Alex: Hey everyone, welcome back to the show! Today we're tackling something we all grapple with: how do we ditch the self-doubt, reinvent ourselves, and start living a life that actually feels meaningful? Michelle: Exactly, Alex. It's that timeless question – how do you shift from feeling stuck to feeling like you're actually making progress towards something… great, whatever “great” even means to you? I'm guessing there's going to be some serious rethinking and soul-searching involved, right? Alex: You nailed it, Michelle. We're diving into The Greatness Mindset by Lewis Howes. It’s essentially a roadmap for dismantling those mental barriers holding us back and building a life based on intention and resilience. Michelle: Okay, so another self-help book. What makes this one stand out from the crowd? Alex: Well, Howes breaks it all down into really practical steps. This isn’t just empty motivation; it’s about confronting your fears of failure, shame, and judgment head-on. It's about consciously reshaping your identity and creating structures that support lasting growth. The tools are practical, the stories are real, and the whole approach is grounded in both aspiration and real action. Michelle: Hmm, intriguing… a little ambitious, maybe. So, what exactly are we unpacking today? Alex: Great question! We're breaking down this journey into three powerful steps. First, we’ll explore how to dismantle fear – think of it as releasing a tightly wound spring that's been holding you back. Second, we’ll dive into healing and reshaping your identity, like renovating the very foundation of your inner self. And finally, we’re looking at how building a system of accountability and meaningful challenges can help you reach new heights. Michelle: Fears, foundations, and… scaffolding? I like the imagery. Let's see if this “greatness mindset” can stand up to a little scrutiny.

Alex: Okay, Michelle, let’s dive into fear—the first stumbling block for so many of us. It often feels like this invisible wall preventing us from even daring to try for something great. And the interesting thing, as Lewis Howes points out, is that fear itself isn’t the enemy; it’s just…misunderstood. Michelle: Misunderstood? So, fear is like that well-meaning but clumsy friend who always says the wrong thing at the wrong time, but genuinely wants to help? Alex: <Laughs> That’s actually a pretty good analogy. At its core, fear is fundamentally about protection. It’s an evolutionary holdover—we avoided predators and other life-threatening dangers by experiencing fear. But these days, we're not usually dodging saber-toothed tigers, right? Instead, fear rears its head in situations that are more, shall we say, psychologically charged. Michelle: Right, so instead of lions and precarious cliffs, we’re looking at boardroom presentations and finally posting that first YouTube video. Alex: Exactly. And Lewis breaks down the most common fear culprits—failure, judgment, and even success. Let’s take the fear of failure, for example. It’s not that failing itself is going to be physically harmful, but it erodes our self-esteem. It ignites that internal monologue of "What if I'm simply not good enough?" Michelle: And judgment? Oh, that one hits hard. I mean, who actually enjoys feeling like their every move is under scrutiny? Alex: Oh, absolutely. The fear of judgment often paralyzes people, preventing them from taking risks because they're so worried about what others will think. But, and this is crucial, that fear often whispers more about our own insecurities than it does about the people we imagine are judging us. Michelle: Ah, the classic "we’re our own worst critics" trope. What about the fear of success, though? I mean, that seems counterintuitive, doesn’t it? Alex: It does on the surface, yeah, but think about it. Success can translate to heavier responsibilities, increased expectations, or even outgrowing the social circles you’ve always been a part of. That can feel isolating or even overwhelming, so some people subconsciously sabotage their own potential, even when they're totally capable of achieving great things. Michelle: So, what you're saying is, fear is… sneaky. It’s not standing at the door yelling "STOP!" It's more like gently whispering, "Maybe just… stay here where it's safe and familiar. You're comfortable here..." Alex: Precisely. And that’s where the real work begins—recalibrating your relationship with fear, so that instead of being paralyzed by it, it becomes a signal for growth. Michelle: Alright, lay the Lewis-approved tactics on me. What are we supposed to do when fear crashes the party uninvited? Alex: Okay, two key strategies: visualization and alter egos. Let's start with visualization. Michelle: Let me guess, this is the standard "close your eyes and picture the life you want" kind of thing? Alex: Sort of, but with a lot more detail. Lewis emphasizes vividly picturing yourself succeeding in the very situations that send shivers down your spine. Let's say public speaking terrifies you. Instead of dwelling on what could go wrong, you meticulously visualize yourself delivering a flawless speech—calm, confident, captivating the audience. Michelle: So, you’re essentially tricking your brain into thinking you’ve already nailed it, which in theory should dial down the anxiety? Alex: Exactly! Visualization conditions your mind to associate those situations with positive outcomes. It's like providing your brain with a well-rehearsed playbook to follow when the actual moment arrives. Michelle: Hmm, I can actually see that working. It’s kind of like mental rehearsal before the big performance. What about these alter egos, though? Are we talking Clark Kent morphing into Superman