DC Local Leaders Podcast

In this inspiring episode of The Jumping Point Podcast, host Phillip sits down with professional race car driver and mechanical engineer Sabre Cook. At 30 years old, Sabre shares her journey navigating the male-dominated world of motorsports, from her early days in go-karts to becoming a professional driver competing internationally. She reveals the physical and mental demands of racing, her approach to building a sustainable business around her passion, and the powerful life lessons learned from significant injuries that forced her to prioritize self-care. Through candid conversation about meditation practices, mental health challenges, and spiritual growth, Sabre offers valuable insights on resilience, adaptability, and the power of consistent action.5 Key Takeaways:Success in motorsports relies on adaptability and creating consistency in an inherently inconsistent environmentElite race car drivers must maintain exceptional physical fitness with specialized training (neck strength, core bracing, heat conditioning)Building a business around your passion requires learning to delegate and find the right people to support growthPersonal growth often comes from adversity; Sabre's injuries taught her to value herself and speak up for her needsMental training through visualization and meditation is as crucial as physical training for high-performance athletes

In this episode of The Jumping Point Podcast, host Phillip welcomes James Schenck, President of Pentagon Federal Credit Union. They explore James's journey from military service to financial leadership, discussing how authentic leadership drives organizational success. James shares insights on aligning organizational mission with employee values, managing energy rather than just time, and creating a culture where people feel valued. Through personal anecdotes and leadership philosophies, James reveals how PenFed's emphasis on human connection alongside technological advancement has created both business success and member loyalty.What we learned from James to help transform our leadership:True leadership means aligning organizational mission with what drives your teamCreate what James calls "combustion" - that magical energy when purpose and people connectBe patient enough to wait for the second marshmallow (you'll understand when you listen!)Focus on accumulating small wins instead of drowning in endless to-do listsTechnology is powerful, but "it can never replace the human touch"

I this episode of The Jumping Point Phillip K. Naithram and Brian Chidester discussed personal growth, emotional intelligence, and the importance of seeking diverse perspectives. They emphasized the value of empathy, gratitude, and positive habits in achieving personal growth. They also shared experiences on navigating life's paths, including career choices, family dynamics, and personal growth.  They Dive in to the challenges of maintaining authenticity and fostering meaningful connections highlighting the importance of vulnerability, transparency, and a more personal approach to building relationships.Take Your Free Leadership Diagnostic and Behavioral Assessment Here – Just 2 mins can show you so much!  Once your down, schedule your free readback and lets see what your Emotional Intelligence says about your leadership Connect and DM on LinkedIn Phillip Naithram Brain Chidester Check out The Government Huddle Podcast Here Highlights·      Resilience and Personal Development Through Sports·      Balancing Career and Passion·      Health Challenges, Resiliency and Personal Growth·      Authenticity and Human Connection in Personal and Professional Life·      Gratitude and Investing in Relationships

Comparison is the Destroyer of Joy – Susan MalyTodays episode features Susan Maly an USAF Veteran, Entrepreneur, Author and Athlete. She shares her message of keeping things Simple and how to gracefully be bad at something long enough to get good at it.Our comparison to others is Ego dressed as Judgement and Fear. It is the thief of our happiness.Get More great Ideas like this right to your inbox with our Whole Human Newsletter.  - Dream BIG. Live WELL. https://whole.phillipnaithram.com/Get a FREE Whoop 4.0 PLUS  $30 OFF your first month the Whole Human Method discount HERE

R.A.I.NRecognize, Allow, Investigate & Nature. How to practice RAIN and Replace. Learn exactly what to do to start shifting those paralyzing negative thoughts into super powers Today !Get More great Ideas like this right to your inbox with our Whole Human Newsletter.  SIGN UP HERE TODAY!  - Dream BIG. Live WELL.Get a FREE Whoop 4.0 and  $30 OFF  with our Whole Human Method discount HERE

