MINDSET ZONE

”Live your legacy while you're building it.” -Lady Jen Du Plessis In this episode, we engage in a thought-provoking conversation with our esteemed guest, Lady Jen Du Plessis. Also known as the Scaling Architect, she shares her insights on how high-achieving businesses, leaders, and entrepreneurs can hyper-scale their revenue, build effective teams, improve leadership skills, and manage to balance it all with a fulfilling personal life. A critically acclaimed author and powerful speaker, Lady Jen describes the power of the mindset shift of “Letting Go, So You Can Grow” and explains her unique LEAP program, which stands for:• Leadership skills,• Expanding your team,• Amplifying your influence, and• Profits. From the insightful tips on hiring effective team members to learning the crucial leadership skills, the conversation engages the listener with a wide array of growth-oriented concepts. Whether you are an entrepreneur, business leader, or someone just dipping their toes in the corporate world, this episode is a treasure trove of insightful advice and practical wisdom. Let's dive in! This week on The Mindset Zone: [00:00] Introduction and Host's Mission [01:12] Guest Introduction: Lady Jen Du Plessis [02:01] Living Your Legacy While Building It [03:08] Work on Purpose, Play with Passion [04:32] Moving from Working in Your Business to Living Above and Beyond [05:25] The Importance of Building a Team [06:18] The Leap of Faith: From Working to Visionary [07:42] The Mindset Shift: From Me to We [08:27] Letting Go to Grow: The Importance of Delegation [11:09] The Challenges of Leadership and Management [15:32] The Importance of Expanding Your Team [20:32] Amplifying Your Influence [24:32] Increasing Profits and Understanding Your Numbers [27:54] Conclusion and Contact Information Meet the Guest: Lady Jen Du Plessis – The Scaling Architect – is the leading expert in building world-class teams. She works with high-achieving corporations, leaders, and entrepreneurs stuck at 6-figures and wanting to reach 7-figures and beyond. Through her masterminds and private mentorship, she helps people hyper-scale their revenue and improve leadership skills to build powerful teams that enable multiplied results in record time, all while designing a balanced and exciting personal life.  She has been in the financial services industry for four (4) decades, was listed in the Top 200 mortgage originators, and funded over $1 Billion in mortgage loans. Jen is the author of numerous Amazon #1 best-selling books, the host of two top-ranking podcasts, and the Producer and Host of her TV Show – Tell Me I Can’t – reaching over 350 million homes monthly in over 185 via streaming media networks.  Her most recent book of the same name is a fictional depiction of Jen’s journey to finding her true self-worth. She also has numerous Amazon #1 best-selling books and is the host of two (2) top-ranking podcasts. As a Leadership Advisor and Mentor, she is relied on by top brands and companies to assist with her proprietary techniques to create powerful teams, Align Priorities and Time Management, Accelerate Business Relationships, Rapidly Scale-up systems, Increase Sales, Systematize Leadership and Management, all while helping leaders create a life of Luxury. She is an award-winning and charismatic international speaker - having shared stages with such icons as Tony Robbins, Les Brown, Darren Hardy, Jeff Hoffman, Sharon Lechter, and many more, as well as being featured in numerous articles and covers of nationally recognized magazines including LA Weekly and SUCCESS Profiles Magazine. Jen has been a member of the Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce since 2011. As a member, she mentored students from 6th-12th grade in the Young Entrepreneur Association program for four years; she has been active in her church as an Extraordinary Minister for nearly 20 years, is the founder of Fur Baby Food Bank and CARS (Christian Automotive Relief Services). She has availed herself to sit on numerous boards and comities and has volunteered hundreds of hours to local, national, and international charities and foundations. Jen believes that entrepreneurs can “Live their Legacy while Building it,” and it’s time to break free from the daily grind with strong leadership skills and powerful teams. Jen believes it’s time to move from working IN and ON your business to living ABOVE and BEYOND your business. In her spare time, Jen can be found on her 21-acre farmette in Northern