here? Alex: In some ways, yes. The fundamental idea is to craft a persona that embodies the qualities you want to cultivate—courage, confidence, resilience, and then "step into" that character when fear rears its ugly head. A compelling example from the book is James Lawrence, better known as the Iron Cowboy. Michelle: Ah, the dude who completed 100 Ironmans in 100 days, right? That's… superhuman. Alex: Exactly what everyone thought, but James created this alter ego—the Iron Cowboy—who wasn’t burdened by self-doubt or limitations. He basically said, "This isn't James doing this, it's the Iron Cowboy." That mental shift allowed him to tap into reserves of strength and push past the fear and exhaustion. Michelle: So, by developing that alter ego, you’re granting yourself permission to operate outside the boundaries of your usual identity? Alex: That’s a brilliant way to put it. And it's important to remember that fear isn’t a signal to retreat, but an invitation to step into a stronger version of yourself. Lewis also highlights the importance of reframing failure as valuable feedback, rather than viewing it as a dead end. Michelle: Right, it’s like the toddler learning to walk analogy. Every fall isn’t a crushing defeat; it’s just… practice. Logically sound, but easier said than done when failure feels, well, devastating. Alex: True, but that’s where the mindset training comes in. The more you consistently view failure as an opportunity for growth, the less sting it carries. Speaking of resilience, Jason Redman's story perfectly exemplifies this point. Michelle: The Navy SEAL, right? I’ve heard snippets of his story; it's pretty intense. Alex: Extremely so. He was ambushed and severely wounded in Iraq, but he transformed what could have been a completely devastating experience into an opportunity for growth. He even put up a sign outside his hospital room that read, "This is a room of fun, optimism, and intense, rapid regrowth." Michelle: A literal declaration of mindset. I mean, how many people would have the clarity—or the sheer audacity—to label their recovery space like that? Alex: Exactly. He refused to allow fear or victimhood to define him, and in making that choice, he not only healed physically but inspired countless others. Fear was still present, but it didn’t dictate his narrative—it became the catalyst for a more impactful journey. Michelle: Alright, so fear isn’t going anywhere, but we’ve got a solid toolkit to confront it—visualization, alter egos, reframing failure, and examples like Redman demonstrating what’s possible. Noted.

Alex: Okay, so moving beyond just managing our fears, we really start digging into transforming our mindset and healing. This is where the serious work starts. It's about addressing those core wounds, discovering who we truly are, and then using practical steps to rebuild our sense of self. Think of it as, like, laying a new foundation before you build the house you've always dreamed of, right? Michelle: Right, so we're basically in the middle of a massive renovation project now. We're fixing all the cracks in the foundation before we start adding the fancy stuff, the new wing, or the infinity pool. So, what's first on the agenda? Are we tackling the trauma, or jumping straight into authenticity? Alex: Definitely! So, healing typically begins with addressing past traumas. Those unresolved events that, you know, subtly influence our behavior and how we see ourselves. Lewis shares this really touching story about an Uber driver whose life was really shaped by childhood abandonment. Her dad walked out when she was little, and for years, she just carried this huge weight of feeling rejected and unworthy. It wasn't until she decided to, like, actively change that story that things started to shift. Michelle: Okay, but how does someone even begin to rewrite something like that? I mean, childhood trauma doesn’t just disappear overnight because you decide you’re done with it, does it? Alex: You're totally right, it's a journey, not a quick fix. Her turning point was when she began to reframe those early experiences. And not by denying the pain, but by turning it into motivation and power. I was struck when she said, "It doesn’t hurt me anymore. I’ve learned how to heal it and turn the pain into wisdom." You know? That's the key here: reframing it. Michelle: So, “rewriting” makes sense as a concept, but it still feels kind of abstract. What actually helped her make that specific leap, from feeling victimized to feeling empowered? Alex: Well, one thing Lewis suggests is writing a letter to your younger self. That creates a connection between you now and the you that felt that pain. Picture this. You’re revisiting a moment where you felt incredibly rejected, or not good enough, and you’re writing something like: "Dear younger me, you were never the problem. The pain you're feeling isn’t your fault, and I’m here now to protect and support you.” Speaking to yourself with that much empathy can really start a really strong healing process. Michelle: So it’s like… giving yourself the comfort and safety you needed at that moment, but didn't get. I see how that could be helpful. But I can also imagine people might be resistant to revisiting their past, right? What if, instead of healing, they get stuck in the pain all over again? Alex: Right, and that’s where authenticity becomes so important, and being true to yourself is another key part of healing, because it's about aligning with who you actually are, and letting go of all the masks we wear to please other people. It's not denying the past, but, you know, bringing it all together, facing it, and using it to live more genuinely. Michelle: Okay, just playing devil's