I am Statements....  How often are you giving yourself Negative Affirmations and not even thinking about it??I love and approve of myself. If you cringed when you read that then this episode is for you.Get More great Ideas like this right to your inbox with our Whole Human Newsletter.  SIGN UP HERE TODAY!  - Dream BIG. Live WELL.The Whole Human Method is a guide for expanding our Minds and Careers. Get insights and tangible exercises that Improve our Careers, Relationships, Performance, Productivity, Emotional Health and Mental Fitness.Email The Show - to suggest a guest, work With Phillip 1:1, and learn about Speaking Engagement and Master Classes.Connect with Phillip on Linkedin and Instagram

When I am in your head I am out of my Mind... Letting Go of the Thoughts, Actions, and Opinions of othersAcceptance is the Answer,Get More great Ideas like this right to your inbox with our Whole Human Newsletter.  SIGN UP HERE TODAY!  - Dream BIG. Live WELL.The Whole Human Method is a guide for expanding our Minds and Careers. Get insights and tangible exercises that Improve our Careers, Relationships, Performance, Productivity, Emotional Health and Mental Fitness.Email The Show - to suggest a guest, work With Phillip 1:1, and learn about Speaking Engagement and Master Classes.Connect with Phillip on Linkedin and Instagram

These are the 5 questions to ask ourselves Daily to grow mentally, spiritually , and physically. Get More great Ideas like this right to your inbox with our Whole Human Newsletter.  SIGN UP HERE TODAY!  - Dream BIG. Live WELL.The Whole Human Method is a guide for expanding our Minds and Careers. Get insights and tangible exercises that Improve our Careers, Relationships, Performance, Productivity, Emotional Health and Mental Fitness.Email The Show - to suggest a guest, work With Phillip 1:1, and learn about Speaking Engagement and Master Classes.Connect with Phillip on Linkedin and Instagram

Get Inspiring Messages, Emotional Fitness techniques and more great Ideas like this right to your inbox with our Whole Human Newsletter.  SIGN UP HERE TODAY!  - Dream BIG. Live WELL.The Whole Human Method is a guide for expanding our Minds and Careers. Get insights and tangible exercises that Improve our Careers, Relationships, Performance, Productivity, Emotional Health and Mental Fitness.Email The Show - to suggest a guest, work With Phillip 1:1, and learn about Speaking Engagement and Master Classes.Connect with Phillip on Linkedin and InstagramTodays Episode American forces were instrumental in the lives of many Afghans for over 20 years. Many of them never knew life without Americans in in their country. It's been a year since the withdrawal and on this Veterans Day we hear the story of Asma Paigeer who overcome immense fear and uncertainty and put the lives of others ahead of one's own.Asma Paigeer showed incredible courage as she worked with US Forces to escape the Taliban following the fall of Afghanistan. She not only helped herself but saved the lives of 147 young women and refused to leave without rescuing the 3 that were kidnapped by the Taliban. Her Father worked with US forces for 15 years and they were a visible family in Afghanistan. When the government was succeeded by the Taliban their home was marked and her family including herself were targeted.  Now that she has escaped to the US she is a student at VA Tech and is making it her personal life mission to learn, succeed and work to improve her country. Her message is simple. “ If I don't Succeed, then they Win”  Take a listen and support Asma's education at with the link provided below  https://gofund.me/a97046d7

“Nothing will sabotage our happiness and success more thoroughly than the fear that we are not enough.” – Bill CrawfordGet More great Ideas like this right to your inbox with our Whole Human Newsletter.  SIGN UP HERE TODAY!  - Dream BIG. Live WELL.The Whole Human Method is a guide for expanding our Minds and Careers. Get insights and tangible exercises that Improve our Careers, Relationships, Performance, Productivity, Emotional Health and Mental Fitness.Email The Show - to suggest a guest, work With Phillip 1:1, and learn about Speaking Engagement and Master Classes.Connect with Phillip on Linkedin and Instagram

