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After facing the challenges of PTSD and transitioning to civilian life, Zachary found solace in the unexpected world of horsemanship. Imagine discovering a life-changing purpose after meeting a Vietnam veteran who trains Mustangs. This episode unravels Zachary's remarkable transformation from a military veteran to the founder of Ocean View Stables, highlighting how horses became his path to healing and purpose. We explore how he overcame obstacles, emphasizing the power of mentorship and how finding a passion can restore balance and presence in life.

Zachary's journey is a testament to the power of resourcefulness and strategic thinking. Hear how he worked for free to gain invaluable insights from a seasoned mentor and how he creatively used educational benefits and loans to kickstart his entrepreneurial dreams. This episode sheds light on the importance of learning from both victories and failures, and how leveraging opportunities like the GI Bill can open doors for veterans seeking a new beginning. The conversation focuses on the art of building success through innovation, from managing unused land to pioneering online booking systems in the horse industry.

Discover how Zachary's passion for horses evolved into a thriving business and a consulting career in ERP implementation. The episode highlights his journey of scaling operations and creating a unique guest ranch experience in San Francisco, showcasing the profound impact of finding one's true calling. Whether you're a veteran or an aspiring entrepreneur, Zachary’s story offers invaluable insights into the importance of embracing passion and purpose to forge a fulfilling future. Join us for an inspiring episode that challenges conventional paths and celebrates the unique opportunities available to those daring enough to pursue their dreams.

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Leslie Coffey, Vice President of Military Engagement at American Corporate Partners, reveals how mentorship transformed her career, leading to a staggering 67% pay increase. Discover the challenges she faced as a military spouse, often putting her dreams on hold due to relocations and deployments, and how personalized mentorship empowered her to reclaim her professional goals. Leslie shares invaluable tips for veterans and their families to accelerate their transition to civilian life, underscoring the critical need for support systems that understand the unique hurdles military families face.

Our discussion highlights the extraordinary impact of ACP's mentorship program, which pairs veterans and military spouses with committed mentors for a year-long journey. With over 5,000 active mentorship pairs, this initiative breaks down the geographical barriers that often lead to underemployment and stagnant careers. Learn how companies can harness the overlooked potential of military spouses and veterans by offering remote work opportunities, promoting career continuity, and tapping into a rich talent pool. Mentors and mentees alike reap profound benefits, fostering professional growth and gaining insights from each other's experiences. Join us to uncover the transformative power of personalized mentorship in elevating veteran employment.

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Unlocking the secrets of personal growth and healing, energy healer and transformational coach Carolyn Ozuna joins us to share her wisdom on turning pain into purpose, especially for veterans facing the holiday blues. Carolyn's insights on shifting limiting beliefs and emotional blocks offer a fresh perspective on overcoming life's challenges. Together, we explore the power of not taking personal energy triggers too seriously and how understanding this can lead to a miraculous transformation in your life's journey.

Carolyn and I also uncover the delicate dance between action and rest in the pursuit of personal development. We highlight the natural ebb and flow of emotions, recognizing that sometimes you might feel worse before you feel better. As we discuss strategies like positive affirmations and visualizing your future self, we emphasize the importance of emotional intelligence—how to process your feelings without being overwhelmed. By questioning our thoughts and beliefs, we can better understand how they shape our interactions and the reality we manifest.

As the episode unfolds, we tackle the often-dreaded holiday season, transforming negative thoughts into opportunities for empathy and connection. Carolyn provides practical advice for fostering healthier interactions by not taking others’ behavior personally and understanding their perspectives. We delve into the transformative power of viewing all actions as expressions of or calls for love, nurturing love and understanding in every interaction. Carolyn leaves us with the hope that each listener can experience a miracle in their journey, finding peace even in the most challenging times.

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Discover what it truly means to put "service before self" with our special guest, Tina Parker, a retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel and expert in transformational leadership. She joins us to share her insights on balancing self-sacrifice with personal well-being, especially crucial for military veterans transitioning to post-deployment life. Tina's wealth of experience in high-pressure leadership roles offers a fresh perspective on understanding one's own needs before committing to serve others. Together, we explore the risks of neglecting personal well-being, such as burnout and the loss of creativity, and emphasize the importance of authenticity in making meaningful contributions to society.

Reclaim your best self by learning how to navigate overwhelm with intentional actions and mindset shifts. We dive into practical strategies to counteract feelings of inadequacy, focusing on self-awareness and the power of vulnerability to foster genuine human connections. With stories of breaking free from limiting beliefs, we highlight how embracing your true nature can lead to extraordinary opportunities and connections, both personally and professionally. Join us as we celebrate achievements, like reaching international audiences, and explore upcoming opportunities for visionary women to connect and grow through virtual happy hours and mastermind dinners.

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What if you could harness the power of your mind to overcome anxiety, depression, and stress without relying heavily on medication? Join me as I sit down with Dominika Staniewicz, aka Coach D, a dual elite certified Neuroencoding specialist and acclaimed author. Together, we uncover how Neuroencoding science is transforming the mental health landscape for veterans and others facing these challenges. Dominika shares her expertise on how proactive brain rewiring techniques can unlock peak performance and empower individuals to navigate life's obstacles with resilience and confidence.

