Is Your Money Losing Power? Bitcoin, Inflation, and the Future of Wealth | Eric Runge

Buying Property Without Emotion: Real Estate Strategy, First Homes, and Wealth Building | Hadley Nightingale

Buying property without emotion starts with having a real estate strategy before you make an offer. Hadley Nightingale, founder of New Zealand Property Buyers, joins L. Michael Burt to talk about property investing, first-home mistakes, buyer representation, wealth building, and why strategy matters more than speed. Hadley shares how rough early seasons in road trains, mining, and family court shaped his resilience and personal responsibility. He explains why most buyers get the order wrong by looking at houses before understanding their strategy, their financial position, and their long-term goal. This conversation covers emotional buying, bad advice from people who have never built wealth, the fear many younger buyers feel about being priced out, renting vs buying with a plan, and why your first home should not automatically become your first rental. For The ThriveWell Journey audience, this is more than a real estate conversation. It is a conversation about ownership, self-leadership, patience, direction, and building a life where wealth supports time, freedom, and purpose. Key Topics Hadley's early years in mining and their impact on resilience The importance of ownership and responsibility in life and investing Strategic property investment and market timing Overcoming fears and emotional biases in real estate The role of systems and sequencing in successful investing Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 01:00 Resilience and Personal Growth 05:40 The Shift to Real Estate Investment 09:35 Advice for Aspiring Investors 13:21 Identifying Market Gaps 16:40 The Need for Buyer Advocacy 22:00 Strategic Decision-Making in Property Investment 24:05 Balancing Emotion and Logic in Home Buying 27:52 Understanding Market Dynamics and Property Pricing 30:49 Navigating the Current Economic Landscape 33:59 The Challenges Faced by Gen Z Home Buyers 39:46 Corporate Influence in the Housing Market 44:57 Navigating Market Opportunities 46:42 The Airbnb Investment Landscape 48:26 The Importance of Strategic Sequencing 51:41 Adapting Strategies Through Life Stages 54:03 Understanding Property Investment Dynamics 59:17 Redefining Richness and Life Priorities 01:02:12 Strategic Planning for Property Investment 01:04:10 Key Takeaways and Closing Thoughts Connect with Hadley on Instagram: @hadleynightingale. Message 'checklist' for his property buying guides. Connect w/ L. Michael & TTJ You did not lose your way. You got trapped inside a story about what happened. This free reset helps you separate the event from the meaning so you can move again. - https://bit.ly/YouDidNotLoseYourWay [https://bit.ly/YouDidNotLoseYourWay] http://ushaman.com/elixir [http://ushaman.com/elixir] - Get 10% off: USE CODE: THRIVEWELL Be a guest on The Thrivewell Journey Podcast? Send L. Michael Burt a message on #PodMatch, https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/thethrivewelljourney [https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/thethrivewelljourney]

How to Stay Calm Under Pressure, Stop Reacting, and Build Resilience | Michael Ostrolenk

How do you build resilience under pressure without pretending stress is not real? Michael Ostrolenk joins L. Michael Burt for a practical and deeply grounded conversation on self-awareness, emotional regulation, discipline, internal governance, and what it means to train yourself for real life. Michael brings experience as a marriage and family therapist, master coach, resilience architect, martial arts practitioner, and human performance specialist. This discussion moves beyond generic stress management. It explores how pressure shows up in the body, why distraction becomes a way to escape discomfort, how to notice your state before you react, and why discipline helps you become more capable when life gets difficult. You will hear about the four pillars of holistic resilience, Fudoshin and the immovable mind, training for relationships, sovereignty, belief systems, kindness, love, and the practice of becoming a person who can respond instead of react. KEY TOPICS Holistic resilience pillars: physiological, psychological, spiritual, relational The importance of internal governance and authenticity Practical strategies for stress and pressure management The role of discipline, hard work, and challenging oneself Martial arts principles applied to personal growth and relationships Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Resilience and Personal Growth 03:07 The Four Pillars of Resilience 05:53 Understanding Distraction and Emotional Awareness 08:51 The Importance of Sitting with Discomfort 11:54 Cultural Noise and Self-Reflection 14:49 The Role of Martial Arts in Personal Development 18:01 Training for Relationships: The Relationship Dojo 28:10 Martial Arts as a Metaphor for Life 29:49 Fudishin: The Immovable Mind 32:32 Discipline and Spirituality in Personal Growth 36:34 The Importance of Hard Challenges 41:46 Sovereignty and Authenticity in Manhood 52:35 Understanding Personal Beliefs and Sovereignty 53:02 The Code of Conduct for Gentlemen 54:31 The Importance of Ethical Behavior 56:12 Revitalizing the Concept of a Gentleman 58:32 Managing Aggression and Self-Protection 01:00:11 Building Capacity Through Challenges 01:02:05 Recognizing and Managing Triggers 01:08:00 The Power of Kindness and Love Guest links: Substack: https://michaelostrolenk.substack.com/ [https://michaelostrolenk.substack.com/] Twitter / X: https://twitter.com/michaelostrolenk [https://twitter.com/michaelostrolenk] Instagram: https://instagram.com/michaelostrolenk [https://instagram.com/michaelostrolenk] LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/michaelostrolenk [https://linkedin.com/in/michaelostrolenk] Connect w/ L. Michael & TTJ You did not lose your way. You got trapped inside a story about what happened. This free reset helps you separate the event from the meaning so you can move again. - https://bit.ly/YouDidNotLoseYourWay [https://bit.ly/YouDidNotLoseYourWay] http://ushaman.com/elixir [http://ushaman.com/elixir] - Get 10% off: USE CODE: THRIVEWELL Be a guest on The Thrivewell Journey Podcast? Send L. Michael Burt a message on #PodMatch, https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/thethrivewelljourney [https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/thethrivewelljourney]