advocate for a second here, authenticity is a phrase that gets thrown around constantly. How do you know when you're truly being “authentic” and not just using another trendy self-help buzzword? Alex: That's a valid question. And that's where self-reflection comes in. Regularly asking yourself the difficult questions. "Am I making choices based on what others expect, or am I living in alignment with my truest values?" Authenticity isn’t about being perfect, it’s about feeling complete. Basically, only when you actually deal with your wounds can you really begin removing the masks. Michelle: Got it. So first, face the ghosts. Second: be brave enough to show up as your real self. Okay, but what about practical tools? Healing and being philosophically sound are great, but what does someone actually do? Alex: I'm so glad you asked! Lewis actually talks about several methods, and this one called “joy conditioning” is really interesting. It was developed by Dr. Wendy Suzuki, and it's all about rewiring your emotional reactions. The basic idea is to intentionally cultivate and train yourself to amplify positive emotions, like joy, confidence, or gratitude, instead of letting fear or anxiety take over. Michelle: Rewriting emotions, huh? Let me guess, this involves chanting affirmations in front of a mirror? Alex: <Laughs> Not exactly! It's more about focusing your energy differently. So, if you’re nervous about a big decision coming up, instead of dwelling on what could go wrong, you intentionally focus on a positive outcome, something that makes you excited or proud. That extra mental effort spent picturing the positive possibilities can shift how you approach other challenges. Michelle: So, like Pavlov's dog, but you’re training yourself to salivate at the thought of growth instead of danger. Interesting. Does the book give any good examples of this? Alex: Definitely! There's an amazing story about James Lawrence, the Iron Cowboy. He completed 100 consecutive Ironmans by combining visualization and an alter ego. He created this kind of superhero persona symbolized by the glasses. When he put those on, he wasn't James anymore. He was the Iron Cowboy, capable of pushing beyond his limits. Michelle: That’s pretty intense. A pair of glasses and an alter ego. It’s almost comic book-level stuff, but hey, if it works, right? It’s wild how small tools can have such a big psychological impact. So, throwing you a curveball here—what about the average person who isn’t training for 100 Ironmans? How can someone apply this in their daily life? Alex: Small changes can have a big impact! Think about practicing mindfulness. Even just pausing to acknowledge when a negative thought pops up. Lewis talks about how important it is to intentionally incorporate these habits into your everyday life. Like, creating a Meaningful Mission Manifesto. By understanding your "why" and making smaller decisions that align with it, you are reinforcing who you are. It's about consistency. Michelle: So, no Iron Cowboy outfits necessary, just intentional actions connected to a bigger goal. I see how that could build momentum over time. Alex: Exactly. These tools are the bridge between mindset changes and real-world actions, which is why authenticity and transformation can become habits, not just a one-time thing.

Alex: Okay Michelle, so we've talked about reframing fears and reshaping identity, right? Let’s switch gears now. It’s time to dive into actually putting plans into action. I mean, how do we systemize our goals, build in some accountability, and actually celebrate when we make progress so we stay on track? Michelle: Right, so we're going from thinking about doing things, to actually doing them. Good. Because just “transforming my identity” sounds like a lot of navel-gazing and not enough... well, doing. How does Lewis Howes actually break down this whole goal-setting process, anyway? Alex: He talks about something he calls the GPS system, which stands for Goals, Priorities, and Scheduling. It's a really methodical way to line up what we do every day with our bigger goals. It focuses on what he calls the “Three Players” in our lives: business, relationships, and wellness. Michelle: The sacred trinity, huh? Makes sense. But GPS? I’m guessing he's not talking about relying on Google Maps here. Alex: Not exactly, but the idea is similar, actually. Like a GPS helps you get where you want to go, this framework helps us break big goals down into smaller, more manageable steps. Lewis really emphasizes how important it is to be clear about what you want to achieve and to really think about the little things that will help you get there. Michelle: Alright, let’s unpack this GPS thing, then. Starting with goals – what does “defining goals” even mean? Because just saying, “I want to be healthier” doesn't really sound very GPS-like. Alex: You’re spot on. The trick is to be specific. So, instead of “I want to be healthier,” you'd say something like, “I'm going to walk 10,000 steps every day for the next three months.” The idea is to turn your intentions into what they call “SMART” goals: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Michelle: Right, because a wishy-washy goal is like saying, “I want to go somewhere” without knowing if that “somewhere” is Paris, Tokyo, or just down to the grocery store. Alex: Exactly! Then comes prioritization. Lewis challenges us to really focus on what he calls the “needle movers”—those things that have a big impact, even if they're not the most urgent. This is where you have to start thinking like you’re in a triage situation: figure out which tasks really move you towards your goals, and which ones you can automate, pass off to someone else, or just