Virginia, outside of Washington D.C. She and her husband, Brian, of 40 years, enjoy visiting the local wineries, boating on their cabin cruiser, and visiting their four grandchildren. She is an expert markswoman and has been a ballroom, Latin, and swing dancer for over 15 years. She is a regular contributor and volunteer at Boulder Crest Retreat, a retreat Center for veterans with internal and external wounds, LAWS (Loudon Abused Women’s Shelter), and Catholic Charities. Connect with: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenduplessis/ Resources: Lady Jen Dy Plessis’ LEAP Program jend.academy PODCAST: Success to Significance by Jen Du Plessis Related episodes: Preventing Burnout and Embracing Wellness: Jen Du Plessis interviews Ana Melikian, Ph.D. Expand What’s Possible

”This third dimension that corresponds to the mountains and the valleys, this is really what I argue is pulling the strings of our happiness.” -Ryan A. Bush In this episode, Ryan A. Bush, a thinker, designer, and founder of Designing the Mind, discusses his approach to expanding human potential. He explains how our understanding of happiness needs to be redefined, seeing it not just as pleasure and pain but also through the dimensions of loss/gain and core personal strengths. He introduces the concepts from his latest book 'Become Who You Are,' explaining that our deepest form of happiness is tied to virtue and living out our personal signature strengths. Ryan provides practical insights into discovering and using these strengths as a roadmap for well-being and happiness. Ryan also shares his own experiences with depression, emphasizing the importance of monitoring mental states, seeking help when needed, and continuing to nurture personal strengths. Let's dive in! This week on The Mindset Zone: [00:00] Introduction [00:47] Meet the Host: Ana Melikian [01:30] Introducing Special Guest: Ryan A. Bush [02:30] Discussing the Concept of Happiness [03:00] Exploring the Dimensions of Happiness [05:00] The Third Dimension of Happiness [06:30] The Role of Virtue in Happiness [06:44] Unpacking the Concept of Happiness [18:59] Strategies for Discovering Personal Strengths and Virtues [22:06] Ryan's Personal Journey with Depression [23:40] Understanding the Continuum of Depression to Well-being [32:47] Closing Remarks and Contact Information Meet the Guest: Ryan A Bush is a designer and thinker focused on building better systems, better people, and a better future. As founder of Designing the Mind, Ryan's central purpose is to provide wisdom education and expand human potential beyond the norm. This journey has led him to write multiple bestselling books like Designing the Mind: The Principles of Psychitecture, build life-changing programs like The Anxiety Algorithm, and launch Mindform, the world’s first psychitecture collective and training platform. Through his books, programs, and community, he works to integrate the insights of ancient and modern thinkers to form a new vision for psychological growth and self-mastery. Ryan's background is in the design of systems—he has worked with tech startups to design and develop everything from patented physical products, to software, to buildings, to business models. But his most relevant credential is a lifelong appetite for introspective investigation, ravenous reading, and obsessive self-optimization.For many years, Ryan has studied the insights of ancient teachers, practical philosophers, and cognitive scientists. His ideas have been featured on major platforms like Lifehack and Modern Stoicism, and he has been a guest on podcasts with topics ranging from emotions to philosophy to motivation. He lives in a small mountain town where he splits his time between creating, reflecting, and adventuring with his partner and their corgi, who is on track to be an honors student this year. Connect with: Website LinkedIn Resources: Book - Become Who You Are: A New Theory of Self-Esteem, Human Greatness, and the Opposite of Depression by Ryan A Bush VIA Character Strengths Survey: https://am.pro.viasurvey.org/ Call 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (in the US by https://988lifeline.org/) Gestalt Psychology Rubin's Vase or the figure-ground vase https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rubin_vase Related episodes: Mindset Limitations: Pursuing Happiness The Happiness Pie Expand What’s Possible

