Passion Struck with John R. Miles

The purpose of today's show is to bring awareness to pancreatic cancer survival. In today’s show, John interviews Sindy Hooper about overcoming pancreatic cancer survivor and competing as an Ironman Triathlete. Sindy shares with us her incredible story of grit, hope, and finding success in extreme adversity.  Back in 2013, things could not have been better for Sindy. She was leading a happy existence with her physician husband at their countryside home. Sindy had just turned 50 and was in the best shape of her life. A huge fitness enthusiast, Sindy was training for Ironman Canada when she felt a few sharp abdominal and back pains. Further investigations revealed that she had pancreatic cancer – a disease with an average life expectancy of just 6 months.  After going through Whipple surgery where “they removed her gall bladder, bile duct, duodenum, bottom third of stomach and half the pancreas,” Sindy went through 18 rounds of IV chemo, 28 days of radiation, and a month of oral chemo. While she was going through her treatment, she decided to do what any rational person would. Sindy decided to participate in Ironman Canada!  The Ironman features a 3.9 km swim,180 km bike ride, and then a 42 km marathon, to put things in perspective. So, in August 2013, Sindy became the only pancreatic cancer survivor to finish an Ironman. In the process, she also raised thousands of dollars and gave hope to millions worldwide. How do you retain a positive mindset even when your future looks bleak, and all odds are stacked against you? Tune in and get inspired! How Sindy survived pancreatic cancer – one of the deadliest forms of the disease with a less than 5% survival rate How she finished the Ironman while I was undergoing chemotherapy How she retained a positive mindset even when all odds were stacked against me What she recommends to other growth seekers in how to take control of their lives And so much more… Questions that I Ask In This Show What was your life like before the cancer diagnosis? Can you explain how they performed the Whipple surgery on you? Can you share how you completed Ironman Canada while you were undergoing chemotherapy? Do you think there can be a success without adversity? What advice do you have for overcoming adversity? How do you deal with negative emotions? How is your life different now compared to how it was before you started your journey? Resources sindyhoop@gmail.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sinhoop/ Follow John R. Miles Here: Website - https://passionstruck.com/ ​Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/passion_struck_life ​ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Johnrmiles.c0m ​ Twitter: https://twitter.com/Milesjohnr ​ Medium: https://medium.com/@JohnRMiles John's Website: https://johnrmiles.com/ - John's New eBook - The Passion Struck Framework https://passionstruck.com/coaching/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In today’s momentum Friday show, John unpacks the “visionary arsonist” concept. So often in our lives, you aim to reach the stars but often you end up burning down your own dreams and preventing yourself from achieving your main goal. As entrepreneurs, we love to innovate. And, we are constantly enamored by every shiny new object that crosses our path. We hate the status quo. And exploring the new and the unknown gives us an adrenaline rush that we find irresistible. However, more often than not, these “shiny new objects” send us on a wild goose chase that only results in loss of time & productivity, and even failure. John shares his many experiences from corporate America to better explain his “visionary arsonist” concept. So, if this is something that resonates with you, and you find yourself lacking conviction and prioritization, tuning in today will particularly help you out. Enjoy!   What You Will Learn in This Show What does it mean to be a visionary arsonist? How to keep your focus and avoid being swayed by every shiny, new object How to build conviction and prioritize wisely And so much more… Follow John R. Miles Here: Website - https://passionstruck.com/ ​Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/passion_struck_life ​ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Johnrmiles.c0m ​ Twitter: https://twitter.com/Milesjohnr ​ Medium: https://medium.com/@JohnRMiles John's Website: https://johnrmiles.com/ - John's New eBook - The Passion Struck Framework https://passionstruck.com/coaching/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In today’s Passion Struck ™ podcast episode, John interviews his long-term friend and navy veteran Master Chief Tuck Williams who shares his wisdom on keeping your focus, conflict resolution, and managing change. Tuck joined the Navy in 1989 and recently retired after 30 years in service. Of these 30 years, Tuck spent 12 at sea. He has served in far-flung places like Spain and Japan and has been decorated with numerous service medals.  