146: Why Slowing Down Holds the Key to True Gratitude in 2026

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"Gratitude is not something of the mind, it's more something of the body," says Mike Salemi, host of The King Within, as he unpacks why so many men struggle to genuinely feel gratitude—even when they know they "should."

In this intimate solo episode, Mike Salemi shares how performative gratitude lists and affirmations left him feeling hollow, and reveals the real barriers men face: unconscious negative self-talk, shallow breath, and a relentless pace that keeps us from being present. Drawing from his own life as a father and partner, Mike Salemi guides listeners through practical steps to shift out of the head and into the body, inviting us to experience gratitude as a living state—one rooted in presence, breath, and intention, not obligation.

Tune in to The King Within to discover Mike Salemi’s personal, evidence-based path to embodying gratitude and reclaiming connection, calm, and meaning at home.

5 Key Takeaways

1. Shift your inner language—catch negative self-talk and reframe your words to work for you, not against you.
2. Drop out of your head and into your body—slow your breath, lengthen your exhales, and anchor in the present moment.
3. Break the habit of rushing—create intentional pauses to be present and notice what’s already within reach.
4. Practice gratitude that you actually feel—let go of performative lists and focus on what honestly lands in your heart.
5. Build sacred space for connection—set aside undistracted time with those you love or for your own reflection, and let gratitude naturally rise.

Memorable Quotes

"It's less about the holidays themselves and more about what it represents to us. We all have history. We all have associations of the past that we bring into our experience of the present day."

"Gratitude is not something of the mind, it's more something of the body. Your mind might tell you, 'I'm grateful for this,' but you don't really feel it."

"The pace that you've been operating, if you're having difficulty connecting with this superpower of being truly grateful—not the idea of it, not the performance of it, but really being deeply grateful in your body and in your heart—then look at the pace that you're operating at, and if you do want to feel more gratitude, create some intention around it."

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