TOUGH TALKS: Conversations on Mental Toughness

My guest today is Dr. Troy Melendez. Troy and I went to graduate school together and he is easily one of the most intelligent and fascinating people I have ever known. Wizardly intelligent. He is a therapist who helps folks with addiction recovery. Troy, himself, was addicted to painkillers and that addiction escalated to a very serious and long opioid addiction. Troy had a remarkable experience with DMT (a hallucinogenic drug also known as “the Spirit Molecule”) before he got clean. It altered his life and he shares that riveting story with us (I was legitimately in rapture as he told that story). And, we dive deeper into the possibilities that certain psychedelic drugs possess for helping people heal from trauma, depression and addiction. More about Troy: Facebook: www.facebook.com/troy.melendez.3 LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/troy-melendez-ph-d-0a2b2b14 Link to the episode: https://christopherdorris.com/tough-talks-psychedelic-healing-with-troy-melendez-ph-d/ --- If you enjoyed this content and you are not getting notifications of new posts, then I invite you to sign up to my list. Please also share this with the people in your world that would also dig this post and benefit from it. --- https://christopherdorris.com/lists

The Greatest Athlete in the World! That's the title our guest earned himself when he won the Olympic Gold Medal for the Decathlon in Atlanta in 1996. We have Dan O'Brien in the Tough Talks studio today and we get to pick the brain of one of history's greatest athletes on things like mental preparation and how to convert "failure" (epic failure) into, well, literally, gold. Go search YouTube for Dan and Dave 1992 and you can watch the hilarious Reebok commercials they made to hype up the battle that was to be had in Barcelona between America's top two decathletes. It didn't unfold the way anyone expected. Or wanted. More about Dan: Website: https://www.danobrien.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/#!/DanOBrienUSA LinkedIn Company Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/legacy-sports-usa/ LinkedIn Personal Page: http://www.linkedin.com/in/danobrien10 Link to the full episode: https://christopherdorris.com/tough-talks-the-worlds-greatest-athlete-with-dan-obrien/ --- If you enjoyed this content and you are not getting notifications of new posts, then I invite you to sign up to my list. Please also share this with the people in your world that would also dig this post and benefit from it. --- https://christopherdorris.com/lists

Our very first ever Tough Talks Podcast guest is back for a cameo! But this time he’s different. He’s had quite the transformation in the last 5 years since that first ever episode. Now he’s “Half Monk, Half Assassin.” Before I think he was a bit more of the assassin.   His name is Jon Hunter and he has lived his entire professional career in the world of Enterprise Software Sales and Sales Leadership. He’s a CRO and an advisor. He’s a husband, father, brother, leader, coach, sports enthusiast, movie buff, martial artist, writer and podcaster. And he has spent his entire life committed to his own development, growth, excellence and impact.   Our discussion today is primarily directed and dedicated to the CRO’s and Sales Leaders of the world. We discuss the unique pains that come with those roles and Jon’s insights on how to not just survive the loneliness of it, but how to THRIVE amidst that chaos!   More about Jon:   Website: www.hunterxlife.com  LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jhunter1   Link to the episode: https://christopherdorris.com/tough-talks-hey-cros-you-dont-have-to-be-alone-with-jon-hunter/ ---  If you enjoyed this content and you are not getting notifications of new posts, then I invite you to sign up to my list.   Please also share this with the people in your world that would also dig this post and benefit from it.   ---  https://christopherdorris.com/lists

What a blessing it is to have this Angel of a woman as a dear friend and colleague and guest on the Tough Talks Podcast! Her name is Mary Bea Porter-King. Google her if you haven’t heard her name before. She is a true hero – really. That’s not even close to a euphemism. Mary Bea lettered in 4 sports at Arizona State University. Yeah, you read that right. Then she played on the LPGA Tour for 25 years. Then she co-founded the Hawaii State Junior Golf Association where she continues to preside as President. She’s the first ever pro golfer to serve on the Executive Board of The USGA. She’s also currently on the Board of The PGA of America where she runs the Youth player Development Committee. All she does is serve. JUST WAIT until you hear THE story of her "worst shot" that has resulted in profoundly affecting tens of thousands of lives – maybe more! And DEFINITELY stay for the end. I'm pretty sure we were able to touch Mary Bea's soul with a surprise gift. It was moving to say the least. Link to the episode: https://christopherdorris.com/tough-talks-creating-a-safe-place-to-play-with-mary-bea-porter-king/ --- If you enjoyed this content and you are not getting notifications of new posts, then I invite you to sign up to my list. Please also share this with the people in your world that would also dig this post and benefit from it. --- https://christopherdorris.com/lists

According to this guy, Startup Entrepreneurs are CRAZY! In a remarkably impressive way. In this episode of Tough Talks we get to explore the inner workings of the minds of such entrepreneurs and specifically this particular one, Greg Head.   Greg is the Founder of Gregslist.com, a curated up-to-date list of local software companies that is used by thousands of founders, tech execs, investors, job seekers, and community leaders each month which is now available for tech communities in Phoenix, Salt Lake City, Dallas, Austin, Boston, Atlanta, Chicago, and Toronto.   He is also the founder of PracticalFounders.com, where he helps crazy software entrepreneurs to change the world – and do it THEIR WAY (ie, without huge VC funding)!   This is super cool because I coach SOOO many entrepreneurs in the tech industry but I’ve never interviewed someone like Greg who exists solely in that world on the mindset of attempting to create big things that, as he says, “usually don’t work!”   More about Greg:   Website: https://practicalfounder.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregheadaz/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/greghead Greg’s List: https://gregslist.com/  The Book: The Hard Thing About Hard Things by Ben Horowitz   The Book: Lost and Founder by Rand Fishkin   Link to the episode: https://christopherdorris.com/tough-talks-startup-entrepreneurs-are-crazy-with-greg-head/  ---  If you enjoyed this content and you are not getting notifications of new posts, then I invite you to sign up to my list.  Please also share this with the people in your world that would also dig this post and benefit from it.  ---  https://christopherdorris.com/lists

