Most people do not need another reminder that discipline matters. They need a way to return to themselves when life, noise, pressure, and old patterns start running the show.

Jeff Jones, Head Football Athletic Performance Coach at the University of Northern Iowa and author of The Intentional Edge: 10 Reps to Mental Toughness, joins L. Michael Burt on The ThriveWell Journey for a conversation about training the mind before pressure arrives.

Jeff does not treat mental toughness like a speech. He treats it like reps: write it down, train the focus, create your own scorecard, and keep doing the drill. Michael and Jeff talk about why people can know better and still not move differently, how phones steal focus, why identity cannot live on a scoreboard, and what happens when public success hides private exhaustion.

Key ideas include mental toughness training, self-talk as a drill, focus in the phone era, identity beyond titlesand outcomes, ownership without shame, and the slow invisible work of rebuilding self-trust

Key ideas:

• Mental toughness is trained through daily reps

• Focus has to be protected before the phone owns it

• Identity needs to be bigger than a role, title, result, or scoreboard

• Self-talk is not just motivation; it is a drill

• Small consistent reps create invisible impact over time

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Jeff Jones

04:13 From athletic performance to whole-person coaching

06:26 Why mental toughness has to be trained

07:47 The mindset behind reaching your potential

09:49 How the mind affects physical performance

11:12 Becoming a game-changing coach

12:09 Coaching the scheme, the mind, and the heart

13:50 Why the mind needs reps, not reminders

15:01 Building resilience through identity and values

18:19 Finding who you are beyond external validation

19:58 Mental drills for focus and toughness

21:21 Control the controllables

24:04 What changes when you focus on what you can control

27:22 Human nature, habits, and performance

30:59 Why knowing better does not always change behavior

34:30 Responding to adversity without losing yourself

37:07 Daily focus and small wins

40:31 Internal focus versus external validation

44:18 Identity beyond your profession or title

47:22 Creating your own success scorecard

50:18 Intentional effort and the habits that shape you

52:08 How phone addiction affects focus and performance

54:42 Setting better boundaries with technology

58:50 Patience, repetition, and consistent effort

01:05:29 Do the work and keep showing up

Connect w/ Jeff Jones

Instagram: @coachjeffjones

Book: THE INTENTIONAL EDGE

You Did Not Lose Your Way: https://alignment.lmichaelburt.com/

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You can lose a job, change direction, or realize the work no longer fits without immediately knowing what the next chapter is supposed to look like. The hard part is that work can become tangled up with identity. When the title changes, the question can become bigger than “What job do I get next?” It can become “Who am I now?”

Carlee Wolfe joins L. Michael Burt for a conversation about what happens in that middle space. Carlee works across organizational change, talent, coaching, workforce development, and community work. She also knows career disruption personally. During the pandemic, she experienced job loss and the questions that can follow even when you understand that a larger change is happening.

One of the most useful turns in the conversation begins with a familiar phrase: “trust the process.” Carlee admits the phrase can be both motivating and frustrating because trust is hard to touch when you are still inside the uncertainty. Together, Carlee andMichael develop another way to think about it: touch the process. What can you see, do, honor, or complete today that gives you something real to stand on?

That can be as small as showing up for coffee when you said you would, putting the phone down and going to bed, or simply picking up the book you keep saying you are going to read. The point is not that tiny actions magically solve a career transition. The point is that commitments compound, and each one can become evidence of how you are choosing to show up.

Key ideas from the conversation:

• Why career change can shake identity even when the change makes sense

• How to separate who you are from the title or organization attached to you

• Why curiosity can come before clarity

• How small commitments create something tangible inside an uncertain process

• Carlee’s 3 Cs: curiosity, clarity, and confident action

• The 3 Essentials: information, support, and encouragement

Connect with Carlee Wolfe:

https://carleewolfe.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/carleeawolfe

If this conversation gives you something useful, follow The ThriveWell Journey, rate the show on your podcast platform, and share the episode with someone navigating a transition. Those simple actions help more people find the work.

You Did Not Lose Your Way: https://alignment.lmichaelburt.com/

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The ThriveWell Journey is hosted by L. Michael Burt and produced by FAYEWAY Media.

Purpose After Disruption. Let’s Make Thriving Our New Normal

Atiba de Souza learned leadership through the consequences of getting it wrong.

