The Motivated Mind

Scott Lynch
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Sep 18, 2025 • 8min

You’ll Never “Figure It All Out”

Most of us live as if we just plan hard enough, we’ll finally “figure it all out.” The perfect calendar, the flawless morning routine, the 5-year plan, detailed down to what socks we’ll wear on Thursdays. But life doesn’t work that way. I learned this seven hours and forty minutes into the hardest Spartan race in the world, after thirty obstacles, thousands of feet of elevation, and more burpees than any human should endure. In this episode, I share why certainty is an illusion, how over-planning becomes procrastination, and why clarity doesn’t come from thinking.For more go to: www.scottmlynch.comLevel up your life by joining my Patreon where you’ll get exclusive content every week and more badass offerings (rips t-shirt in half, Hulk Hogan style, and runs around the room). And/or…Unlock practical and tactical insights on how to master your mindset and optimize your happiness directly to your inbox.If you’re a glutton for punishment and want more swift kicks in the mind follow me on social:InstagramYouTubeLeave a review and tell me how I suck so I can stop doing that or you can also tell me about things you like. I’d be okay with that, too.Produced by ya boi.Past guests on The Motivated Mind include Chris Voss, Captain Sandy, Dr. Chris Palmer, Joey Thurman, Jason Harris, Koshin Paley Ellison, Rudy Mawer, Molly Fletcher, Kristen Butler, Hasard Lee, Natasha Graziano, ⁠David Hauser⁠, Cheryl Hunter, Michael Brandt, Heather Moyse, Tim Shriver, and Alan Stein, Jr. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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Sep 18, 2025 • 1min

Introducing the Jordan Harbinger Show

If you like learning from really smart and interesting people, check out the Jordan Harbinger Show. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
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Sep 15, 2025 • 9min

How I Prepared For The Hardest Spartan 21K

Most people ease into challenges. A 5K. Maybe a 10K. I skipped all that and went straight for the hardest Spartan race in the world: 21K, thirty obstacles, seven thousand feet of elevation, and a whole lot of burpees if I failed. In this episode, I break down six months of training, the gear I tested, and what this race taught me about discipline, minimalism, and saying “yes” before fear talks you out of it.For more go to: www.scottmlynch.comLevel up your life by joining my Patreon where you’ll get exclusive content every week and more badass offerings (rips t-shirt in half, Hulk Hogan style, and runs around the room). And/or…Unlock practical and tactical insights on how to master your mindset and optimize your happiness directly to your inbox.If you’re a glutton for punishment and want more swift kicks in the mind follow me on social:InstagramYouTubeLeave a review and tell me how I suck so I can stop doing that or you can also tell me about things you like. I’d be okay with that, too.Produced by ya boi.Past guests on The Motivated Mind include Chris Voss, Captain Sandy, Dr. Chris Palmer, Joey Thurman, Jason Harris, Koshin Paley Ellison, Rudy Mawer, Molly Fletcher, Kristen Butler, Hasard Lee, Natasha Graziano, ⁠David Hauser⁠, Cheryl Hunter, Michael Brandt, Heather Moyse, Tim Shriver, and Alan Stein, Jr. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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Sep 11, 2025 • 9min

Stop Setting Goals (Do This Instead)

We’ve all been told to set big goals. Run a marathon. Write a book. Launch a YouTube channel by June (still waiting on that one). The idea is simple: dream big, chase it, and life will magically fall into place. But here’s the problem: goals often do the exact opposite. They pile on guilt, create impossible deadlines, and leave you wondering if your treadmill is just a $1,200 clothing rack. In this episode, I break down why goals might be holding you back and what actually works better.For more go to: www.scottmlynch.comLevel up your life by joining my Patreon where you’ll get exclusive content every week and more badass offerings (rips t-shirt in half, Hulk Hogan style, and runs around the room). And/or…Unlock practical and tactical insights on how to master your mindset and optimize your happiness directly to your inbox.If you’re a glutton for punishment and want more swift kicks in the mind follow me on social:InstagramYouTubeLeave a review and tell me how I suck so I can stop doing that or you can also tell me about things you like. I’d be okay with that, too.Produced by ya boi.Past guests on The Motivated Mind include Chris Voss, Captain Sandy, Dr. Chris Palmer, Joey Thurman, Jason Harris, Koshin Paley Ellison, Rudy Mawer, Molly Fletcher, Kristen Butler, Hasard Lee, Natasha Graziano, ⁠David Hauser⁠, Cheryl Hunter, Michael Brandt, Heather Moyse, Tim Shriver, and Alan Stein, Jr. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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Sep 8, 2025 • 7min