Mental Resilience Under Pressure: How to Win Today | Joshua Lifrak

Mental resilience is not about pretending pressure is not there. It is about learning to respond rather than react when life, leadership, business, or personal disruption puts you under stress. Joshua Lifrak joins The ThriveWell Journey to share mental performance lessons from his work with elite athletes, high-performing teams, and the Chicago Cubs during their historic rise from last place to World Series champions. L. Michael Burt and Joshua explore how to define your story, stay present under pressure, build stronger relationships, stop the storm of negative thinking, and reset your mindset through Joshua’s Mile Zero framework. This conversation connects sports psychology, leadership, mindfulness, and practical transformation for anyone rebuilding their life, identity, or direction after disruption. Listeners will walk away with a simple but powerful reminder: a winning streak starts with one win, and that win can begin with the next choice you make today. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Joshua Lifrak and His Journey 04:27 Transforming the Chicago Cubs: A Mental Skills Perspective 09:36 The Power of Team Culture and Accountability 10:03 Defining What It Means to Be a Cub 12:59 Defining Your Story: Intentions and Mindset 19:08 Building Strong Relationships for Growth 19:38 The Power of Teamwork 22:02 The Purpose of Connection 24:35 Defining Your Story 26:46 Staying Present Amidst Pressure 30:17 Finding Bliss in the Now 35:18 Stopping the Storm of Negative Thoughts 42:21 The Power of Noticing and Awareness 45:11 Choosing Growth and Learning from Failure 45:42 Mile Zero: Resetting Your Mindset 56:17 Navigating Disruption and Transformation 01:02:29 The Choice to Transform Today Connect w/ Joshua Lifrak - Resources Joshua Lifrak's Book - https://joshualiffrak.com [https://joshualiffrak.com] Limitless Minds Podcast - https://limitlessminds.com/podcast [https://limitlessminds.com/podcast] Amishi Jha's Mindfulness Training - https://miami.edu [https://miami.edu] Chicago Cubs Official Site - https://www.mlb.com/cubs [https://www.mlb.com/cubs] IMG Academy - https://www.imgacademy.com [https://www.imgacademy.com] Guest link: https://joshualifrak.com [https://joshualifrak.com] Connect w/ L. Michael & TTJ You did not lose your way. You got trapped inside a story about what happened. This free reset helps you separate the event from the meaning so you can move again. - https://bit.ly/YouDidNotLoseYourWay [https://bit.ly/YouDidNotLoseYourWay] http://ushaman.com/elixir [http://ushaman.com/elixir] - Get 10% off: USE CODE: THRIVEWELL Be a guest on The Thrivewell Journey Podcast? Send L. Michael Burt a message on #PodMatch, https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/thethrivewelljourney [https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/thethrivewelljourney] #LMichaelBurt #TheThriveWellJourneyPodcast #podmatch

