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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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.

__________________________________

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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)

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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)

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🎧 Listen on all podcast platforms

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Unsettled with Neil Wattier | Episode 2: Tucker Trickey

Tucker Trickey is a current member of the USA Rugby National team and former Grand Canyon University rugby captain.

Tucker shares his journey through rugby: from leading at the college level to competing on the international stage, and the challenges and opportunities of helping establish USA Rugby as a force in the global game.

We talk about:

-Tucker’s path from GCU Rugby to representing the USA Eagles

-The mindset and resilience required to perform at the highest levels

-Lessons in leadership, transition, and growth on and off the pitch

-His vision for the future of rugby in the United States

Whether you’re an athlete, leader, or someone navigating your own journey of ambition and presence, Tucker’s story will inspire you to chase growth while staying grounded. __________________________________

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🎧 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)

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Unsettled with Neil Wattier Episode 1: Why Unsettled Exists

You did everything you were supposed to do. You worked hard, served, achieved, and on paper, you’ve “arrived.”

So why doesn’t it feel like enough?

Welcome to the very first episode of Unsettled with Neil Wattier.

This podcast is born from a simple but powerful realization: being “unsettled” doesn’t mean you’re broken. It doesn’t mean you’re unstable. It means you’re aware you want more, but not at the cost of your peace.

Neil shares the personal story behind the show, including his transition after 27 years in the Air Force and the ongoing tension between ambition and presence. Through this lens, he defines what it means to live in the middle, between the man you were and the man you’re still becoming. In this episode, you’ll discover:

• The origin of the Unsettled podcast and its purpose

• Why high performers often feel restless, even after success

• What it really means to be “unsettled” and why that’s not a bad thing

• Who this show is for: veterans, leaders, creators, and anyone quietly wrestling with identity, burnout, or purpose What to expect from the podcast going forward:

• Weekly guest interviews with people who’ve rebuilt, recalibrated, and redefined enough

• Short solo reflections on resilience, identity, presence, and grounded ambition

• Zero fluff. Zero hype. No alpha bullshit. Just honest, tactical reflection.

Challenge of the week: “What’s something you’ve been chasing that hasn’t actually given you peace?”

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

Stay grounded.

Stay unsettled.

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🎧 Listen on all podcast platforms →

- Feed (https://rss.com/podcasts/unsettled-with-neil-wattier

- Apple/Spotify link coming soon 📺 Subscribe for weekly episodes → (https://www.youtube.com/@life_of_neil?sub_confirmation=1)

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__________________________________

Thank you for listening to Unsettled with Neil Wattier. I have two tasks for you this week:

First, choose one action from today’s conversation to immediately implement in your life.

Second, share this podcast and community with someone who values their mental performance.

I appreciate your direct message feedback and would appreciate your online review of the podcast. Your honest rating and review will help me improve the show and help others find our community.

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