ditch altogether. Michelle: Okay, I get the needle-mover concept, but what about adaptive scheduling? Because, I don't know about you, but my perfectly planned day usually falls apart by 10 AM when life throws a wrench in the works. Alex: That’s where adaptive scheduling comes in! It’s all about building some wiggle room into your plans for those unexpected things that are bound to happen. For example, say a last-minute deadline messes up your workout time. Instead of just skipping it altogether, you move it to later that evening or the next day. Lewis calls it building in pivots—it’s being flexible to stay consistent over time. Michelle: So, adaptability beats perfectionism. And adding in automation and elimination… I’m guessing that’s about freeing up time for the things that “really” matter? Alex: Precisely! Automation makes the repetitive stuff easier. Think about automatically transferring money into a savings account to reach your financial goals, or setting up recurring reminders for daily habits like journaling or meditating. And then elimination is about “really” focusing—cutting out unnecessary social events or time-wasting activities that don't help you reach your goals. Michelle: So, we’re Marie Kondo-ing our lives, but for time and energy. Makes sense. But let's take a step back for a sec. If we've got this amazing system set up, what keeps people from just throwing in the towel halfway through? Alex: Accountability. And Lewis spends a good chunk of time talking about that. Tools are great, but having someone there to support and encourage you can make all the difference. He “really” stresses how important it is to find ways to be accountable, whether that's through apps, finding a partner, or joining a group. Michelle: Let me guess—this is where he starts talking about people posting sweaty gym selfies or making bets with their friends? Alex: Spot on! Let’s look at workout apps, for example. Lewis talks about an app that makes users record their workouts every day, a lot of times by posting photos. Showing how you’re progressing isn't just about numbers; it actually helps you commit and builds consistency. Michelle: Right, because once it’s out there, in black and white—or, I guess, pixels—it’s harder to just ignore what you’re doing. But what about accountability partners? What makes someone a good one? Alex: A good accountability partner is supportive, but they also don't let you slack off. He uses the example of Tony Jeffries, the boxer who trained Lewis. Their training sessions were brutal, but they enjoyed it because they were in it together, turning pain into progress. Compare that with the people who bring you down because they just mock your goals – they can derail your progress fast. Michelle: So, instead of training with someone who says you’ll never make it, you train with people who say, “Yes, you can do this, and I’m here to help you.” What about challenges, though? I think I remember him also using challenges as a fun way to push past what you're comfortable with? Alex: Absolutely. When you turn things into challenges, they feel less scary and a lot more fun. A great example is when Lewis decided to learn salsa dancing. He made a point of going to classes several times a week. By doing that, he made what was scary into something fun. Michelle: Salsa and gamification, huh? Didn’t see that one coming. And I assume those challenges also help with celebrating milestones along the way? Alex: Definitely. Celebrating progress is “really” important for keeping you motivated. For example, Lewis joined Toastmasters to get better at public speaking. Each time he got better—whether it was structuring a speech or getting over his nerves—he made sure to “really” take a moment to recognize that win, and that helped grow his confidence. Michelle: So, we’re coming back to something “really” simple but effective: keep moving forward, celebrate every little step, and you’ll end up achieving way more than you thought you could. Alex: Exactly. The GPS system, accountability, and celebrating those moments don’t just allow you to make progress—they help you keep it up. It’s all about making a roadmap for achieving something great, one small step at a time.

Alex: Okay, time to bring this home. Today we dove deep into three core principles from “The Greatness Mindset”: facing fear head-on, reshaping who we are through healing & Execute goals using structures like a GPS. Michelle: Right, so we re-framed fear as a misunderstood ally, not some monster under the bed. We also explored how healing from past wounds frees us to be our true selves. And we looked at how combining accountability, prioritization, and, a little bit of fun, can break down huge goals into doable steps. Alex: And the common theme here is pretty clear, isn’t it? Greatness isn't about being perfect or making one giant leap. It's about those small, deliberate actions that line up with a purpose that “really” matters to you. Michelle: And let’s keep in mind that greatness looks different for everyone. It’s not necessarily about finishing a hundred Ironmans. Maybe it's just pushing past your comfort zone a little bit tomorrow. Alex: Exactly! And maybe that’s the real takeaway for everyone listening: What’s one fear, one belief that’s holding you back, or one goal you can take a tiny step toward today? Start there. Because, like Lewis Howes says, greatness isn't just for a select few. It's there for anyone willing to do the work inside. Michelle: And on that note, let’s all just pause for a second. What could your "Iron Cowboy moment" be? Face it, one step at a time, with intention. Alex: I couldn’t agree more. Thanks for tuning in to Mindset Mavericks – catch you next time!