How to Pivot in Life After Change and Find Purpose Again | Jeff Seckendorf

How do you know when it is time to pivot in life instead of staying committed to something that no longer fits? Jeff Seckendorf joins The ThriveWell Journey for a powerful conversation about pivoting, purpose, aging, reinvention, fun, accountability, and living fully after change. From film and scuba to coaching, endurance cycling, and world-record athletic achievement, Jeff shares what it looks like to keep creating new chapters instead of shrinking into old ones. This episode speaks to anyone rebuilding life after disruption, questioning what comes next, or learning how to tell the difference between quitting and choosing a new direction. Jeff’s story brings a grounded reminder: if something is no longer working, you do not have to stay there. You can pivot, get help, walk your talk, and create a life that still has purpose. Chapters 00:00 Embracing Change: The Power of Pivoting 06:14 Life's Pivots: From Film to Fitness 11:41 Finding Purpose: Helping Others 19:09 The Role of Motivation in Performance 29:36 Getting Unstuck: The Importance of Support 35:31 Navigating Internal States and Fun 39:31 Coaching Across Generations 43:32 The Importance of Accountability 46:04 Aging: Perspectives and Experiences 54:28 Living Life Fully and Pivoting Connect w/ Jeff Seckendorf Guest Links Website - https://coachmestrong.com [https://coachmestrong.com] Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/athletes-over-70/id1541234567 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/athletes-over-70/id1541234567] Resources Annie Duke's Book 'Quit' - https://www.amazon.com/Quit-psychology-when-know-when/dp/0062855744 [https://www.amazon.com/Quit-psychology-when-know-when/dp/0062855744] Jeff Seckendorf's Podcast 'Athletes Over 70' - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/athletes-over-70/id1541234567 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/athletes-over-70/id1541234567] CoachMeStrong.com [http://CoachMeStrong.com] - https://coachmestrong.com [https://coachmestrong.com] Connect w/ L. Michael & TTJ You did not lose your way. You got trapped inside a story about what happened. This free reset helps you separate the event from the meaning so you can move again. - https://bit.ly/YouDidNotLoseYourWay [https://bit.ly/YouDidNotLoseYourWay] http://ushaman.com/elixir [http://ushaman.com/elixir] - Get 10% off: USE CODE: THRIVEWELL Be a guest on The Thrivewell Journey Podcast? Send L. Michael Burt a message on #PodMatch, https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/thethrivewelljourney [https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/thethrivewelljourney]

Is Your Money Losing Power? Bitcoin, Inflation, and the Future of Wealth | Eric Runge

Most people are asking whether Bitcoin is risky. But the better question is this: do we understand the money we already trust every single day? On this episode of The ThriveWell Journey Podcast, L. Michael Burt sits down with Eric Runge, founder of Veritas Bitcoin Strategies, to talk about Bitcoin, inflation, fiat currency, the U.S. dollar, financial trust, and what people need to understand before making decisions with money. This episode is not built on hype, panic, or quick financial promises. It is a grounded conversation about what happens when the cost of living rises, the dollar loses purchasing power, and more people ask whether Bitcoin belongs in long-term wealth. Eric breaks down fiat currency versus sound money, why the dollar is no longer backed by gold, why Bitcoin is often called digital gold, and why studying money matters before making investment decisions. Michael asks the questions many people have but may not know how to ask: What is Bitcoin? Why does it have value? How is it different from other cryptocurrencies? Should regular people pay attention? How do families, entrepreneurs, and investors prepare for a financial world changing faster than they realize? Money is not just numbers on a screen. It affects stress, family, retirement, business, opportunity, and how people plan their future. If you are trying to understand inflation, Bitcoin, the future of the dollar, or wealth in uncertain times, this episode will give you better questions and a stronger foundation. This episode is for educational purposes only and is not financial advice. Speak with a qualified financial professional before investing. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Austrian Economics and Monetary Theory 02:55 The Importance of Understanding the Dollar and National Debt 06:00 The Shift from Gold Standard to Fiat Currency 09:04 The Current State of the Dollar and Global Currency Dynamics 11:46 The Future of the Dollar and Potential Decline 14:58 Navigating Finances in a Fiat System 18:01 The Role of Bitcoin in the Financial Landscape 20:56 Understanding Bitcoin: Its Origins and Significance 23:46 Preparing for Financial Changes and the Role of Bitcoin 32:21 Understanding Scarcity and Value in Bitcoin 34:31 The Unique Characteristics of Bitcoin 36:51 Bitcoin vs. Other Cryptocurrencies 42:34 Advice for New Bitcoin Investors 46:04 The Mindset of Bitcoin Maximalists 56:28 The Importance of Financial Education Connect w/ Eric Runge LinkedIn [https://linkedin.com/in/eric-runge-veritas] Family Office Bitcoin [https://familyofficebitcoin.com/about/] Book - Bitcoin & The Family Office: An Intelligent Introduction for the Ultra Affluent [https://us.amazon.com/Bitcoin-Family-Office-Intelligent-Introduction/dp/B0GV5G5L9Y] Connect w/ L. Michael & TTJ You did not lose your way. You got trapped inside a story about what happened. This free reset helps you separate the event from the meaning so you can move again. - https://bit.ly/YouDidNotLoseYourWay [https://bit.ly/YouDidNotLoseYourWay] http://ushaman.com/elixir [http://ushaman.com/elixir] - Get 10% off: USE CODE: THRIVEWELL Be a guest on The Thrivewell Journey Podcast? Send L. Michael Burt a message on #PodMatch, https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/thethrivewelljourney [https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/thethrivewelljourney]