“You need to be smart about where you're putting your energy.” - Jennifer J. Fondrevay In this episode, host Ana Melikian interviews Jennifer J. Fondrevay, the founder of Day1 Ready™ and a C-Suite survivor of three multi-billion dollar acquisitions. Jennifer outlines her framework, the 'TEA' approach (Talent, Effort, Attitude), to embrace uncertainty in business and life. They discuss the importance of drawing upon unique talents, directing effort wisely, and adopting an appropriate attitude. Ana emphasizes the need for mental fitness, and Jennifer reinforces how crucial it is to identify what one can control in uncertain environments. Jennifer also touches on her book and her popular TEDx talk. Let's dive in! This week on The Mindset Zone: [00:00] Introduction and Personal Struggles with Burnout [00:42] Meet the Host: Ana Melikian [01:24] Introducing Special Guest: Jennifer Fondrevay [02:53] Jennifer's Expertise: Embracing Uncertainty [03:18] Jennifer's Journey: From Certainty to Uncertainty [05:02] The Role of Control in Embracing Uncertainty [05:57] Jennifer's TEA Framework: Talent, Effort, Attitude [06:54] The Importance of Data and Information [08:02] The Human Factor in Business Transformation [09:05] The Power of Choosing Our Response [09:51] Learning from Mistakes: Jennifer's Personal Experience [11:48] The TEA Framework in Detail: Talent [16:48] The TEA Framework in Detail: Effort [25:03] The TEA Framework in Detail: Attitude [31:40] Conclusion and Contact Information Meet the Guest: Jennifer J Fondrevay is the Founder of Day1 Ready™, a consultancy that advises forward-thinking business leaders, owners, and C-Suite executives on how to prepare for the human capital challenges of M&A. As a Fortune 500 C-Suite “survivor” of three multi-billion-dollar acquisitions, Jennifer has been on all sides of the deal equation. She saw countless growth strategies fail due to a workforce that couldn’t pivot and adapt as quickly as leadership anticipated. When her Harvard Business Review (HBR) article, “After a Merger, Don’t Let “Us vs. Them” Thinking Ruin the Company” went viral, Jennifer recognized the power and interest in a human-centric approach to business transformation, where employees are at the heart of the change. She shares her expertise as a contributor to: Forbes, Harvard Business Review, Thrive Global, American Marketing Association, Middle Market Growth; and as a frequent podcast guest and keynote speaker for HR conferences, associations, and Fortune 500 companies. Connect with: WEBSITE: https://jenniferjfondrevay.com/ LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-fondrevay/ Resources: Book: NOW WHAT?: A Survivor's Guide for Thriving Through Mergers & Acquisitions by Jennifer J. Fondrevay  Related episodes: Between stimulus and response, there is this space. Essentialism by Greg McKeown Expand What’s Possible

“We have to develop that capacity of pressing the pause button.” - Ana Melikian In this episode*, the amazing Jen Du Plessis interviews me about my journey, from overcoming dyslexia to how I leveraged my passion for psychology to help individuals unlock their true potential. We delve deep into the topic of burnout and discuss practical strategies to combat it. I recount my personal experience with burnout and my realization that it was time for change. Don't miss the insightful conversations on the triggers of burnout, the significance of recovery, and the transformative power of slowing down and gaining perspective. Discover how I transitioned from burnout to empowerment and how you can do the same. Let's dive in! This week on The Mindset Zone: Why Ana started studying psychology Ana’s focus on wellness and helping others reach their human potential Focusing on mindset and what can be controlled Ana's personal experience with burnout and her wakeup call Strategies to prevent burnout Working smart, prioritizing, and strategizing The importance of being prepared for when things don't go well Reconnecting with purpose The role of emotional intelligence in mindset work Responding instead of reacting The role of emotional intelligence in mindset work Gaining perspective and taking breaks to recover and find a grounded place Working smart instead of working hard Pressing the pause button and regaining control of our mental state Introduction to the PIE method: Pause, Increase self-awareness, and Embrace an Experimentation mindset Practical tips for preventing burnout Scheduling pauses and prioritizing mental well-being Ana's weekend routine and engaging in energizing activities The importance of recovery and the beauty of nature The interviewer: Jen is referred