He describes a period when his reactions and leadership style burned people out and cost him employees. Eventually, the pattern demanded a harder question: what did he need to change?

That opens a conversation with L. Michael Burt about leadership after disruption. Atiba shares becoming a single father after his wife left, what destruction can teach us about creation, and how examining himself changed the way he led.

Atiba breaks leadership into three practices: set vision, be open, and ask great questions. The goal is to develop people who can think, exercise judgment, and make strong decisions without waiting for the leader's answer.

TAKEAWAYS

• Leadership is a skill that is learned and practiced, not a title earned.
• Effective leaders focus on developing their people and asking great questions.
• Destruction is a necessary part of creation and growth.
• Being open and honest about your feelings fosters trust and better communication.
• Hard times are part of life, but they can be the foundation for future success.
• A leader's primary role is to help their team improve and succeed.
• Asking the right questions can unlock solutions and new perspectives.
• Leadership is about creating a culture where questions are encouraged.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Atiba de Souza's Leadership Journey

00:28 Introduction to leadership and questioning

01:55 Leadership as a Skill, Not a Title

02:51 The power of asking questions to empower others

04:01 The Role of Destruction in Creation

07:02 Personal Story of Resilience and Transformation

07:05 Developing independent thinking through probing questions

12:00 Life's Challenges as Opportunities for Growth

12:01 Using first principles to solve problems

17:01 Creating a culture of curiosity and learning

18:04 The Power of Emotional Openness in Leadership

21:59 The role of values in leadership and culture

24:00 Developing Leaders Through Questions and Vision

27:03 Strategies for effective delegation and leadership growth

30:02 The Importance of Trust and Authenticity

31:57 Understanding human nature and communication

36:10 Handling Difficult Situations with Clarity and Calm

37:00 The importance of self-awareness and continuous improvement

41:56 Real-world examples of leadership in action

43:59 The Future of Leadership and Small Business Impact

47:05 The impact of leadership on organizational success

52:00 Final thoughts on leadership and living by first principles

CONNECT WITH ATIBA DE SOUZA

The Delegation Trap: It’s Not Them, It’s You https://thedelegationtrap.com/

https://www.atibadesouza.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/atibadesouza/

https://instagram.com/atibadesouza

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You can look strong on the outside and still be running on survival underneath.

Russell Harvey joins The ThriveWell Journey for a grounded conversation about real resilience, leadership under pressure, and what it means to keep moving through change without losing yourself in the process.

L. Michael Burt and Russell talk through the difference between surviving, coping, and thriving, and why resilience is not just about bouncing back after a hard season. Real resilience is about learning from what happened, getting back up differently, and building the awareness, support, purpose, and energy to move forward with more clarity.

This conversation also gets into the pressure leaders and entrepreneurs are carrying right now, especially with uncertainty, AI, constant change, business demands, and the private weight of trying to stay strong for everyone else.

Russell shares how the Resilience Wheel helps people look at purpose, confidence, adaptability, support, meaning, and energy in a practical way. He also explains why thriving does not mean everything is perfect. Sometimes thriving means there is a lot going on, and you can still honestly say, “I’m good.”

This episode is for leaders, entrepreneurs, builders, and high performers who are tired of calling survival resilience and are ready to build something deeper, steadier, and more honest.

Key Topics

• Understanding VUCA and its impact on individuals and organizations
• The difference between surviving, coping, and thriving
• Building internal resilience through reflection and purpose
• The role of vulnerability and emotional intelligence in leadership
• Using strengths-based approaches to foster team resilience
• The importance of purpose and healthy emotional drivers
• Strategies for leaders to support their teams' resilience
• The impact of interconnectedness and AI on resilience

Chapters

00:00 The Landscape of Resilience

02:58 Understanding VUCA and Its Impact

06:14 Situational Awareness and Resilience

09:04 Springing Forward: The True Meaning of Resilience

11:49 The Role of Reflection in Building Resilience

14:54 Personal Experiences and the Journey of Resilience

17:57 The Resilience Wheel: A Framework for Growth

20:59 Redundancy and Identity: Navigating Job Loss

27:28 Emotional Intelligence and Resilience

29:39 Building Resilient Teams

32:56 Leadership and Vulnerability

38:42 Understanding Pressure and Resilience

42:01 AI and Human Resilience

45:38 Nurturing Resilience in Uncertain Times

51:40 Purpose and Healthy Emotional Drivers

Connect w/ Russell Harvey

Resilience Wheel - https://www.theresiliencecoach.co.uk/

Strengthscope - https://strengthscope.com/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7I3drJnBFZvvxHZDPPHM5Q/videos

A sixth-grade teacher told George Tinsley Sr. to quit school. Years later, he was teaching wealthy KFC franchisees how to run their businesses. What changed between those two moments?