You will learn how to overcome some of the biggest challenges that are impeding your progress. Tuck shares some of the most important lessons learned in his three-decade-long service, from steering clear of distractions to swift conflict resolution. Finding the right mentors also helped Tuck immensely along the way. When he was just 19, he was drafted to Japan. An unsure and slightly out-of-sorts, Tuck, fortunately, found a great mentor to lean on who helped him settle down. Be it the military or corporate America; the only constant is change. And if you run away from change, you are committing hara-kiri as eventually your enemy or your competition will end up having a leg up on you. But, how can you prevent conflict and chaos in a dynamic environment? What all can you do to show up a responsible, caring, and thoughtful leader? Other topics discussed in today’s show include keeping your emotions in check at the workplace, tips for handling toxic people, and the importance of making good choices. Enjoy! Questions That I Ask In This Show What exactly is information warfare? Why are we not focusing on the urgent things that can truly move the needle forward for us? How did you keep your focus when you were serving in the Navy? What were some of the daily habits and routines that helped you find success in the Navy? How can you avoid being a visionary arsonist? What are some powerful lessons you have learned from some of the best leaders you have ever worked with? How did you learn to evaluate an organization to unearth the underlying issues? What tips do you have for handling toxic people and ensuring productivity and momentum? What advice do you have for your twenty-year-old self? What is the hardest thing that you have ever done in your career? ------- More about Master Chief Tuck Williams: - Tuck retired after serving as the Force Master Chief Navy Personnel Command. His fleet assignments include Navy Security Group Activity Rota, Spain, USS SARATOGA (CV-60), USS KIDD (DDG-993), USS JOSEPHUS DANIELS (CG-27), USS THORN (DD-988), USS RADFORD (DD-968), USS ESSEX (LHD-2), USS BULKELEY (DDG-84), USS OAK HILL (LSD-51), Navy Personnel Command, Millington, Tennessee, Navy Information Operations Command, Yokosuka, Japan, Navy Personnel Command, Millington, Tennessee, and Naval Support Activity Mid-South. ----- Follow John R. Miles Here: Website - https://passionstruck.com/ ​Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/passion_struck_life ​ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Johnrmiles.c0m ​ Twitter: https://twitter.com/Milesjohnr ​ Medium: https://medium.com/@JohnRMiles John's Website: https://johnrmiles.com/ - John's New eBook - The Passion Struck Framework https://passionstruck.com/coaching/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In today’s show, John explains applying the Mosquito Principle and its impact on maintaining your forward momentum. You will learn how the many “mosquitos” are sucking the motivation and impetus from your life The tiny mosquito is the most dangerous animal in the world and the cause behind diseases like malaria and the Zika virus.  Just as these inconspicuous insects can wreck up our health, there are many tiny “mosquitos” in our life (read acquaintances and habits) that rob us of our forward momentum. Because these “mosquitoes” are cleverly disguised, John shares the 4 different kinds of mosquitos in your life so that you can swat them out. Tune in now! What You Will Learn in This Show Why having sharks in your life is a good thing Why the “mosquito” is more dangerous than a shark The 4 different kinds of “mosquitos” and how to swat them out And so much more… Follow John R. Miles Here: Website - https://passionstruck.com/ ​Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/passion_struck_life ​ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Johnrmiles.c0m ​ Twitter: https://twitter.com/Milesjohnr ​ Medium: https://medium.com/@JohnRMiles John's Website: https://johnrmiles.com/ - John's New eBook - The Passion Struck Framework https://passionstruck.com/coaching/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Wish to learn techniques that can work wonders for your professional life and your personal life? Today's episode will teach you how you can apply personal agility to unlock your passion and creativity. In today’s show, we interview Maria Matarelli, CEO of Formula Ink and co-founder of the Agile Marketing Academy and Personal Agility Institute, where she reveals how her agile management strategies can catapult you miles ahead of the competition both in your business and personal life. Always a hard charger, Maria started working at 15 and paid her way through college. When she entered professional life, she decided to pursue agile project management – which was then an unknown field with very few experts. Maria progressed quickly through the corporate ranks, and as a 22-year-old, she was managing a 120-person team and saving her employer $1.5 million every year through her project management expertise.  