Unscripted and unfiltered thoughts about being unsettled and producing the podcast.

Have you ever looked at your life and thought, “I should be further along by now”? Career, health, relationships, or dreams, it’s easy to confuse being unfinished with being broken. But they’re not the same.

In this episode, I unpack why “unfinished” is a sign of movement, not failure, and how to reframe the messy middle as growth in action. You’ll learn:

Why the myth of “arrival” leaves so many high performers stuck.

How to reframe unfinished work as opportunity instead of weakness.

Practical tools (journal prompts, reframing exercises, and real-life applications) to help you stay grounded while still hungry for progress.

Why the middle of your story isn’t failure, it’s the proof you’re still writing.

If you’ve ever felt behind, stuck, or frustrated that things aren’t happening fast enough, this episode will remind you: unfinished doesn’t mean broken, it means you’re still building.

Listen now and share with someone who needs the reminder that the middle isn’t failure, it’s progress.

Keywords: unfinished, growth, resilience, adaptability, mindset, high performance, personal development, leadership, performance psychology, mental toughness, stress management, ambition vs peace, career transitions, self-reflection

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🔗 Connect with Neil → @Life_of_Neil - TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@life_of_neil) - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@life_of_neil) - Twitch (https://www.twitch.tv/life_of_neil)

#stayunsettled #podcast #motivation #inspiration #mindset #selfhelp #selfimprovement #mindfulness #selfcare #newpodcast

Ritual vs Routine: Anchoring Without Getting Stuck

Rituals and routines are powerful anchors. Habits that bring stability, focus, and confidence when life feels uncertain. But what happens when the habits that once grounded you start to feel like chains?

Unpack the difference between rituals and routines, why both matter for high performance, and how to avoid turning them into rigid superstitions that limit your adaptability.

You’ll learn:

The key differences between ritual and routine.

How each plays a unique role in resilience and performance.

Why anchors are essential for leaders, athletes, and high achievers.

The hidden danger of getting stuck in your habits.

A simple framework to stay grounded without losing flexibility: Ground – Adapt – Grow.

If you’ve ever felt trapped by your own habits, or anxious when you couldn’t stick to your routine, this episode will help you reframe rituals and routines as tools for growth instead of chains that hold you back.

Listen now and share with someone who leans on rituals and routines but may need the reminder that adaptability is the real mark of resilience.

Keywords: rituals, routines, resilience, adaptability, mental performance, high performers, leadership, daily habits, burnout recovery, performance psychology, mindset, stress management, personal growth, ambition vs peace.

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☕ Support the podcast → Buy Me A Coffee (https://buymeacoffee.com/life_of_neil)

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🔗 Connect with Neil → @Life_of_Neil

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- YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@life_of_neil)

- Twitch (https://www.twitch.tv/life_of_neil)

#stayunsettled #podcast #motivation #inspiration #mindset #selfhelp #selfimprovement #mindfulness #selfcare #newpodcast

From Bedroom Jam to Business Enterprise

Zach Adkins is a nationally recognized guitar player and entrepreneur from Omaha, Nebraska. After winning the Ibanez Flying Fingers competition in 2017, Zach built more than a music career—he built a business empire. Today, his company operates four thriving music schools serving hundreds of students while also mentoring educators who want to scale their own programs.

In this conversation, Zach shares his journey from bedroom guitarist to business owner, the discipline that fuels both his playing and leadership, and what it takes to turn passion into sustainable success. We explore the balance between creativity and entrepreneurship, and how Zach is shaping the future of music education while still staying true to the craft that started it all.

Whether you’re a musician, entrepreneur, or someone chasing a dream bigger than yourself, Zach’s story offers both inspiration and practical insight.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

• How Zach went from competition winner to music school founder

• The challenges and lessons of scaling to four locations

• The daily discipline behind musical mastery and business success

• Why mentorship and systems matter in both music and entrepreneurship

• What’s next for Zach as a performer and leader

This episode is about more than music. It’s about vision, grit, and daring to build something that lasts.

