The ThriveWell Journey | Entrepreneurship, Leadership & Life After Disruption

The ThriveWell Journey | Entrepreneurship, Leadership & Life After Disruption

by L. Michael Burt | ThriveWell Journey - Entrepreneurial Leadership & Life After Disruption
Season 2
How to Build Real Resilience Under Pressure | Russell Harvey
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
Follow-Up Systems for Real Estate Business Growth | Adam Olsen
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: How to Avoid Bad Capital and Build Smarter | Cole Reifler
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 http://ushaman.com/elixir - Get 10% off: USE CODE: THRIVEWELL 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: Real Estate Strategy, First Homes, and Wealth Building | Hadley Nightingale
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 http://ushaman.com/elixir - Get 10% off: USE CODE: THRIVEWELL Be a guest on The Thrivewell Journey Podcast? Send L. Michael Burt a message on #PodMatch, https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/thethrivewelljourney
How to Stay Calm Under Pressure, Stop Reacting, and Build Resilience | Michael Ostrolenk
How do you build resilience under pressure without pretending stress is not real? Michael Ostrolenk joins L. Michael Burt for a practical and deeply grounded conversation on self-awareness, emotional regulation, discipline, internal governance, and what it means to train yourself for real life. Michael brings experience as a marriage and family therapist, master coach, resilience architect, martial arts practitioner, and human performance specialist. This discussion moves beyond generic stress management. It explores how pressure shows up in the body, why distraction becomes a way to escape discomfort, how to notice your state before you react, and why discipline helps you become more capable when life gets difficult. You will hear about the four pillars of holistic resilience, Fudoshin and the immovable mind, training for relationships, sovereignty, belief systems, kindness, love, and the practice of becoming a person who can respond instead of react. KEY TOPICS Holistic resilience pillars: physiological, psychological, spiritual, relational The importance of internal governance and authenticity Practical strategies for stress and pressure management The role of discipline, hard work, and challenging oneself Martial arts principles applied to personal growth and relationships Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Resilience and Personal Growth 03:07 The Four Pillars of Resilience 05:53 Understanding Distraction and Emotional Awareness 08:51 The Importance of Sitting with Discomfort 11:54 Cultural Noise and Self-Reflection 14:49 The Role of Martial Arts in Personal Development 18:01 Training for Relationships: The Relationship Dojo 28:10 Martial Arts as a Metaphor for Life 29:49 Fudishin: The Immovable Mind 32:32 Discipline and Spirituality in Personal Growth 36:34 The Importance of Hard Challenges 41:46 Sovereignty and Authenticity in Manhood 52:35 Understanding Personal Beliefs and Sovereignty 53:02 The Code of Conduct for Gentlemen 54:31 The Importance of Ethical Behavior 56:12 Revitalizing the Concept of a Gentleman 58:32 Managing Aggression and Self-Protection 01:00:11 Building Capacity Through Challenges 01:02:05 Recognizing and Managing Triggers 01:08:00 The Power of Kindness and Love Guest links: Substack: https://michaelostrolenk.substack.com/ Twitter / X: https://twitter.com/michaelostrolenk Instagram: https://instagram.com/michaelostrolenk LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/michaelostrolenk 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 http://ushaman.com/elixir - Get 10% off: USE CODE: THRIVEWELL Be a guest on The Thrivewell Journey Podcast? Send L. Michael Burt a message on #PodMatch, https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/thethrivewelljourney
Mental Resilience Under Pressure: How to Win Today | Joshua Lifrak
Mental resilience is not about pretending pressure is not there. It is about learning to respond rather than react when life, leadership, business, or personal disruption puts you under stress. Joshua Lifrak joins The ThriveWell Journey to share mental performance lessons from his work with elite athletes, high-performing teams, and the Chicago Cubs during their historic rise from last place to World Series champions. L. Michael Burt and Joshua explore how to define your story, stay present under pressure, build stronger relationships, stop the storm of negative thinking, and reset your mindset through Joshua’s Mile Zero framework. This conversation connects sports psychology, leadership, mindfulness, and practical transformation for anyone rebuilding their life, identity, or direction after disruption. Listeners will walk away with a simple but powerful reminder: a winning streak starts with one win, and that win can begin with the next choice you make today. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Joshua Lifrak and His Journey 04:27 Transforming the Chicago Cubs: A Mental Skills Perspective 09:36 The Power of Team Culture and Accountability 10:03 Defining What It Means to Be a Cub 12:59 Defining Your Story: Intentions and Mindset 19:08 Building Strong Relationships for Growth 19:38 The Power of Teamwork 22:02 The Purpose of Connection 24:35 Defining Your Story 26:46 Staying Present Amidst Pressure 30:17 Finding Bliss in the Now 35:18 Stopping the Storm of Negative Thoughts 42:21 The Power of Noticing and Awareness 45:11 Choosing Growth and Learning from Failure 45:42 Mile Zero: Resetting Your Mindset 56:17 Navigating Disruption and Transformation 01:02:29 The Choice to Transform Today Connect w/ Joshua Lifrak - Resources Joshua Lifrak's Book - https://joshualiffrak.com Limitless Minds Podcast - https://limitlessminds.com/podcast Amishi Jha's Mindfulness Training - https://miami.edu Chicago Cubs Official Site - https://www.mlb.com/cubs IMG Academy - https://www.imgacademy.com Guest link: https://joshualifrak.com 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 http://ushaman.com/elixir - Get 10% off: USE CODE: THRIVEWELL Be a guest on The Thrivewell Journey Podcast? Send L. Michael Burt a message on #PodMatch, https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/thethrivewelljourney #LMichaelBurt #TheThriveWellJourneyPodcast #podmatch
How to Pivot in Life After Change and Find Purpose Again | Jeff Seckendorf
How do you know when it is time to pivot in life instead of staying committed to something that no longer fits? Jeff Seckendorf joins The ThriveWell Journey for a powerful conversation about pivoting, purpose, aging, reinvention, fun, accountability, and living fully after change. From film and scuba to coaching, endurance cycling, and world-record athletic achievement, Jeff shares what it looks like to keep creating new chapters instead of shrinking into old ones. This episode speaks to anyone rebuilding life after disruption, questioning what comes next, or learning how to tell the difference between quitting and choosing a new direction. Jeff’s story brings a grounded reminder: if something is no longer working, you do not have to stay there. You can pivot, get help, walk your talk, and create a life that still has purpose. Chapters 00:00 Embracing Change: The Power of Pivoting 06:14 Life's Pivots: From Film to Fitness 11:41 Finding Purpose: Helping Others 19:09 The Role of Motivation in Performance 29:36 Getting Unstuck: The Importance of Support 35:31 Navigating Internal States and Fun 39:31 Coaching Across Generations 43:32 The Importance of Accountability 46:04 Aging: Perspectives and Experiences 54:28 Living Life Fully and Pivoting Connect w/ Jeff Seckendorf Guest Links Website - https://coachmestrong.com Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/athletes-over-70/id1541234567 Resources Annie Duke's Book 'Quit' - https://www.amazon.com/Quit-psychology-when-know-when/dp/0062855744 Jeff Seckendorf's Podcast 'Athletes Over 70' - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/athletes-over-70/id1541234567 CoachMeStrong.com - https://coachmestrong.com 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 http://ushaman.com/elixir - Get 10% off: USE CODE: THRIVEWELL Be a guest on The Thrivewell Journey Podcast? Send L. Michael Burt a message on #PodMatch, https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/thethrivewelljourney
Is Your Money Losing Power? Bitcoin, Inflation, and the Future of Wealth | Eric Runge
Most people are asking whether Bitcoin is risky. But the better question is this: do we understand the money we already trust every single day? On this episode of The ThriveWell Journey Podcast, L. Michael Burt sits down with Eric Runge, founder of Veritas Bitcoin Strategies, to talk about Bitcoin, inflation, fiat currency, the U.S. dollar, financial trust, and what people need to understand before making decisions with money. This episode is not built on hype, panic, or quick financial promises. It is a grounded conversation about what happens when the cost of living rises, the dollar loses purchasing power, and more people ask whether Bitcoin belongs in long-term wealth. Eric breaks down fiat currency versus sound money, why the dollar is no longer backed by gold, why Bitcoin is often called digital gold, and why studying money matters before making investment decisions. Michael asks the questions many people have but may not know how to ask: What is Bitcoin? Why does it have value? How is it different from other cryptocurrencies? Should regular people pay attention? How do families, entrepreneurs, and investors prepare for a financial world changing faster than they realize? Money is not just numbers on a screen. It affects stress, family, retirement, business, opportunity, and how people plan their future. If you are trying to understand inflation, Bitcoin, the future of the dollar, or wealth in uncertain times, this episode will give you better questions and a stronger foundation. This episode is for educational purposes only and is not financial advice. Speak with a qualified financial professional before investing. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Austrian Economics and Monetary Theory 02:55 The Importance of Understanding the Dollar and National Debt 06:00 The Shift from Gold Standard to Fiat Currency 09:04 The Current State of the Dollar and Global Currency Dynamics 11:46 The Future of the Dollar and Potential Decline 14:58 Navigating Finances in a Fiat System 18:01 The Role of Bitcoin in the Financial Landscape 20:56 Understanding Bitcoin: Its Origins and Significance 23:46 Preparing for Financial Changes and the Role of Bitcoin 32:21 Understanding Scarcity and Value in Bitcoin 34:31 The Unique Characteristics of Bitcoin 36:51 Bitcoin vs. Other Cryptocurrencies 42:34 Advice for New Bitcoin Investors 46:04 The Mindset of Bitcoin Maximalists 56:28 The Importance of Financial Education Connect w/ Eric Runge LinkedIn Family Office Bitcoin Book - Bitcoin & The Family Office: An Intelligent Introduction for the Ultra Affluent 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 http://ushaman.com/elixir - Get 10% off: USE CODE: THRIVEWELL Be a guest on The Thrivewell Journey Podcast? Send L. Michael Burt a message on #PodMatch, https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/thethrivewelljourney