So, when she was handed out a measly 5% increment, Maria decided to push back against the system, and ultimately, she managed to wrangle out a 100% salary increase. This win proved to be the turning point for Maria as she realized that if she worked hard enough and made herself indispensable, she could bend the rules.  After some more agile project management stints, Maria decided to branch out by kickstarting her own consultancy. While this was a brave and farsighted decision, the first year-and-a-half certainly tested Maria’s mettle. Maria went all out to realize her vision, from running through her entire bank balance to buying one-way tickets to Thailand and India. Agile techniques, Maria reveals, can help you improve not only on a professional level but also personally. So, if you are routinely bouncing off things, lack consistency and follow-through, then listening to Maria will surely help you out.  Enjoy! Questions That I Ask In This Show How do you transition from the insurance industry to agile management consultancy? Can you recall your AH-HA moment? How did you overcome your fears and doubts when you were starting? What do you do to stay on top of the market? Do you recall your first big success? What did it feel like? How have you applied your agile methodology to your personal life? How did you make a name for yourself as a DJ? Why did I see you wearing a T-Rex Costume? Where do I get my own money gun? What You Will Learn In This Show How I started my own agile management consultancy How to overcome some of the biggest entrepreneurial challenges How to build your personal brand in the consultancy space How finding your own niche can drive profitability and growth. How to apply agile methodology to your personal life And so much more Follow Maria here: Maria’s Website - http://mariamatarelli.com Formula Ink - http://formulaink.com Agile Marketing Academy - http://agilemarketingacademy.com Personal Agility Institute - http://personalagilityinstitute.org     Follow John R. Miles Here: Website - https://passionstruck.com/​ ​​Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/passion_str​uck_life ​​Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Johnrmiles.c0m ​Twitter: https://twitter.com/Milesjohnr ​​​Medium: https://medium.com/@JohnRMiles ​ ​John's Website: https://johnrmiles.com/​ - John's New eBook - The Passion Struck Framework https://passionstruck.com/coaching/ ​Follow Passion Struck on Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/iampassions​truck  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What is the one thing that Matthew McConoughey taught me which had a profound impact on my life? It’s the importance of showing up. Matthew was a regular at our weekly congregation in Austin. He would show up unfailingly with his entire family, bring along his co-stars, and even mix freely with everyone.  This had a huge impact on my son, who was facing a particularly tough time in middle school then. Matthew also made me realize that I need to be more present for my family, irrespective of my busy professional life. In today’s show, I reveal the three things that you can do so that you can show up every single day. If you feel that you need to set your priorities right and have been unfair to your loved ones, listening to today’s show will particularly help you out. Enjoy! What You Will Learn In This Show Three Ways you can show up every single day. How to make a contract with yourself and hold yourself accountable How to manage your time in the most judicious manner And so much more… Resources The Contract With Yourself Follow John R. Miles Here: Website - https://passionstruck.com/ ​Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/passion_struck_life ​ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Johnrmiles.c0m ​ Twitter: https://twitter.com/Milesjohnr ​ Medium: https://medium.com/@JohnRMiles John's Website: https://johnrmiles.com/ - John's New eBook - The Passion Struck Framework https://passionstruck.com/coaching/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In today’s show, we interview Digital Marketing Specialist and Instagram Expert David Dang, who shares his distilled wisdom on the secret to building a magnetic brand.  You will learn how he discovered his superpower, which has helped him evolve into one of the most sought-after Instagram experts today. In 2006, when David moved to Canada from Vietnam, he did not speak a single English word. Over the years, he overcame this handicap by listening to audiobooks. This is what stoked his passion for personal development and business.   David was quick to realize that he was not cut out of corporate America. And while he was keen on starting his business, he had to find something that did not require a huge capital investment. And this is when he stumbled onto online business. When David graduated with his marketing degree, he already had a flourishing eCommerce business. However, he did not monetize his Instagram for the first two years.  In this period, David shared helpful and valuable content that made him magnetic to his ideal clients.  