The 3 M's - Mindfullness, Meditation, and ManifestationFull Clip from todays episode here : How Mindfulness, Meditation & Manifesting Can Improve Your Life | Emily FletcherGet More great Ideas like this right to your inbox with our Whole Human Newsletter.  SIGN UP HERE TODAY!  - Dream BIG. Live WELL.The Whole Human Method is a guide for expanding our Minds and Careers. Get insights and tangible excercises that Improve our Careers, Relationships, Performance, Productivity, Emotional Health and Mental Fitness.Email The Show - to suggest a guest, work With Phillip 1:1, and learn about Speaking Engagement and Master Classes.Connect with Phillip on Linkedin and Instagram

ANTS - Automatic Negative Thoughts and How to Overcome themJoin The Whole Human Method Newsletter  - Dream BIG. Live WELL.The Whole Human Method is a guide for expanding our Minds and Careers. Get insights and tangible excercises that Improve our Careers, Relationships, Performance, Productivity, Emotional Health and Mental Fitness.Email The Show - to suggest a guest, work With Phillip 1:1, and learn about Speaking Engagement and Master Classes.Connect with Phillip on Linkedin and Instagram

“For your life to be great,your faith must be bigger than your fear.”― Robin S. Sharma Join The Whole Human Method Newsletter  - Dream BIG. Live WELL.The Whole Human Method is a guide for expanding our Minds and Careers. Get insights and tangible excercises that Improve our Careers, Relationships, Performance, Productivity, Emotional Health and Mental Fitness.GRAB YOUR COPY OF Marc's Book -  Family, Football & Failure Today!Email The Show - to suggest a guest, work With Phillip 1:1, and learn about Speaking Engagement and Master Classes.Connect with Phillip on Linkedin and InstagramMarc Nudelberg is a Former NCAA Football Coach turned Author, Entrepreneur and High-Performance Coach to the business community.Hear tangible practices and insights that anyone can practice to UP our game and show up as an Athlete of Life. He applies the knowledge gained from Coaching D1 Atheltes to his own life and to coach High Performaning Business Leaders. 

“The great secret of getting what you want from life is to know what you want and believe you can have it.” —Norman Vincent PealeJoin The Whole Human Method Newsletter  - Dream BIG. Live WELL. The Whole Human Method is a guide for expanding our Minds and Careers. Get insights and tangible excercises that Improve our Careers, Relationships, Performance, Productivity, Emotional Health and Mental Fitness.Email The Show - to suggest a guest, work With Phillip 1:1, and learn about Speaking Engagement and Master Classes.Connect with Phillip on Linkedin and Instagram“The great secret of getting what you want from life is to know what you want and believe you can have it.” —Norman Vincent PealeWhat If you don't believe? The Perfect Day Exercise uses a journalling exercise to help you get clear on the Vision for the future you want to create for yourself and how to get there. 

Join The Whole Human Method Newsletter  - Expanding Minds and Careers.  Improve your Career, Relationships, Performance, Productivity, and Emotional and Mental Fitness.The Whol Human Method is a guide to Living Authentically, Transforming Personally, and Flourishing ProfessionallyEmail The Show - to suggest a guest, work With Phillip 1:1, and learn about Speaking Engagement and Master Classes.Connect with Phillip on Linkedin and InstagramTerrance Cooley, Chief People Officer and CIO, United States Air Force- JADC2 R&D Center joins the DC Local Leaders Podcast for Episode 107 Terrance Cooley practices minimalism in his personal life which has opened up space for him to lead his team without Mental Clutter Here how he first began this practice and what it has done for his Mindset and ability to find clarity and purpose in his life.  He shares his story of developing #resilience from his childhood experiences and his passionate for youth mentorship with Stanford Sierra Youth & Families. Terrance opens up about “WHY” behind his recent decision to become a Foster Parent and how he hopes to impact the lives of future generations with his example.  The DC Local Leaders Podcast is guiding you to greatness with #mindset tips and sharing the journeys of High Performing Leaders. Subscribe Today using Link comments.

