress Relief and Self-Love --> https://learn.mindfulcreativemuse.com/3-hour-intuitive-collage-for-self-love-retreat 

00:01 – Welcome & Introduction
Michelle introduces Cynthia and sets the tone for a gentle, inspiring conversation on art and mindfulness.

01:45 – What Is Mindful Art?
How Cynthia blends mindfulness with accessible art practices for healing and self-care.

02:49 – “I’m Not Creative” & Other Common Blocks
Why mindful art is especially helpful for people who resist art or meditation.

07:30 – Releasing Creative & Mental Blocks
How mindful art lowers pressure and opens creative flow.

09:54 – Perfectionism, Self-Criticism & Kindness
How mindful art softens harsh inner narratives and changes how we show up in life.

11:41 – When Self-Care Becomes Another To-Do
The difference between presence and productivity—even in wellness practices.

13:49 – Avoidance, Trauma & Fear of Slowing Down
How mindful art offers safe anchor points when emotions feel overwhelming.

18:22 – Art, Healing & Medical Challenges
How creative practices supported Cynthia during illness, isolation, and grief.

21:16 – Art vs. Vision Boards
Using images as reflection—not manifestation.

23:50 – Mindful Art & Communication
How connecting with yourself improves connection with others.

25:55 – 15-Minute Mindful Art Practices You Can Try Today
Simple exercises using breath, music, and body awareness.

28:28 – How to Learn More with Cynthia
Free resources, website, and guided practices.

29:28 – One Truth Cynthia Lives By
Why creativity is everyone’s birthright.

29:54 – Closing Reflections & Invitation
Michelle wraps up with gratitude and encouragement to explore mindful art.

📌 Subscribe for more conversations on purpose, healing, stress reduction, and conscious living.

🤝 Let’s Connect: linktr.ee/michelledutro 
🌐 Learn more: www.michelledutro.com 
🏞️ Retreat Center: www.innernorthstar.com