You will learn the importance of discovering your WHY and picking your career path for the right reasons.  If you view your career as a means to an end, you will find yourself low on drive and passion sooner or later. However, if you have the right mindset and are enjoying every minute of it, you will surely find the success that you rightly deserve. Tune in for some golden nuggets! Questions that I Ask in Today’s Show How did you first get interested in your personal development? Which are some of the books that influenced your career path? What was your first job outside the university? How did you build up a massive following on Instagram even though you took an atypical path different from all other influencers? How did you manage to monetize your 2m+ following on Instagram? What tips do you have about goal-setting? How do you prioritize your different goals? How has your life changed compared to what it was when you began your journey What advice do you have for people to help them face their fears and lead a purpose-driven life? And so much more... What You Will Learn In This Show How I created a magnetic brand on Instagram Why creating helpful and valuable content is the only way to build up your Instagram following. Mindset strategies to “get your head right.” Overcoming skepticism and finding the courage to follow your own path  The power of discovering your WHY And so much more… Resources How to Win Friends and Influence People Rich Dad, Poor Dad David’s Website Follow John R. Miles Here: Website - https://passionstruck.com/​ ​​Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/passion_str​uck_life ​​Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Johnrmiles.c0m ​Twitter: https://twitter.com/Milesjohnr ​​​Medium: https://medium.com/@JohnRMiles ​ ​John's Website: https://johnrmiles.com/​ - John's New eBook - The Passion Struck Framework https://passionstruck.com/coaching/ ​Follow Passion Struck on Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/iampassions​truck      See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ever wondered how you maintain your forward momentum in the face of extreme adversity? How can you keep anxiety and depression at bay even when all odds are stacked against you? In today’s show, John shares his wisdom on confronting your reality, unlocking human potential, and a positive mindset. Nearly 30 years back, John had the good fortune of meeting Admiral James Stockdale in his sophomore year at the Naval Academy. There was no better inspiration than Admiral Stockdale, who had been held a POW for a couple of years, was nearly beaten to death, and yet miraculously survived. So, how did Admiral Stockdale survive the brutality of his captors? Despite everything, how did he manage to cling on to hope and positivity? With the pandemic outbreak, many of us are experiencing pangs of anxiety and depression. While it is tempting to withdraw into a shell, John reminds us WHY you need to face your reality head-on in today's show. You will learn how visualizing your future can help you refocus on what you need to do today to move towards your end goal. Enjoy! What You Will Learn In This Show Why being “indifferent” in the face of adversity is the biggest mistake that you can make How to maintain hope and positivity even when the odds are stacked against you Why you need to focus more on inputs rather than the outcome And so much more… Follow John R. Miles Here: Website - https://passionstruck.com/ ​Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/passion_struck_life ​ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Johnrmiles.c0m ​ Twitter: https://twitter.com/Milesjohnr ​ Medium: https://medium.com/@JohnRMiles John's Website: https://johnrmiles.com/ - John's New eBook - The Passion Struck Framework https://passionstruck.com/coaching/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In today’s show, we have a chat with human building coach, Mac Brazina who shares her thoughts on cultivating mental toughness, self-care, and women’s empowerment. When Mac first started Human Builder, she was focusing solely on physical training. However, she soon found her true calling, which was helping her clients cultivate a stellar mindset.  Be it the boxing ring, business, or life in general; you will learn that your biggest competition is with yourself.  John reveals the mosquito principle from his Passion Struck Framework at this juncture and shares how you swat out the people, habits, and influences that are holding you back. The comfort of a safety net, mounting anxiety, and the resulting negative self-talk pull us down and prevents us from leading a purpose-filled life. In today’s show, Mac encourages one and all to have an open discussion on mental wellness.  We share some great self-care tips so that you forge ahead instead of internalizing your pain. Enjoy! Some of the Questions that I Ask In This Show How did you find and unlock your hidden potential? How did you develop the right mindset to excel at a daunting sport like boxing? How do you train your clients and help them build a tough mindset? How do you conduct a mosquito audit of your life?  