Explore the intricacies of brain health with us, focusing on the profound impact of injuries and chemical imbalances. Drawing insights from renowned experts like Dr. Daniel Amen, we illuminate the path to mental well-being through non-invasive techniques such as EMDR, biofeedback, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. These therapies offer a promising alternative to medication, particularly for veterans grappling with PTSD. While emphasizing the importance of professional guidance in managing medication, we delve into the remarkable potential of personalized treatment plans to enhance overall brain function and quality of life.

In a world where brain health is often overlooked, we underscore its importance, akin to caring for our heart or lungs. Join our discussion on the power of nutrition, exercise, and lifestyle choices in fostering brain regeneration and self-regulation. By sharing personal stories and experiences, we advocate for informed decisions that promote a balanced approach to mental health, cautioning against the pitfalls of excessive medication reliance. Discover how empowering your reality through shared knowledge can lead to meaningful transformation in your life and those around you.

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Danny O'Neel, an Army veteran and chairman of Warfighter Overwatch, shares a profoundly moving story about his transition from military service to entrepreneurship. After losing nine brothers in combat, Danny battled mental health challenges that many veterans face, but found resilience and purpose in entrepreneurship. His journey underscores the importance of community support and the need for society to stand by those who have served. Together with Danny, we explore how veterans can reignite their lives post-deployment with the strength of their support systems.

Transforming a tattoo shop from a simple leisure activity into a beacon of community, Danny's leadership and insights highlight how military experience can shape successful business ventures. Emphasizing inclusivity, the shop offers a welcoming environment, especially for veterans and first responders, and becomes a space where personal stories are shared through tattoos. As we discuss overcoming fears of rejection and success, listeners will gain valuable insights into the initial steps of turning a vision into reality and fostering community connections.

Finally, we confront the often-overlooked struggles veterans face, turning them into opportunities for growth and empowerment. Danny's story of moving from trauma to triumph serves as a beacon of hope, emphasizing the power of perseverance and self-belief. We stress the importance of betting on oneself and the strength found in community support, reminding listeners of the old African proverb: "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together." Tune in as we encourage embracing values that resonate deeply and becoming a "hope dealer" for those in need.

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What if the secret to empowering leadership lies in balancing authority with compassion? Leadership coach Linda Zelnik joins us on "Your Thoughts, Your Reality with Michael Cole" to unravel this very question. Linda shares her unique journey from the bustling world of cross-cultural marketing to guiding high-achieving leaders and veterans toward more effective leadership. Through her insights, we learn how understanding and leveraging team strengths not only earns respect but also fosters a thriving environment where authority and empathy coexist to drive successful outcomes.

We dive into the art of finding purpose and tackling burnout, challenging the conventional boundaries of personal and professional fulfillment. Linda and I discuss how asking the right questions can ignite passion and reveal one's true desires, paving the way for a more intentional life. You'll hear strategies for breaking down ambitious goals into attainable steps and the often-overlooked practice of celebrating small victories. Embracing growth beyond comfort zones, we underscore the transformative power of every success and lesson learned on the journey to personal fulfillment.

As we explore the challenges of burnout, Linda offers practical tools to harness gratitude and mindset for a positive outlook. We discuss the impact of shifting our language from "have to" to "get to," and how this simple change can elevate energy levels and reshape realities. By focusing on goal-setting and problem-solving language, we empower veterans and their families to navigate leadership with renewed vigor. This episode is a treasure trove of insights, inviting you to visit empowerperformancestrategies.com for additional resources to continue your journey of personal growth and transformation.

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Ever wondered how fear can be transformed from a paralyzing force into a powerful motivator? Join us as we uncover this transformative journey with Marcus Weiss, a dual elite certified neuroencoding specialist, actor, director, and educator. Marcus opens up about his own battles with depression and perfectionism, and how theater became a safe haven for him amidst these challenges. His story is a heartfelt tribute to veterans and their families, as we recognize the courage and resilience they embody every day.

In our enlightening conversation, we peel back the layers of fear, an emotion that Marcus believes often stems from past experiences and unfounded anticipation of negative outcomes. He shares insights on how many of these feared scenarios rarely materialize and offers strategies to confront the discomfort that fear brings. Through neuroencoding, Marcus shows us how to channel fear into positive action, turning an emotion that usually holds us back into an opportunity for growth.

Throughout the episode, Marcus shares practical techniques that anyone, especially veterans and their families, can use to build self-confidence and overcome fear. From self-affirmation practices to breaking negative thought patterns, these tools are designed to foster a fearless mindset. By the end of our discussion, you'll be equipped with the knowledge to replace fear with excited anticipation, using simple yet effective techniques like deep breathing and intentional smiling to ignite positive change in your life. Join us as we explore the potential that lies in each of us to transform fear into a journey toward fulfillment and resilience.