to as the leading expert in creating world-class teams. She works with high-achieving leaders and entrepreneurs who are stuck at 6-figures and want to reach 7-figures per year. Through her masterminds and private mentorship, she dramatically improves leadership skills to build powerful teams that enable multiplied results in record time while designing a balanced and exciting personal life. She has been in the financial services industry for four decades and, during her 35-year career, was listed in the Top 200 mortgage originators nationally and funded over $1 Billion in mortgage loans. Jen is the author of numerous Amazon #1 best-selling books, the host of two (2) top-ranking podcasts, and the Producer and Host of her own TV Show – Tell Me I Can’t – reaching over 350 million homes monthly. *This episode is rebroadcast here at the MINDSET ZONE® with explicit consent from Lady Jen Du Plessis, the host of the "Success to Significance" podcast. Check the original episode here. Related episodes: Listen to The P.I.E. Method Expand What’s Possible

"90 plus percent of the women leaving are not leaving for the family reasons; they are being pushed out of the workforce.” - D. Sangeeta In this episode, Sangeeta shared her journey and the innovative approach she has taken to empower women in STEM fields. With her extensive experience and expertise, she has founded Gotara, a platform that addresses the gender gap and provides career advice, business acumen, and leadership skills to women in technical fields. Gotara's unique approach of combining a safe space for open dialogue, AI-enabled resources, and personalized coaching has proven to be a game-changer for both individuals and organizations. We believe in the power of fostering diversity and empowering women in STEM fields, and Gotara is making a significant impact in this space. We hope you find inspiration in Sangeeta's story and the work she is doing to close the gender gap and support women's career growth. Let's dive in! This week on The Mindset Zone: Sangeeta's reflection on obtaining patents and her realization of the key factors contributing to her success. Key factors for innovation: (1) Working backwards from customer needs; (2) Diversity of thought; (3) Inclusive and collaborative environment; (4) Discipline and experimentation. Gotara and its mission to close the gender gap in STEM fields. Key challenges in STEM fields: (1) Gender gap; (2) Manager upskilling. Gutara's approach to addressing these challenges with an AI-enabled platform. Providing business acumen and leadership skills with a focus on ROI. Serving as a safe space for women to address sensitive issues. Retention and career acceleration achievements. The significance of having a safe space for open discussions Differences between discussing sensitive issues internally and with a third-party platform like Gotara. Work sustainability and avoiding burnout. The benefits of work-life balance and productivity. Company culture and promoting work-life balance. Meet the Guest: Sangeeta launched her tech startup, “Gotara,” to provide career advice to women in STEM, drawing on her extensive experience in industries like Aviation, Energy, and Tech. At Gotara, she leads innovative nano-learning programs to help close the gender gap in STEM fields. Previously, she was the Vice President of Connections at Amazon, overseeing various aspects of Research, Technology, Product, and Business Deployment. Her career also includes significant roles at Nielsen and GE, spanning diverse areas such as Data Science, Marketing, Diversity, and Quality. Her academic background includes a Ph.D. in Materials Chemistry from the University of Illinois and an M.S. in Chemistry from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur. Sangeeta is an author of two books, holds 26 patents, and has received several prestigious awards, including the Nielsen CEO award and the National Women of Color Technology Award. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling and playing golf with her family, including her husband, the CEO of Gensuite, and her daughter who works in New York City. Connect with: WEBSITE: Gotara.com LINKEDIN Related episodes: Expand What’s Possible

Brian Johnson, founder and CEO of Heroic, discusses the importance of unlocking human potential, recognizing human potential and cultural change, overcoming despair, and tips for unlocking your potential. He shares personal experiences and introduces the Heroic app as a tool for personal development.