Why I Stopped Trying to Be Happy All the Time

For years, I thought the goal in life was to be happy. All the time. If I wasn’t smiling, laughing, or journaling about gratitude while sipping my $7 oat latte, something was broken. So I stacked every hack I could find: affirmations, meditation, cold showers. Once, I even did them all before 9 am, like I was auditioning for a self-help infomercial. And guess what? I felt worse. In this episode, I break down why chasing happiness 24/7 is the fastest way to feel miserable, why “good vibes only” culture backfires, and what it really means to live a good life.For more go to: www.scottmlynch.comLevel up your life by joining my Patreon where you’ll get exclusive content every week and more badass offerings (rips t-shirt in half, Hulk Hogan style, and runs around the room). And/or…Unlock practical and tactical insights on how to master your mindset and optimize your happiness directly to your inbox.If you’re a glutton for punishment and want more swift kicks in the mind follow me on social:InstagramYouTubeLeave a review and tell me how I suck so I can stop doing that or you can also tell me about things you like. I’d be okay with that, too.Produced by ya boi.Past guests on The Motivated Mind include Chris Voss, Captain Sandy, Dr. Chris Palmer, Joey Thurman, Jason Harris, Koshin Paley Ellison, Rudy Mawer, Molly Fletcher, Kristen Butler, Hasard Lee, Natasha Graziano, ⁠David Hauser⁠, Cheryl Hunter, Michael Brandt, Heather Moyse, Tim Shriver, and Alan Stein, Jr. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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Sep 4, 2025 • 9min

The Hidden Cost of Always Being Busy

Ask someone how they’re doing, and odds are they’ll say, “Busy.” At some point, busyness became the ultimate adult humble brag, like flashing your Pokémon card collection, but with Google Calendar invites. In this episode, I break down the hidden cost of filling every square inch of your day, and why it might be quietly killing your best work.For more go to: www.scottmlynch.comLevel up your life by joining my Patreon where you’ll get exclusive content every week and more badass offerings (rips t-shirt in half, Hulk Hogan style, and runs around the room). And/or…Unlock practical and tactical insights on how to master your mindset and optimize your happiness directly to your inbox.If you’re a glutton for punishment and want more swift kicks in the mind follow me on social:InstagramYouTubeLeave a review and tell me how I suck so I can stop doing that or you can also tell me about things you like. I’d be okay with that, too.Produced by ya boi.Past guests on The Motivated Mind include Chris Voss, Captain Sandy, Dr. Chris Palmer, Joey Thurman, Jason Harris, Koshin Paley Ellison, Rudy Mawer, Molly Fletcher, Kristen Butler, Hasard Lee, Natasha Graziano, ⁠David Hauser⁠, Cheryl Hunter, Michael Brandt, Heather Moyse, Tim Shriver, and Alan Stein, Jr. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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Sep 1, 2025 • 7min