Because ambition isn’t the enemy of peace.

And peace doesn’t mean standing still.

Stay grounded.

Stay unsettled.

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☕ Support the podcast → Buy Me A Coffee (https://buymeacoffee.com/life_of_neil)

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🔗 Connect with Neil → @Life_of_Neil

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- Twitch (https://www.twitch.tv/life_of_neil)

🎧 Listen on all podcast platforms

- Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/5vQ4Pnxj1FxxPHNHwu93RD)

- Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unsettled-with-neil-wattier/id1833676118)

- RSS.com web site (https://rss.com/podcasts/unsettled-with-neil-wattier/?_gl=1%2a98fffs%2a_gcl_au%2aODM1OTE5MzkwLjE3NTI1NDQ5MDI.#episodes)

- Pandora (https://www.pandora.com/podcast/unsettled-with-neil-wattier/PC:1001108036)

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This week I welcome content creator Dan Costa (@dkcostaa) as we dive into the grind of streaming, the power of humor, and building resilience while chasing growth. From Twitch reactions to TikTok clips and YouTube events, Dan shares what it takes to stay consistent, connect with community, and create authentically in a noisy digital world.

Follow Dan on Twitch, TikTok & YouTube → @dkcostaa

🎧 Subscribe to Unsettled with Neil Wattier for more on resilience, ambition, and purpose.

Keywords: Twitch streamer, TikTok creator, YouTube gaming, content creation grind, resilience, humor, streaming community, growth mindset, online entertainment.

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☕ Support the podcast → Buy Me A Coffee (https://buymeacoffee.com/life_of_neil)

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- Twitch (https://www.twitch.tv/life_of_neil)

🎧 Listen on all podcast platforms

- Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/5vQ4Pnxj1FxxPHNHwu93RD)

- Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unsettled-with-neil-wattier/id1833676118)

- RSS.com web site (https://rss.com/podcasts/unsettled-with-neil-wattier/?_gl=1%2a98fffs%2a_gcl_au%2aODM1OTE5MzkwLjE3NTI1NDQ5MDI.#episodes)

- Pandora (https://www.pandora.com/podcast/unsettled-with-neil-wattier/PC:1001108036)

- iHeartRadio (https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-unsettled-with-neil-wattie-289725707)

#stayunsettled #podcast #motivation #inspiration #mindset #selfhelp #selfimprovement #mindfulness #selfcare #newpodcast

Being capable is a gift, but for many high performers, it feels like a curse. When you’re the one people can always count on, your reliability often makes you invisible. The better you perform, the less people notice.

We explore the hidden weight of being the “go-to” person: the emotional fallout of invisibility, why culture and leadership often overlook the steady performers, and how to reframe capability so it becomes a source of strength instead of silent burnout.

You’ll learn:

• Why high achievers often feel unseen despite their results
• The emotional cost of always being reliable
• How to set boundaries without losing respect
• Practical tools to move from invisible executor to indispensable leader

If you’ve ever carried the weight quietly, wondering why consistency goes unnoticed, this episode will help you reclaim your value and let yourself be seen.

Listen now and share with the friend or colleague who “always has it together,” because they may be carrying more than anyone realizes.

Keywords: high performers, burnout recovery, resilience, leadership, reliability, ambition vs peace, high achievers, workplace identity, quiet strength, grounded masculinity, performance psychology, personal growth.

__________________________________

☕ Support the podcast → Buy Me A Coffee (https://buymeacoffee.com/life_of_neil)

📺 Subscribe for weekly episodes → Subscribe (https://www.youtube.com/@life_of_neil?sub_confirmation=1)

🔗 Connect with Neil → @Life_of_Neil

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- YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@life_of_neil)

- Twitch (https://www.twitch.tv/life_of_neil)

#stayunsettled #podcast #motivation #inspiration #mindset #selfhelp #selfimprovement #mindfulness #selfcare #newpodcast

Have you ever felt guilty for being grateful? Maybe you worry that if you stop to appreciate what you already have, you’ll lose your fire to push forward. Or maybe you feel like your accomplishments aren’t “big enough” to deserve gratitude in the first place.