"If you are already searching for burnout solutions, the chances that you need prevention techniques are minimal. You likely need recovery techniques.” - Cait Donovan In this episode, we dive deep into the topic of burnout recovery with our guest, Cait Donovan. Cait is a burnout expert who emphasizes the importance of recovery methods for individuals already experiencing burnout. She advocates for a holistic approach to healing and restoring optimal functioning while providing valuable insights and tips for effective burnout recovery. Listen in as we explore the nuances between stress and burnout, the spectrum of burnout experiences, and the essential elements for recovery. We hope you find this episode enlightening, and as always, we would love to hear your thoughts on burnout prevention and recovery. How do you see these concepts relevant to your own life and work? Share your insights with us. Your voice matters! To live a more fulfilling life, it is crucial to practice self-care and explore self-growth. Surrounding ourselves with the right community can make all the difference. Let's dive in! This week on The Mindset Zone: Differentiation between burnout prevention and recovery. When we are burned out, our brain works differently Definition of burnout by the World Health Organization, WHO. The canary in the coal mine as a metaphor for burnout. Stress and burnout are not synonymous. Listening to the body's signals and practicing self-care. Self-care, boundaries, and community. Passion and purpose are not enough to prevent burnout. Burnout in healthcare and essential workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Meet the Guest: Cait Donovan is an International Keynote Speaker, host of “Fried – The Burnout Podcast,” author of the book "The Bouncebackability Factor", and has a master’s degree in Chinese medicine. Her creative burnout recovery solutions have been featured on podcasts and online magazines such as “Forbes”, “NPR,” and “The New York Post” and in companies such as The New York Public Library and PepsiCo. Connect with: Website: caitdonovan.com Facebook Group: FRIED. The Burnout Podcast Discussion Group LinkedIn: Cait Donovan Resources: Podcast: FRIED. The Burnout Podcast #straightfromcait: Bad Advice for Burnout (and what to do instead) #straightfromcait: Burnout Risk Factors - A Holistic View Related episodes: Expand What’s Possible

" The micro-actions are the smallest possible actions that you will actually take. If you are feeling frozen, then your micro-action is not small enough.” -Bevin Farrand In this episode, we had the pleasure of hosting Bevin Farrand, a remarkable speaker, coach, and author of the book "Your Damn Manifesto: Discover the Keys to Personal Transformation and Bring Your Biggest Dreams to Life." Bevin is on a mission to support others in bringing their big, bold, and crazy dreams to life, even after facing deeply challenging experiences. She shares her personal journey and provides valuable insights on transforming dreams into concrete actions. This episode reminds us that dreams without action can lead to frustration and unfulfillment. Bevin's practical approach and her willingness to dream big while also being pragmatic truly inspire us. If you're ready to transform your dreams into concrete actions, we highly recommend listening to this conversation. You'll gain valuable insights and practical strategies that can help you bring your biggest dreams to life. Embrace your power and take the DAMN chance to bring your dreams to life. Let's dive in! This week on The Mindset Zone: How Bevin started the Take the DAMN chance movement Her trip to France and how her husband passed away shortly after The Facebook post that started her movement The four parts of the DAMN framework  Importance of taking action Staying present in the moment and making strong decisions Not waiting for the perfect moment Deciding and declaring what you want to achieve Bevin's approach combines dreaming big with practical actions Taking micro-actions is crucial for fulfillment and success Meet the Guest: In 2019, after an unexpected loss just 5 days after she returned from a whirlwind trip to France with her husband, Bevin Farrand founded the Take the DAMN Chance movement and created the Do the DAMN Thing Method. Her DAMN framework has inspired thousands to connect with the people that they love, do the “crazy thing” that makes all the difference and, when given a choice, to take the damn chance. She is the author of Your DAMN Manifesto: Discover the Keys to Personal Transformation and Bringing Your Biggest Dreams to Life and a coach that supports women in achieving their goals, even after going through deeply challenging experiences. Connect with: EMAIL: bevinspeaks@gmail.com WEBSITE: https://www.bevinfarrand.com PODCAST: https://bevinfarrand.com/podcast FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/BevinFarrand FACEBOOK GROUP: https://www.facebook.com/groups/takethedamntrip LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bevinfarrand/ INSTAGRAM: @bevinfarrand https://www.instagram.com/bevinfarrand/ Resources: Book: https://bevinfarrand.com/your-damn-manifesto Related episodes: Between stimulus and response, there is this space. Expand What’s Possible