Join The Whole Human Method Newsletter  - Expanding Minds and Careers.  Improve your Career, Relationships, Performance, Productivity, and Emotional and Mental Fitness.The Whol Human Method is a guide to Living Authentically, Transforming Personally, and Flourishing ProfessionallyEmail The Show - to suggest a guest, work With Phillip 1:1, and learn about Speaking Engagement and Master Classes.Connect with Phillip on Linkedin and Instagram“Never let the future disturb you. You will meet it, if you have to” ― Marcus AureliusI have learned to set aside time to worry instead of allowing it to rule my thoughts. This has been a tremendous tool that helps keep me out of my own way. Here's a quick summary of the technique:Every week I set time on the calendar to worry. I don't tell myself to stop or criticize myself for worrying in the moment. I simply recognize it, name it and schedule time on the calendar to do it. I have found that almost 100 % of the time if I haven't completely forgotten about it until I read the list whatever I planned on worrying about has either: 1.      Taken care of itself without my involvement2.      Been solved by action 3.      No longer feels like a good investment of time to worry about. This practice has been a great reminder that of two things: 1.      If there is something I can do about it then I don't need to worry.  - I can Take Action2.      If there is nothing, I can do about it then I don't need to worry. - Its none of my Business. 

Join The Whole Human Method Newsletter  - Expanding Minds and Careers.  Improve your Career, Relationships, Performance, Productivity, and Emotional and Mental Fitness. The Whol Human Method is a guide to Living Authentically, Transforming Personally, and Flourishing ProfessionallyEmail The Show - to suggest a guest, work With Phillip 1:1, and learn about Speaking Engagement and Master Classes.Connect with Phillip on Linkedin and Instagram“All I want to know is where I'm going to die, so I'll never go there.” Charlie Munger Charlie Munger is Warrant Buffets' business partner and is famous for sharing his message on using Inverted Thinking to make decisions. He has used this thought process to guide the success of Berkshire Hathaway to its multi Billion Dollar status.  The process of Inversion Thinking involves approaching problems from the opposite direction.It is usually easier and a smaller list to identify what we don't want in our future (relationships, careers, health, etc) and work in the opposite. By addressing problems backward we are able to uncover the hidden beliefs we operate on by muscle memory that are causing tunnel vision and only see what we want to see.  Sometimes it's not about knowing what to do but knowing what not to do that helps us be successful. 

CoPilot's Waiting List - An Ecosystem for Success. Join leaders as they build their own personal board of advisors using and use The Whole Human Method as a guide to Living Authentically, Transforming Personally, and Flourishing ProfessionallyEmail The Show - to work With Phillip 1:1, suggest a guest, and ask about Speaking Engagement and workshops.Connect with Phillip on Linkedin and InstagramThe Belief System is Like a Book of Law that Rules Our Minds – Don Miguel Ruiz In his book, The Four Agreements Don Miguel Ruiz starts off by describing to us how we form beliefs. He refers to the world we live in as a shadow world or a fog of life that the ancient Toltecs refer to as Mitote. Often referred to in yoga as Maya meaning Illusion The formation of beliefs is what he calls the Domestication of Humans. From a young age, we didn't have the opportunity to choose our own beliefsOnce we begin to question our thoughts and the origin of our beliefs, we are able to free ourselves from the fogWe begin to live as our Authentic selves and leave the Dream that was layered on by the world around We can develop a new belief system that gives us the freedom to measure up to who we want to be rather than that of the Mitote and Don Miguel Ruiz offers us Four Agreements as a path to Personal Freedom. Check out today's Episode for a summary of Agreement #1: Be Impeccable with Your Word.

CoPilot's Waiting List - Where leaders build their own personal board of advisors using The Whole Human Method as a guide to Transforming Personally and Flourishing ProfessionallyNo one person fills our gaps. Gain the shift in Mindset and Perspective to Elevate Mentally, Physically, and ProfessionallyEmail The Show - to work With Phillip 1:1, suggest a guest, and ask about Speaking Engagement and workshops.Connect with Phillip on Linkedin and Instagram“Never be a prisoner of your past. Become the architect of your future. You will never be the same.”― Robin SharmaWe don't regret or shut the door on the past. Focusing our attention on emotions like Regret is our brain's way of tricking us into believing that we are doing something to solve the problem Where focus goes energy flows so if regret is playing a tape of past events over and over again in our minds then we are programming our Reticular Activating System (RAS) to be on alert for more opportunities to practice the same past behavior in the present day. If we are reliving past events in the present day but imagining that we are doing something different with the hope that this will somehow prevent us from repeating it then we are delusional and living with resentment Hope is not a strategy and resentment is a Mindset Killer. It's responsible for the death of more dreams, joy, relationships, careers, and happiness than any other emotion. What we need is a plan to embrace our past as a teacher or “Architect” for our feature.   Taking a regular inventory of our emotions such as fear, regret and resentment is the path to Wholeness