In this solo episode of Unsettled with Neil Wattier, I unpack the tension between gratitude and complacency, why high performers often confuse slowing down with falling behind, and how gratitude can actually fuel resilience, ambition, and performance.

Drawing from personal experience growing up in a high-conflict home and years of working with leaders, athletes, and professionals, I share strategies to reframe gratitude as a performance tool, not a threat to your drive. You’ll learn how to pause, feel your successes, and sit still without settling.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why driven people often mistake gratitude for complacency
• The hidden impact of childhood conflict and criticism on self-doubt and self-talk
• How to reframe gratitude as a source of resilience and sustained performance
• Practical ways to integrate gratitude into your daily life without losing momentum
• How to balance ambition with appreciation so you can grow and feel fulfilled

If you’ve ever struggled to enjoy the wins along the way—or felt guilty for pausing—you’ll want to listen to this episode.

Discover how to use gratitude as fuel, not friction.

Keywords & SEO Phrases:

gratitude vs complacency, gratitude and performance, high performers and gratitude, resilience and gratitude, gratitude without losing ambition, driven people gratitude, gratitude in personal growth, gratitude for leaders

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☕ Support the podcast → Buy Me A Coffee (https://buymeacoffee.com/life_of_neil)

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🔗 Connect with Neil → @Life_of_Neil

- TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@life_of_neil)

- YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@life_of_neil)

- Twitch (https://www.twitch.tv/life_of_neil)

#stayunsettled #podcast #motivation #inspiration #mindset #selfhelp #selfimprovement #mindfulness #selfcare #newpodcast

Unsettled with Neil Wattier

Episode 5: Jackson Gray

From College Captain to Pro Rugby Dreams with Jackson Gray

Jackson Gray was the two-time captain of Grand Canyon University Rugby, now chasing a dream to play in Major League Rugby and potentially represent the United States on the national team.

Jackson shares what it was like to step into the captain’s role, how he built on the foundation laid by his predecessors, and the lessons learned from leading a collegiate program through growth and adversity. We explore the mindset shift from “rugby is over” after college to “what if I keep going” as he considers a professional career.

This conversation isn’t just about rugby. It’s about leadership, resilience, and embracing the unknown when your path takes an unexpected turn. Whether you’re an athlete, a leader, or someone navigating your next big chapter, Jackson’s story offers both inspiration and practical takeaways.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

• How Jackson transitioned from player to captain and what he learned from past leaders
• The challenges and opportunities of leading a collegiate rugby program
• The moment he thought his rugby career was done, and what changed his mind
• What he’s learning as he prepares for a possible professional and national team career
• The role of mentorship, resilience, and self-belief in chasing big goals

This episode is a reminder that leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about building on what came before you, learning as you go, and daring to imagine a future bigger than you thought possible.

Because ambition isn’t the enemy of peace. And peace doesn’t mean standing still.

Stay grounded.

Stay unsettled.

__________________________________

☕ Support the podcast → Buy Me A Coffee (https://buymeacoffee.com/life_of_neil)

📺 Subscribe for weekly episodes → Subscribe (https://www.youtube.com/@life_of_neil?sub_confirmation=1)

🔗 Connect with Neil → @Life_of_Neil

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- YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@life_of_neil)

- Twitch (https://www.twitch.tv/life_of_neil)

Unsettled with Neil Wattier explores the tension between ambition and presence, between building something meaningful and staying grounded while you do it. This podcast is for those wired to chase, build, and lead… who have arrived at success but still felt restless while quietly wondering, “Why doesn’t this feel like enough?” We name the tension and we learn to live in it without burning out or checking out. Through solo reflections and honest conversations, we dive into growth, identity, resilience, and what it means to become who you’re meant to be, without losing who you already are. Host Neil Wattier blends lived experience, performance psychology, and calm strength to help you pursue more without sacrificing peace. You’ll walk away with tools, stories, and mindsets to stay centered in the pull between the now and the next. Because ambition isn’t the enemy of peace. And peace doesn’t mean standing still. Welcome to the tension