Why are most people afraid to lead a purpose-filled life? How did you become interested in the brain’s impact on human performance? How has the meaning of female empowerment, strength, and masculinity evolved? Some of the Questions that I Ask In This Show How did you find and unlock your hidden potential? How did you develop the right mindset to excel at a daunting sport like boxing? How do you train your clients and help them build a tough mindset? How do you conduct a mosquito audit of your life?  Why are most people afraid to lead a purpose-filled life? How did you become interested in the brain’s impact on human performance? How has the meaning of female empowerment, strength, and masculinity evolved over time? What You Will Learn In This Show How to unlock the power of your mind Actionable self-care tips and coping strategies The mosquito principle, and how to swat out all the things that are pulling you down And so much more… Follow Mac Brazina Here: Website: https://humanbuilder.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_human_builder/ Follow John R. Miles Here: Website - https://passionstruck.com/ ​Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/passion_struck_life ​ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Johnrmiles.c0m ​ Twitter: https://twitter.com/Milesjohnr ​ Medium: https://medium.com/@JohnRMiles John's Website: https://johnrmiles.com/ - John's New eBook - The Passion Struck Framework https://passionstruck.com/coaching/ Follow Passion Struck on Instagram    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ever wondered how successful business leaders constantly re-invent themselves? And, how they emerge even stronger after every crisis? Today's episode will discuss just that and the key to becoming a successful entrepreneur.  In today’s show, we have Hugh Campbell, a five-time serial entrepreneur and founder, AC4S Technologies, who shares his wisdom on growth, innovation, and integrity. You will learn how Hugh went from being a West Point graduate to successfully running a half-a-billion-dollar business. After graduating from Military Academy at West Point, Hugh worked at a data-communications company, Intermedia Communications, for a bit. He soon found VC backing and ventured out on his own with Accelacom, Inc. – a high-speed internet company. This business really took off, and ironically, Hugh became a victim of his own success. Eager to cash out, the VCs sold off the business in bits and pieces, and Hugh was forced to reinvent himself yet again.  Wanting great autonomy after this bittersweet experience, Hugh founded the cloud-solution company AC4S technologies. In this segment of the show, you will learn the importance of looking forward, taking calculated risks, and surrounding yourself with trusted advisors. Particularly, Hugh talks about the watershed moment in his career after which AC4S Technologies really took off. We also have a heartfelt discussion on the importance of integrity. Regarding the recent cheating scandal at West Point, both Hugh and John share their thoughts on conducting your personal and professional life with the utmost integrity.  As the CEO of the Council of Tampa Bay, Hugh also shares how he is helping create a safe space for CEOs to share their challenges and struggles with their like-minded counterparts.  Towards the end, we have some excellent advice for young people on the cusp of their professional life. Enjoy! What You Will Learn In This Show The importance of conducting yourself with the utmost integrity How to face challenges head-on and constantly reinvent yourself The importance of taking calculated risks for catapulting ahead of the competition How great communication can help you achieve a good work-life balance And so much more… Questions That I Ask In This Show How did you go from attending West Point to building a half-a-billion-dollar company? How has the honor code affected you professionally? What are your thoughts on the recent cheating scandal at West Point? What are some of the biggest fears that you have had to overcome as you evolved yourself again and again?  What are some words of wisdom that you will give to your 25-year-old self? What is the importance of patience? How do you achieve a good work-life balance? Are there any red flag mechanisms that are helping you face your current reality? What advice would you give veterans who are transitioning out and entering civilian life? Resources AC4S Technologies CEO Council of Tampa Bay Follow John R. Miles Here: Website - https://passionstruck.com/ ​Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/passion_struck_life ​ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Johnrmiles.c0m ​ Twitter: https://twitter.com/Milesjohnr ​ Medium: https://medium.com/@JohnRMiles John's Website: https://johnrmiles.com/ - John's New eBook - The Passion Struck Framework https://passionstruck.com/coaching/  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.