I Quit My Alarm Clock For A Month

We all know the drill: the alarm blares, you hit snooze, and somehow the day has already started on the wrong foot. So I decided to see what would happen if I quit my alarm clock for an entire month. In this episode, I share what I learned about waking up naturally, getting better sleep, and how letting go of the beeping tyranny of alarms actually improved my mornings, my productivity, and my sanity.For more go to: www.scottmlynch.comThis episode is brought to you by:TonalLevel up your life by joining my Patreon where you’ll get exclusive content every week and more badass offerings (rips t-shirt in half, Hulk Hogan style, and runs around the room). And/or…Unlock practical and tactical insights on how to master your mindset and optimize your happiness directly to your inbox.If you’re a glutton for punishment and want more swift kicks in the mind follow me on social:InstagramYouTubeLeave a review and tell me how I suck so I can stop doing that or you can also tell me about things you like. I’d be okay with that, too.Produced by ya boi.Past guests on The Motivated Mind include Chris Voss, Captain Sandy, Dr. Chris Palmer, Joey Thurman, Jason Harris, Koshin Paley Ellison, Rudy Mawer, Molly Fletcher, Kristen Butler, Hasard Lee, Natasha Graziano, ⁠David Hauser⁠, Cheryl Hunter, Michael Brandt, Heather Moyse, Tim Shriver, and Alan Stein, Jr. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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Aug 28, 2025 • 13min

Ranking The Best Self-Improvement Habits

Dive into a ranking of self-improvement habits that can genuinely transform your life. Discover which habits are truly beneficial and which may just be trendy distractions. From nutrition to the importance of social interactions, practical tips are laid out to help you level up. It’s all about the cumulative impact of consistent, positive choices. Are you ready to sort the gems from the junk?
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Aug 25, 2025 • 11min

Ranking The Worst Bad Habits

We all have habits that shape our lives, some helpful, some… not so much. In this episode, I rank the worst possible habits in a tier list, diving into what makes them truly destructive, why we keep falling for them, and what that says about the way we live. Think of it as a cautionary guide to what not to do if you actually want to get anywhere.For more go to: www.scottmlynch.comLevel up your life by joining my Patreon where you’ll get exclusive content every week and more badass offerings (rips t-shirt in half, Hulk Hogan style, and runs around the room). And/or…Unlock practical and tactical insights on how to master your mindset and optimize your happiness directly to your inbox.If you’re a glutton for punishment and want more swift kicks in the mind follow me on social:InstagramYouTubeLeave a review and tell me how I suck so I can stop doing that or you can also tell me about things you like. I’d be okay with that, too.Produced by ya boi.Past guests on The Motivated Mind include Chris Voss, Captain Sandy, Dr. Chris Palmer, Joey Thurman, Jason Harris, Koshin Paley Ellison, Rudy Mawer, Molly Fletcher, Kristen Butler, Hasard Lee, Natasha Graziano, ⁠David Hauser⁠, Cheryl Hunter, Michael Brandt, Heather Moyse, Tim Shriver, and Alan Stein, Jr. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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Aug 21, 2025 • 10min

This Might Be Why You Feel Lonely

We live in the most connected time in human history, video calls across the world, instant messages, and same-day delivery for just about anything we want. And yet we’ve also become the loneliest society ever. How did that happen? In this episode, I explore why modern life has left so many of us feeling isolated, what author Johann Hari discovered while investigating the root causes of depression and anxiety, and how rebuilding real human connection might be the antidote we’ve been missing.For more go to: www.scottmlynch.comLevel up your life by joining my Patreon where you’ll get exclusive content every week and more badass offerings (rips t-shirt in half, Hulk Hogan style, and runs around the room). And/or…Unlock practical and tactical insights on how to master your mindset and optimize your happiness directly to your inbox.If you’re a glutton for punishment and want more swift kicks in the mind follow me on social:InstagramYouTubeLeave a review and tell me how I suck so I can stop doing that or you can also tell me about things you like. I’d be okay with that, too.Produced by ya boi.Past guests on The Motivated Mind include Chris Voss, Captain Sandy, Dr. Chris Palmer, Joey Thurman, Jason Harris, Koshin Paley Ellison, Rudy Mawer, Molly Fletcher, Kristen Butler, Hasard Lee, Natasha Graziano, ⁠David Hauser⁠, Cheryl Hunter, Michael Brandt, Heather Moyse, Tim Shriver, and Alan Stein, Jr. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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