Stop Leaking Energy - Human Design, Burnout, and Business Alignment | Stefanie Carlstedt
What if your business does not feel hard because you are doing too little, but because you are building in a way that does not fit who you are? In this episode of The ThriveWell Journey Podcast, L. Michael Burt sits down with Stefanie Carlstedt for a powerful conversation about human design for entrepreneurs, business alignment, burnout, and the invisible ways people leak energy by building from other people’s shoulds. This conversation goes deeper than tactics. Stefanie breaks down why so many entrepreneurs feel frustration, resentment, and burnout even when they are doing everything they were told should work. She explains how human design can help people understand how they are meant to lead, market, create offers, make decisions, and build a business that actually reflects who they are. Michael also brings his own real-time reflection into the episode, talking through what it means to return to what makes you feel alive, reconnect with creativity, and stop forcing business models that do not resonate. Together, this conversation explores the difference between performance and alignment, between grinding and building from truth, and between losing yourself slowly and coming back home to yourself. In this episode, we talk about: Human design for entrepreneurs, why your business feels harder than it should, leaking energy in business and life, burnout and misalignment, building from other people’s shoulds, Authentic marketing and aligned offers, How to reconnect with who you really are, Why burnout is not always about doing too much If you have been feeling frustrated, exhausted, all over the place, or like your business no longer fits who you are, this conversation will meet you right where you are. Connect with Stefanie Carlstedt through the links in the show notes and grab her Human Design Business Starter Kit. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Human Design 06:32 The Journey of Self-Discovery 12:39 Aligning Business with Human Design 18:14 Understanding Energy Types in Human Design 24:52 The Importance of Authenticity 30:29 Bridging Old and New Business Models 36:17 The Role of Human Design in Business Success 42:43 Overcoming Misalignment and Burnout 48:22 The Future of Entrepreneurship 56:48 Final Thoughts and Call to Action Connect w/ Stefanie: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/stephaniecarlstedt/ http://stefcarlstedt.com/hdreport 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 http://ushaman.com/elixir - Get 10% off: USE CODE: THRIVEWELL Be a guest on The Thrivewell Journey Podcast? Send L. Michael Burt a message on #PodMatch, https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/thethrivewelljourney
Why So Many High Performers Are Exhausted Beneath the Success | Dr. Jacqueline Campbell
A lot of people have mastered the art of looking fine while carrying far more than anyone can see. Dr. Jacqueline Campbell sits down with L. Michael Burt to unpack burnout, trauma, emotional accountability, and the nervous system patterns that keep high performers achieving while still feeling depleted underneath it all. This is not a surface-level talk about stress. It gets into what happens when old pain, constant pressure, and survival mode start shaping how you work, lead, and live. For the person who has been producing, pushing, and showing up while peace still feels out of reach, this episode will land. Action Items Practice daily self-awareness and mindfulness exercises Identify and work through feeder memories using visualization and journaling Implement a consistent water, sleep, and exercise routine to optimize nervous system health Use frequency music to elevate emotional states Take radical responsibility for your actions and mindset Chapters 00:00 Understanding the Nervous System and High Performance 02:25 The Importance of Self-Awareness 04:54 Identifying Red Flags in Life 08:18 Personal Stories of Transformation 12:08 The Role of Emotional Intelligence 20:03 Harnessing the Power of the Nervous System 22:47 Practical Steps to Regulate Your Nervous System 31:13 Empathy and Self-Compassion 32:10 Radical Responsibility and Accountability 34:23 Vibrational Alignment and Love 36:35 Cognitive Processing and High Performance 40:58 Healing Through Discomfort 44:43 Taking Accountability in Everyday Life 47:31 The Importance of Self-Care 51:51 Vision Expansio and Emotional Intelligence 54:44 Resilient Minds Podcast and Conscious Living Connect w/ Dr. Jacqueline Website - https://drjacquelinecampbell.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/visionexpansio/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/visionexpansio/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-jacqueline-campbell-nd-lpcs/ 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 http://ushaman.com/elixir - Get 10% off: USE CODE: THRIVEWELL Be a guest on The Thrivewell Journey Podcast? Send L. Michael Burt a message on #PodMatch, https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/thethrivewelljourney
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