George joins L. Michael Burt to discuss building self-confidence through responsibility, basketball, and the experiences he carried into unfamiliar roles. He remembers the woman who raised him, the teacher who trusted him with the school projector, and the opportunities that opened after his playing career. The conversation also explores rebuilding a restaurant after a fire and giving employees a first chance.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to George Tinsley's Journey

02:01 Reflections on Identity and Self-Perception

04:35 From Pennebaker to Tinsley: A Life Transformed

07:46 Overcoming Childhood Challenges and Building Self-Esteem

12:24 The Role of Faith and Community Support

18:37 Athletic Achievements and College Success

22:29 Transition to Professional Basketball and Entrepreneurship

30:27 Starting in Franchising and Overcoming Financial Barriers

37:36 Resilience in Business: Rebuilding After Setbacks

45:10 Maintaining Positivity and Overcoming Adversity

54:23 Legacy, Impact, and Giving Back

01:02:33 Living with Purpose and Continuing the Journey

His book, Catch as Catch Can, brings those life lessons together.

Explore George’s books and speaking: Tinsley Speaks

Follow The ThriveWell Journey

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Adam Olsen joins L. Michael Burt to discuss building a real estate business through follow-up systems, abundance, social media marketing, client service, market strategy, and sales discipline. This episode is for entrepreneurs and real estate professionals who need to move beyond ideas and build the structure that turns opportunities into results.

KEY TOPICS

The importance of relentless follow-up in real estate

Operating with an abundance mindset versus scarcity mindset

Using social media and video to build brand awareness

Adapting marketing strategies during market downturns

The role of discipline and high energy in sales success

Building systems and organization for scalable growth

The impact of market conditions on real estate transactions

Creating value and trust to generate referrals

Chapters

00:00 Going All In: The Key to Success

03:11 The Importance of Follow-Through

06:03 Building a Business: Structure and Discipline

08:53 The Reality of Entrepreneurship

12:10 Overcoming Challenges and Bad Days

15:04 The Drive Behind Success

18:04 Lessons from Childhood and Early Career

25:10 Building Relationships Over Transactions

34:06 The Impact of Institutional Buyers on Real Estate

43:58 Navigating Market Volatility and Lead Flow Issues

49:37 Navigating Responsibilities and Investment Strategies

50:05 Doubling Down in Times of Uncertainty

51:03 Understanding Market Psychology

52:42 The Importance of Basics in Business

53:40 The Power of Community Engagement

56:05 Creative Marketing Strategies for Growth

59:24 Leveraging Social Media for Business Success

01:01:51 Analyzing Market Trends and Consumer Behavior

01:04:46 Creating Buzz with Strategic Giveaways

01:07:29 High Energy and Positive Engagement in Business

01:10:14 The Interconnectedness of Business Strategies

Resources

Adam Olson Team - https://adamolsonteam.com

The Commercial Professionals - https://thecommercialprofessionals.com

Guest Links

Website - https://adamolsonteam.com

Facebook - https://facebook.com/AdamS.Olson

Instagram - https://instagram.com/AdamS.Olson

Download the free mirror exercise: You Did Not Lose Your Way https://bit.ly/YouDidNotLoseYourWayV3

Book a free discovery call:

The Alignment Reset https://calendly.com/lmichaelburt-thethrivewelljourney/empowerment-discovery-call

Join our community: www.thethrivewelljourney.com

Business funding for founders is not just about getting access to money. It is about understanding timing, terms, structure, and whether the capital actually supports the business you are building. L. Michael Burt speaks with Cole Reifler, Founder and CEO of Zenith Group Advisors, about funding decisions, bootstrapping, private credit, alternative lending, and the pressure founders face when their dream needs money.

This conversation helps entrepreneurs think more clearly about when to seek capital, what to avoid in bad funding offers, and why money should strengthen the business instead of keeping a weak structure alive. Cole also shares how access to capital shapes who gets to build, scale, and compete, including his prior work connected to financial access for women entrepreneurs.