“Between stimulus and response, there is a space.In that space is our power to choose our response.In our response lies our growth and our freedom.” - Anonymous In this episode, I dive deeper into one of our favorite quotes: "Between stimulus and response, there is a space.In that space is our power to choose our response.And in our response lies our growth and our freedom." While trying to clarify the true source of this powerful quote, I delve into its meaning. I debunk previous attributions to Viktor Frankl and uncover the real popularizer, Stephen R Covey. (Please check the resource section for a fascinating article from quoteinvestigator.com if you want to dig deeper.)More importantly, I explore the transformational power of this quote and its significance for our personal development. I also speak about how it relates to my PIE method – Pause, Increase Self-Awareness, and Experimentation. Join me, and let’s embrace the power of choice and the conditions that need to be created to be able to exercise that power! Let's dive in! This week on The Mindset Zone: Initial attribution to Viktor Frankl Lack of concrete origin for the quote Reference to the quote investigator.com Stephen R Covey's various versions of the quote The transformational potential of the quote Exploration of the gap between stimulus and response Development of mental fitness muscles Introduction of the PIE method Emphasis on the importance of pressing the pause button The three types of pauses: macro, scheduled, and micro pauses Meet the Host: Ana Melikian, Ph.D., advises leaders on how to amplify impact while avoiding burnout. She is passionate about teaching others how to unlock their human potential using simple and powerful approaches such as her P.I.E. method. 𝐖𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐭? Set a time to speak with Ana HERE and learn about your (or your team's) burnout risk and how to enhance well-being, effectiveness, and teamwork! Connect with: Ana on LinkedIn Resources: Between Stimulus and Response There Is a Space. In That Space Is Our Power To Choose Our Response by the QuoteInvestigator.com Related episodes: Listen to The P.I.E. Method Expand What’s Possible

“We can achieve much more. We can contribute to society, make an impact, make a difference out there. If we are refreshed, re-energized. In our full power.” - Ana Melikian In this episode, I join Dr. Zippy to discuss how can we increase our impact while avoiding burnout. We dive deep into the world of human and personal development, growth, and self-care. We also speak about the frustration many individuals face when they feel they are not achieving the results they desire, despite their best efforts. I explain how we can use the simple yet powerful P.I.E. Method to unlock our potential for self-leadership. This episode is rebroadcast here at the Mindset Zone with explicit consent from Dr. Zippy from an interview she originally recorded for The Breaking Glass Ceiling Summit. Join me and let’s explore alternative approaches to optimize our productivity without overwhelm or burning out. Let's dive in! This week on The Mindset Zone: Definitions of burnout The P.I.E. Method Key Elements for Personal Growth Pressing pause and increasing self-awareness Three dimensions of self-awareness Appreciating the analogy of a pencil Frustration of not seeing results Signs and red flags of burnout Avoiding burnout and maintaining engagement Need for structural changes in society and workplace culture The Interviewer: Dr. Zippy Abla is a visionary leader with a deep-rooted passion for human development and growth. She is unwaveringly dedicated to instigating profound positive changes in both individuals and organizations. With a diverse range of expertise and experience under her belt, Dr. Zippy offers a transformative approach that consistently drives meaningful change. Holding an Ed. D. in Leadership, her commitment to education and transformation is evident. With a special knack for empowering women, she adeptly guides them through challenges related to confidence, relationships, careers, and overall well-being. She stands as a beacon of hope, leading by example and inspiring countless others to tap into their full potential. Dr. Zippy’s expertise spans crafting learning strategies to bolster leadership and talent management. With over 15 years of experience, she has significantly impacted diverse communities in Detroit through her innovative instructional design and curriculum development. As a thought leader, she integrates technology and innovation to create impactful learning experiences. Dr. Abla invites collaboration and can be reached at zippy@zippyconsultinggroup.com. Related episodes: Listen to The P.I.E. Method Expand What’s Possible