Explore the profound concept of mental toughness and the significance of mantras in personal growth. Discover how overcoming past conditioning can lead to a more joyful life. Learn about the importance of acceptance and gratitude in transforming your mindset. Delve into the subjective nature of perception through relatable analogies, showcasing how different viewpoints shape our experiences. Finally, uncover the power of visualization and empowering questions to unleash your inner greatness and achieve mental clarity.

On December 2, 2006, after being in an 8 day medically induced coma, he woke up to discover he'd lost two comrades and both of his legs in an IED explosion serving in Iraq.   Here's his response upon this discovery:  "None of this matters. I'm alive. And I'm thankful for that. There's one path - and that's forward."   His name is Retired Staff Sergeant John Kriesel, and let's talk about creating excellence from tragedy!   He is a Purple Heart recipient, a best-selling author, an international Keynote Speaker, and one funny Mo Fo! (He attributes much of his ability to respond so masterfully to his tragedy to the power of humor).   And wait 'til you see what happens about 60% of the way through the interview!!! It's never happened before in any of my Tough Talks episodes. EPIC!!!   More about John:   Website: https://www.johnmkriesel.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnkriesel/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnkriesel/  Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/johnkriesel  ---   Link to the episode: https://christopherdorris.com/tough-talks-adversity-is-guaranteed-attitude-is-a-choice-with-john-kriesel/ ---   If you enjoyed this content and you are not getting notifications of new posts, then I invite you to sign up to my list.  Please also share this with the people in your world that would also dig this post and benefit from it.   ---  https://christopherdorris.com/lists

Inherent within your passions are the mechanics for stratospheric success.   Sam Calagione, founder and brewer at Dogfish Head Brewery, is proof of that. Sam trusted his passion for crafting what he refers to as “off-centered” beers and 26 years later he has literally created a food and beverage (and lodging) dynasty! And he’s having a boatload of fun doing it.  He is meticulous about a lot of things. The level of creativity he puts into his creations is astounding. He travels the planet to meet people and discover ingredients that have never before been used or combined, to create some of the most unusual brews in history.   He uses that same level of meticulousness in creating his remarkable culture. I’ve experienced it firsthand. It’s epic. The quality of customer service is remarkable. The lightness of being is intoxicating – even before your first sip!   I define success as having your life on your terms. We have a lot to learn from Sam about this!     More about Sam:   Website: https://www.dogfish.com  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dogfishheadbeer/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dogfish-head-craft-brewery/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dogfishhead/  Twitter: https://twitter.com/dogfishbeer  Link to the episode: https://christopherdorris.com/tough-talks-beer-boarding-in-the-scrapple-belt-with-dogfish-head-sam-calagione/  ---   If you enjoyed this content and you are not getting notifications of new posts, then I invite you to sign up to my list.   Please also share this with the people in your world that would also dig this post and benefit from it.   ---  https://christopherdorris.com/lists

This week we have put together another highlight reel from 8 more of our amazing guests who blessed us with their presence and amazingness on the show.  Have a look/listen, and take some tools or tips or reminders away from it that can help you continue to strengthen your mind and build more Mental Toughness.   Guests in this Highlight Reel:   Steve Sims Iyanla Vanzant Sal Ponzio Devon Bandison Dr. Amy B Killen Bob Burg Ryan Lange Theresa Campbell   --- Link to the episode: https://christopherdorris.com/best-of-tough-talks-6/ --- If you enjoyed this content and you are not getting notifications of new posts, then I invite you to sign up to my list.   Please also share this with the people in your world that would also dig this post and benefit from it. --- https://christopherdorris.com/lists

“Nobody is watching and nobody cares.”   Do you feel inspired?   Wait until our guest today explains that. You’ll feel inspired then.   David Richman was an overweight, chain-smoking, homeless kid at the age of 18. He got a job at a Vegas fast food joint, worked 3 jobs at a time to work his way up the ladder, never went to college, wanted to start his own company, met with a room full of Angel Investors to try to get seed money for it, was immediately asked, “Where’d you get your MBA?” Wait till you hear his damn response!!!   He went on to run a $120M/yr revenue company and is now an award-winning author (he facilitates writing workshops, btw), speaker, and Endurance Athlete. And he’s a remarkably generous philanthropist.   And a killer storyteller! And does he have stories!!!      More about David:   Website: www.cycleoflives.org  Personal FB: david.richman.94  Business FB: cycleoflives  Instagram: davidrichman_cycleoflives   ---    If you enjoyed this content and you are not getting notifications of new posts, then I invite you to sign up to my list.   Please also share this with the people in your world that would also dig this post and benefit from it.  ---  https://christopherdorris.com/lists