#stayunsettled #podcast #motivation #inspiration #mindset #selfhelp #selfimprovement #mindfulness #selfcare #newpodcast

High achievers often resist calm because it feels like slowing down, losing momentum, or being “lazy.” But the truth is, calm is a competitive advantage. In this episode of Unsettled with Neil Wattier, I explore why ambitious people struggle with stillness, the hidden costs of living in chaos, and how nervous system regulation can transform your performance, leadership, and resilience.

If you’ve ever felt restless when things get quiet or guilty for not “grinding,” this episode will help you reframe calm, not as weakness, but as fuel for sustained success.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• Why calm feels uncomfortable (and even unsafe) for driven people
• The link between stress, chaos, and high performer burnout
• How calm builds focus, emotional regulation, and decision-making power
• Simple mental performance tools to train calm without losing your edge
• How to shift your mindset so calm feels like strength, not laziness

Calm is not laziness. It’s a performance multiplier. Learning to ground yourself under pressure separates leaders who burn out from those who build lasting excellence.

Because ambition isn’t the enemy of peace. And peace doesn’t mean standing still.

Stay grounded. Stay unsettled.

__________________________________

☕ Support the podcast → Buy Me A Coffee (https://buymeacoffee.com/life_of_neil)

📺 Subscribe for weekly episodes → Subscribe (https://www.youtube.com/@life_of_neil?sub_confirmation=1)

🔗 Connect with Neil → @Life_of_Neil

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- Twitch (https://www.twitch.tv/life_of_neil)

#stayunsettled #podcast #motivation #inspiration #mindset #selfhelp #selfimprovement #mindfulness #selfcare #newpodcast

We’ve all been told the same lie: once you hit that milestone, promotion, paycheck, body, title, you’ll finally feel complete. But arrival never feels the way we think it will.

In this episode of Unsettled with Neil Wattier, Neil unpacks The Myth of Arrival—the false promise that external achievements equal lasting peace or fulfillment. Drawing on real-world examples from sports, military, and culture, he explains why post-achievement emptiness is so common, and why you’re not broken for feeling restless—you’re just not done becoming.

You’ll discover:

- Why chasing milestones leaves you restless

- The emotional fallout of “arrival” and how to normalize it

- Three reframes to shift from chasing outcomes to living in alignment:

• Identity Over Outcome

• Process Over Milestone
• Meaning Over Metrics

- Practical reflection prompts to anchor peace in your present, not your next achievement

Key takeaway: There is no arrival. But there is anchoring in your purpose, identity, and present moment.

Stay grounded. Stay unsettled.

__________________________________

☕ Support the podcast → Buy Me A Coffee (https://buymeacoffee.com/life_of_neil)

📺 Subscribe for weekly episodes → Subscribe (https://www.youtube.com/@life_of_neil?sub_confirmation=1)

🔗 Connect with Neil → @Life_of_Neil

- TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@life_of_neil)

- YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@life_of_neil)

- Twitch (https://www.twitch.tv/life_of_neil)

🎧 Listen on all podcast platforms

- Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/5vQ4Pnxj1FxxPHNHwu93RD)

- Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unsettled-with-neil-wattier/id1833676118)

- RSS.com web site (https://rss.com/podcasts/unsettled-with-neil-wattier/?_gl=1%2a98fffs%2a_gcl_au%2aODM1OTE5MzkwLjE3NTI1NDQ5MDI.#episodes)

- Pandora (https://www.pandora.com/podcast/unsettled-with-neil-wattier/PC:1001108036)

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#stayunsettled #podcast #motivation #inspiration #mindset #selfhelp #selfimprovement #mindfulness #selfcare #newpodcast