CoPilot's Waiting List - Build Your Own Personal Board of Advisors and Navigate Your Best Self. No one Person fills our gaps. Gain the shift in Mindset and Perspective to Sore Mentally, Physically, and Professionally Email The Show - Would a Daily Morning Mindset Be Helpful?Connect with Phillip on Linkedin and InstagramWork harder on yourself than you do on your job – Jim Rohn A few years ago, when the pain of staying the same finally became bigger than the fear of change I began working on a vigorous plan of action. Those actions have helped me build a new relationship with fear, get out of my own way, change my attitude and outlook on life, unlearn old limiting beliefs, and improve my physical and mental health dramatically. In more ways than one, I became an entirely different person.   Among other things I suffered from the delusion that if I just excel professionally and look good on the outside then it didn't matter how I felt on the inside. I, unfortunately, was failing at both and had a death grip on the false idea that validation externally would fix all my problems and make me happy. I had no concept of what it would be like to be joyous, fulfilled, and happy with my everyday experience. Living a life of daily actions toward improving myself from the inside out by growing personally, mentally, physically, and spiritually changed everything.  As Jim Rohn suggests I began to work harder on myself than I did on my job. In fact, I made working on myself my job. It became and still is my priority. Once I began to do the work on myself to unlearn and un-layer myself with all of the old limiting beliefs, fears, and habits that had been weighing me down and preventing me from being my true Self As I focused my attention on growing personally, I began to grow professionally. It took work but it almost began to feel effortless. I began to do all of the things that I once thought I could never do or that would never work out.  Thought for the Week: One of the very first places I started was developing a Morning Routine. My routine has evolved over time but the starting point was committing to waking up at the same time every day. I am a 4:30 am riser but that isn't necessary. What's most important is that you give yourself the opportunity to keep a promise to yourself.    Taking the advice of Kristen Holmes of Whoop, I now wake up without an alarm but that is absolutely how I started. Pick a time, set the alarm, and wake up. If you're living what feels like the shotgun approach every morning then the rest of the day will feel just as chaotic.It's simple but not easy… I'd love to hear if it makes a difference. 

CoPilot's Waiting List - Build Your Own Personal Board of Advisors and Navigate Your Best Self. No one Person fills our gaps. Gain the shift in Mindset and Perspective to Sore Mentally, Physically, and Professionally  Email The Show - Would a Daily Morning Mindset Be Helpful? Connect on Linkedin and InstagramBelieve and You Shall Receive – Napoléon Hill Napoleon Hill introduces the Principle of Applied Faith described as a major differentiator between successfully achieving a goal and falling short.  According to Merriam, Webster Faith is defined as “to believe that (someone or something) deserves to be trusted” Simply put, this is the principle of Trusting the Process. What we believe is possible for us to attain or achieve is often what we take action towards and ultimately accomplish.If we are taking the daily actions of a successful person then each day, we are becoming a more successful person. If we are taking the actions that accumulate to successfully achieve a goal then it is reasonable for us to proceed with the Belief that we will successfully achieve our goal. Sounds Simple right? It's Simple…. but not easy…. The tricky part is that Fear often prevents us from taking the first steps We are afraid that even though we take all the right actions and are on the path to success it won't work for us.  Deep within our psyche lives old behaviors and limiting beliefs that have been programmed in us from a young age usually based on Fear. They may represent themselves and self-criticism or an undercurrent of belief that we are somehow undeserving or need to be different before good things will happen for us the way they do for others. The gnawing thought that somehow even though everyone else is able to be successful in taking the same actions but we will not or even worse… We WILL become successful and then not know what to do to maintain it…. not be enough to keep it.  How many times does an internal conversation centered around fear, self-doubt, and a belief that “it won't work for me” cause you to procrastinate in taking the first step towards achieving a goal? How many times were you planning to do something entrepreneurial, find a strategic partnership to grow your business, start working out and eating healthier, pitching a new idea at work, or pitch yourself for a promotion but instead used every means of self-justification and self-sabotage you convince yourself to not take the action?  Thankfully there is a solution. I have been on both sides of this coin and am living proof that we can change our brains. Neuroplasticity allows us to interrupt our old patterns, replace those behaviors with new ones, build new Neurol Loops and retrain our brain. Practice for the WeekHere is one simple practice to incorporate into a morning routine that shifts what we believe is possible. -        look yourself in the eyes in the mirror every morning and say that “I love and approve of myself”. Yes, it feels embarrassing and a bit ridiculous at first because if you are like me then you've never heard those words about yourself before. The more our brains hear those words, the more synapsis we build in that direction then the more we shift our core beliefs on what is possible for us.  On the other side of that discomfort of saying this phrase is the confidence that we are deserving and approved of. 