For leaders and builders rebuilding direction after disruption, this episode connects finance to self-leadership, discernment, and aligned success.

Takeaways

• Access to capital is crucial for growth, but understanding when and how to seek funding is key.
• Creative financing can be a game-changer for startups and entrepreneurs.
• Bootstrapping should be maximized before seeking external funding.
• Private credit and alternative funding options are viable but require careful evaluation.

Chapter

00:00 Cole Reifler and the Finance Access Problem

02:44 Who Gets Access to Capital and Who Does Not

04:25 Bringing Creativity Into Finance

06:03 Helping Founders Understand Capital

08:29 When Bootstrapping Needs to Shift

11:17 What Founders Should Do When the Dream Needs Money

13:11 Spending Capital to Create More Capital

14:42 Build the Boat While You Are on the Water

15:57 Intentional Business Building Before Funding

18:24 Funding Terms That Can Box You In

20:56 Traditional Funding vs Alternative Funding

23:05 When Founders Get Emotionally Attached to Money

24:17 Private Credit Misconceptions

26:56 Arora and the Gender Lending Gap

31:53 Zenith Group Advisors and Finance Access

33:49 Who Zenith Helps

35:24 Entrepreneurship Challenging Financial Systems

38:14 Advice for Founders Seeking Funding

39:24 How to Connect with Cole Reifler

40:22 Why Finance Can Make or Break a Business

41:43 Final Thoughts

Connect w/ Cole Reifler:

Aurora - Supporting Women Entrepreneurs - https://aurora.com

Zenith - Financial Support for Businesses - https://zenith.com

Download the free mirror exercise: You Did Not Lose Your Way https://bit.ly/YouDidNotLoseYourWayV3

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Be a guest on The Thrivewell Journey Podcast? Send L. Michael Burt a message on #PodMatch,

https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/thethrivewelljourney

Join our community: www.thethrivewelljourney.com

Buying property without emotion starts with having a real estate strategy before you make an offer. Hadley Nightingale, founder of New Zealand Property Buyers, joins L. Michael Burt to talk about property investing, first-home mistakes, buyer representation, wealth building, and why strategy matters more than speed.

Hadley shares how rough early seasons in road trains, mining, and family court shaped his resilience and personal responsibility. He explains why most buyers get the order wrong by looking at houses before understanding their strategy, their financial position, and their long-term goal.

This conversation covers emotional buying, bad advice from people who have never built wealth, the fear many younger buyers feel about being priced out, renting vs buying with a plan, and why your first home should not automatically become your first rental.

For The ThriveWell Journey audience, this is more than a real estate conversation. It is a conversation about ownership, self-leadership, patience, direction, and building a life where wealth supports time, freedom, and purpose.

Key Topics

Hadley's early years in mining and their impact on resilience

The importance of ownership and responsibility in life and investing

Strategic property investment and market timing

Overcoming fears and emotional biases in real estate

The role of systems and sequencing in successful investing

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

01:00 Resilience and Personal Growth

05:40 The Shift to Real Estate Investment

09:35 Advice for Aspiring Investors

13:21 Identifying Market Gaps

16:40 The Need for Buyer Advocacy

22:00 Strategic Decision-Making in Property Investment

24:05 Balancing Emotion and Logic in Home Buying

27:52 Understanding Market Dynamics and Property Pricing

30:49 Navigating the Current Economic Landscape

33:59 The Challenges Faced by Gen Z Home Buyers

39:46 Corporate Influence in the Housing Market

44:57 Navigating Market Opportunities

46:42 The Airbnb Investment Landscape

48:26 The Importance of Strategic Sequencing

51:41 Adapting Strategies Through Life Stages

54:03 Understanding Property Investment Dynamics

59:17 Redefining Richness and Life Priorities

01:02:12 Strategic Planning for Property Investment

01:04:10 Key Takeaways and Closing Thoughts

Connect with Hadley on Instagram: @hadleynightingale. Message 'checklist' for his property buying guides.

Connect w/ L. Michael & TTJ

You did not lose your way. You got trapped inside a story about what happened. This free reset helps you separate the event from the meaning so you can move again. - https://bit.ly/YouDidNotLoseYourWay

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