Optimism, tenacity, and the hunger to improve — the keys to leadership success.

In part 1, Mike Rogers shares candid insights on how a mindset of constant improvement and realistic optimism fuels his ability to lead effectively. Hear his thoughts on building a strong team culture where core values outweigh raw talent, why “liking the people you work with” is vital, and how coaching changed his approach to managing people.

Discover the story behind his rise from technician to business owner, the challenges of training employees only to risk losing them to competitors, and his philosophy on how leadership is really about knowing when to step back and let others succeed.

Check out part 2 to hear the rest of the conversation!

Website:

⁠http://www.superpumped.com⁠

Business launch readiness assessment:⁠

https://launchreadyassessment.scoreapp.com⁠

Book a complimentary 30-minute exploratory call:⁠

https://calendly.com/ben-superpumped/30min⁠

Socials and such:⁠

https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/superpumped/⁠

https://www.youtube.com/@superpumpedlife

⁠https://www.instagram.com/superpumped1⁠⁠

https://www.tiktok.com/@superpumped8

⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-walters-165168365/

⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/ben.walters.77770⁠

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction & Mike’s daily mindset for optimism and improvement
05:00 Why you have to like the people you work with — “no talented a-holes”
10:00 Tenacity and curiosity: How to solve problems without giving up
15:00 The challenge of training employees who may become competitors
20:00 The value of coaching and continuous leadership growth
25:00 Culture, core values, and why firing for fit is compassion
30:00 Reflections on humility and letting go of control

The Fall Grind Is Coming. Here's How to Stay Human

As we gear up for the post–Labor Day grind, Ben shares a personal and timely message about why it’s dangerously easy to let work overtake everything — and what you can do to shift back toward joy, meaning, and play.

From navigating cultural pressure to overwork, to rethinking the "grown-up mindset," this episode offers practical tools and deep insight on how to keep your fire lit without burning out.

It's your call to recalibrate before the fall sprint takes over.

Website:
http://www.superpumped.com

Business launch readiness assessment:
https://launchreadyassessment.scoreapp.com

Book a complimentary 30-minute exploratory call:
https://calendly.com/ben-superpumped/30min

Socials and such:
https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/superpumped/

https://www.instagram.com/superpumped1
https://www.tiktok.com/@superpumped8
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-walters-165168365/
https://www.facebook.com/ben.walters.77770

Chapters:

00:00 — All Work and No Play Makes…
01:00 — The Pre–Labor Day Reality
02:11 — Why the Fall Grind Wears Us Down
03:45 — Do You Believe Play Is for Kids?
06:03 — The Badge of Overwork
07:40 — When We Stop Dreaming, We Start Dying
09:00 — The Real Reason You’re Less Productive
10:36 — How to Build Fun into Your Schedule
13:15 — The Power of Scheduled Joy
15:00 — A Fall Rebalance Plan
17:42 — Your Invitation to Reignite Joy

What Teachers Wish Parents Knew About School

If you’ve ever wondered what really goes on behind the scenes at your child’s school, this episode pulls back the curtain.

Ben sits down with Kristen, a former educator turned parent support advocate, to talk about how schools function, how teachers think, and what most parents misunderstand. Together, they explore practical strategies for parents who want to better support their kids — and their schools — without overstepping or burning out.

Whether you're navigating IEPs, wondering how to talk to your child’s teacher, or simply trying to stay informed without micromanaging, this conversation is packed with clarity and compassion.

Website
http://www.superpumped.com

Business launch readiness assessment
https://launchreadyassessment.scoreapp.com

Book a complimentary 30-minute exploratory call
https://calendly.com/ben-superpumped/30min

Socials and such
https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/superpumped/

https://www.instagram.com/superpumped1
https://www.tiktok.com/@superpumped8
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-walters-165168365/
https://www.facebook.com/ben.walters.77770

Chapters
00:00 — What’s Really Happening in School
01:24 — Meet Kristen: Teacher, Coach, and Parent Ally
03:19 — Why Communication Breaks Down
04:52 — Helping Parents Ask the Right Questions
06:30 — The Role of Educators Today
08:12 — When to Step In… and When to Step Back
10:00 — IEPs, Advocacy, and What Teachers Really Think
12:46 — Classroom Challenges Parents Never See
15:18 — How to Build a Positive Relationship with a Teacher
17:10 — The Power of Consistency and Boundaries
18:57 — Resources and Tools for Parents Who Want to Do Better

For when you think you're doing everything right and you're still veering off course.

A personal journey — literally — kayaking off Cape Cod, where a perfect metaphor for business, life, and self-sabotage unfolds. Discover how tides, winds, and waves aren’t the only forces pulling you off track. Sometimes, it’s your own blind spots.

If you’re stuck in cycles of frustration, false assumptions, or unproductive hard work, this story-packed episode will give you a fresh perspective on how to plan, launch, and adjust course in your life and business.