Today's episode is with Amy Gilliland, The President of GDIT.  Her message is simple …we can do Great things and we are all more resilient than we may even know. She was raised by a single mother who was in civilian service to the US Army along with her Great Grandfather who served in the Navy.  Amy reflects on the impact they both had on her from a young age to be shown an example of working hard, of service to others and the power of gratitude. After graduating from the Naval Academy Amy spent time on the Deck of a Guided Missel Destroyer ship The USS Laboon where she was taught how to preform in the face of uncertainty and how to lead others effectively when emotions are high. She was able to Travel the World to more than 40 countries experiencing diplomacy both by ship and as a Congressional Liaison for the House of Representatives. She's gained The Power Of perspective which is a complexion of all of those experiences that influence how she wants to lead. As a fellow Early Bird, she and I discuss our similar approaches to being deliberate about gaining clarity of purpose with a morning routine that includes exercise and a Gratitude practice.  She includes her kids to share in that experience to set the example of healthy practices to be the best version of our selves.   She shares that we're more than the position we hold and embraces the fact that our home life is a major part of who we are in our professional life.   Connect on LinkedIn, Youtube, Instagram

“If you are irritated by every rub, how will your mirror be polished?” ― Rumi Every time I read this; I get a little something more out of it. The first time I read it, what resonated with me was the idea that it is the “rubs” or those things which we may view at the time as pitfalls, adversity, or mistakes that are actually bringing the best in us. As we become more and more resilient and recover quickly from the inconvenience of a “rub” we are able to continuously seek those actions that are “Rubs” because they are the very experiences that allow us to be polished.   I want my mirror polished; I want it to shine. It may never be perfect but I am continuously striving for it to be the best version of a mirror that I can have. Today another thought came to me when I read it…. Why did Rumi choose a mirror? Is it because is reflects us? As we clear away the dirt, we see who we truly are?   Is the dirt all of my limiting beliefs that block me off and private a layer of “dirt” over the real me? Connect on LinkedIn, Instagram, Youtube

Tom Harker former Navy Secretary joins the DC Local Leaders Podcast. Tom shares the power of learning from our mistakes and that our perceived “failures”  ends up being our greatest lessons.  He shares his gratitude for learning this lesson early in his career and recalls a vivid memory of bringing a ship into port and making every mistake imaginable and causing damage to both his vessel and others along with the dock all while his commanding officer patiently allowed him to work through fear and anxiety and mental spiral. This ends up being the most powerful lesson of his life and that experience has been a catalyst for his continuous personal and professional growth and how he mentors others. Tom opens up about his experience with asking for help and the power of working on our Mental Health just as we would our physical health. He is dedicated to continuing to help both current and transitioned military service members who are suffering in silence to find the help they need. As he navigated multiple responsibilities from the US Coast Guard, US Department of Housing and Urban Development, Department of Veterans Affairs and eventually to the Secretary and CFO of the US Navy and he shares his insights on how to evaluate Risk and its point of diminishing return in our lives. The lessons he's learned as the Navy's CFO applies to Leadership and to Life Not only is Tom an avid surfer he is also a pretty competitive Beach Volleyball player. Connect on Linkedin, Youtube, Instagram