Website:
http://www.superpumped.com

Business launch readiness assessment:
https://launchreadyassessment.scoreapp.com

Book a complimentary 30-minute exploratory call:
https://calendly.com/ben-superpumped/30min

Socials and such:
https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/superpumped/
https://www.youtube.com/@superpumpedlife
https://www.instagram.com/superpumped1
https://www.tiktok.com/@superpumped8
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-walters-165168365/
https://www.facebook.com/ben.walters.77770

Chapters:

00:00 — Are You Drifting Off Target?
01:00 — Why I Kayaked to Sandy Neck Beach
02:39 — Pre-Trip Checklist: Lessons from Preparation
04:11 — The Power of Launching — and Aiming Long
06:09 — Drifting Toward Open Ocean
07:00 — My Friend’s Golf Slice and Course Correction
08:46 — Facing the Deep Water Channel
10:08 — What I Got Right… and What I Missed
11:37 — The Shoulder That Sabotaged My Route
13:23 — When the Problem Was Me All Along
14:08 — The Real Work Begins Before You Launch
15:45 — You Can’t Always Go Straight at Your Goal
17:59 — Self-Sabotage, Blind Spots, and Internal Drift
19:12 — How This Shows Up in Dating, Business, and Careers
20:38 — Are You Sabotaging Yourself Without Knowing It?
21:36 — Book a Call to Get Unstuck

The flight plan every parent needs for stress-free travel

Have you ever tried flying with a baby, or a toddler, or three, or more? It can feel like a full-blown survival mission. But after hundreds of flights with young kids, Ben Walters shares the real strategies that saved his sanity and made family travel smoother, easier, and even enjoyable. From smart scheduling to airport hotel hacks, you’ll learn how to avoid the most common travel meltdowns and set your family up for success in the air and on the ground.

Website:
http://www.superpumped.com

Business launch readiness assessment:
https://launchreadyassessment.scoreapp.com

Book a complimentary 30-minute exploratory call:
https://calendly.com/ben-superpumped/30min

Socials and such:
https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/superpumped/
https://youtube.com/@superpumpedlife
https://www.instagram.com/superpumped1
https://www.tiktok.com/@superpumped8
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-walters-165168365/
https://www.facebook.com/ben.walters.77770

Chapters:

00:45 — Why Most Family Travel Goes Sideways
02:25 — 200+ Flights With Kids: What We Learned
04:10 — How to Schedule Flights Strategically
06:00 — The Airport Hotel Hack Every Parent Should Know
08:40 — Our Morning Flight Routine with Little Ones
10:30 — Why You Need a Packing Plan (and What to Pack)
13:20 — Yes, You Should Bring the Car Seat
15:10 — Managing Airport Logistics with Strollers, Bags, and Kids
18:00 — How to Make Flights Calmer for Everyone
20:10 — Final Thoughts for Traveling Parents

Do canceled flights keep throwing off your travel plans?

Battle-tested tips to help you stay calm, flexible, and maybe even come out ahead when your flight is delayed, overbooked, or rerouted. Learn how to score travel perks, adapt and adjust quickly, and use every tool in your toolkit. Whether you’re trying to make it home for your kid’s soccer game or get to a business meeting on time, these practical strategies will save you time, money, and stress.

Website: http://www.superpumped.com

Business launch readiness assessment: https://launchreadyassessment.scoreapp.com

Book a complimentary 30-minute exploratory call:https://calendly.com/ben-superpumped/30min

Socials and such:

https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/superpumped/

https://youtube.com/@superpumpedlife

https://www.instagram.com/superpumped1

https://www.tiktok.com/@superpumped8

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-walters-165168365/

https://www.facebook.com/ben.walters.77770

Do airports stress you out? Do delays, security lines, and chaos bring out the worst in you? Expert tips to help you go from dreading travel to actually enjoying it. Ben covers how to book smarter, pack lighter, navigate delays, and fly like a pro. Even on a budget.

Website:
https://podcast.superpumped.com/

http://www.superpumped.com

Business launch readiness assessment:
https://launchreadyassessment.scoreapp.com

Book a complimentary 30-minute exploratory call:
https://calendly.com/ben-superpumped/30min

Socials and such:
https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/superpumped/

https://www.youtube.com/@superpumpedlife/

https://www.instagram.com/superpumped1

https://www.tiktok.com/@superpumped8

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-walters-165168365/

https://www.facebook.com/ben.walters.77770

Chapters:

00:00 — Why Flying Feels So Stressful
02:00 — Flying for 40 Years: Lessons Learned
04:00 — Booking Smart and Staying Flexible
06:00 — Frequent Flyer Perks and Airline Apps
08:00 — Should You Get a Travel Credit Card?
09:00 — TSA PreCheck, Clear, and Global Entry
10:30 — The Airport Hotel Trick That Saves You Sleep
12:00 — Packing Tips (Including Donatable Clothes)
14:00 — Why You Should Dress Up to Fly
15:30 — Alternate Routing: Be Ready for Delays
17:00 — The Hotel Check-Out Trick
18:00 — Boarding, Overhead Bins, and Etiquette
20:00 — Snack Hacks and Staying Hydrated
21:00 — Be Kind in the Sky — It Comes Back to You

Do you keep thinking, “My team just isn’t working?” Ben challenges the myth that great managers constantly hire better people and offers a radically more effective mindset. If you’re in middle management, today’s strategy could change your entire approach to leadership.

Website:
http://www.superpumped.com

Business launch readiness assessment:
https://launchreadyassessment.scoreapp.com

Book a complimentary 30-minute exploratory call:
https://calendly.com/ben-superpumped/30min

Socials and such:

https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/superpumped/
https://www.instagram.com/superpumped1
https://www.tiktok.com/@superpumped8
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-walters-165168365/
https://www.facebook.com/ben.walters.77770

Chapters:

01:00 — Why middle managers are critical
03:00 — The chaos of overthinking leadership
04:00 — Your one job: People
06:00 — The middle manager mindset shift
09:00 — Managing like a coach
13:00 — A cleaning company case study
16:00 — Repositioning employees for success
18:00 — Spotting hidden strengths
21:00 — A hotel case study on customer insight
22:45 — The path to long-term leadership growth