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What we Resist, Persist – Carl Jung When we resist change, we are clinging to old ideas and limiting beliefs. Where focus goes energy flows. Focusing on the problem makes the problem bigger. Focusing on the Solution makes the Solution bigger. Resistance can be procrastinating and listening to the voices in our heads telling us we're some version of not enough; you're not good enough, smart enough, young enough, old enough, there's not enough time, even if you achieve it …you're not enough to keep it. This negative self-talk that feeds our self-doubt is created by our limiting beliefs, fears, and our selfish opinion of how something or someone “should” be. Have you ever started “Shoulding” all over yourself? If we focus on our fears, then they get bigger in our heads. We may even rehearse different scenarios in our mind where things go poorly. It feels like watching a movie in the screen of our awareness where we are the lead character and it somehow turns into a horror film. We are effectively doing a visualization meditation on the fear and negativity that we are hoping to avoid but instead we are sending more energy and bringing more awareness to it. The Brains filter The Reticular Activating system kicks on in high alert to bring us more of what we focus on the most and unfortunately, it's the very thing we hoping to avoid. It's like procrastinating on something we know we should do. Procrastinating feels like pushing it out of our minds temporarily (Resisting) but somehow when we do it ends up being all we think about all day. (Persisting) The Secret of Change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old but building the new. – Socrates What have you been resisting? How can you make space for that feeling or change?   Where can we refocus our energy to building the new…the Solution rather than the problem? Connect on LinkedIn, YouTube, Instagram

Lieutenant General (Retired) Bruce Crawford former US Army 

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Diet is way more than the food we put in our mouth. We've all heard that we are what we eat but the idea of Nourishment includes more than just food that we put into our body. I recently went on a 72 hour fast and have since been incorporating a 36 hour fast each week. One of the many benefits of fasting is that it eliminates Toxins from the body.  In his book The Seven Day Mental Diet author Emmet Fox provides a method for going on a Mental Fast and eliminating the Toxins & negative thoughts from our Minds. We're not just what we eat.  We are a product of everything we consume in every way that we consume it. We are a result of the people we surround ourselves with, everything we watch, everything we listen to, the ideas we are exposed to and believe, the examples we follow, and the environment we spend the most time in. Everything that affects our Human senses is a part of our Diet. Is it reasonable to eat junk food nonstop and refuse to exercise and expect a healthy body?  Is it reasonable to allow junk thoughts into our minds nonstop and refuse to work on ourselves and expect a healthy Mind? We take care of what we eat and don't consume food in excess all day long, choosing healthy nourishing foods to intake, and perform regular physical exercise in a variety of forms to maintain a useful, healthy and strong body. Likewise, to maintain a resilient, positive, healthy Mindset we must make healthy choices in the diet of what we think, view, hear, and the company we keep.  As with the requirement for the consistent practice of physical exercise, maintaining a healthy mindset also requires a consistent practice of mental exercises. These exercises come in the form of things such as Gratitude Lists, I Am statements, self-reflection, affirmations, meditation, identify limiting beliefs and reframing them into positive action-based statements. I Am statements to for the week: Today I am taking actions to maintain a healthy mindset. Today I am Standing Guard at the Gates of My Mind. Today I am fasting from Negative thoughts. Connect on Linkedin, You Tube, Instagram

BG. Shane Reeves, the 15th Dean of the Academics Board at West Point joins the DC Local leaders podcast for our latest episode Shane Reeves is a Brigadier General in the U.S. Army. He is the 15th Dean of the Academic Board of the United States Military Academy at West Point, N.Y, and previously served as Professor and Head of the Department of Law. He founded and was a Co-Director of the Lieber Institute for Law and Land Warfare. While he could have practiced law anywhere but he couldn't see himself doing it anywhere else but the US Army. His law focus has no greater stakes and focuses on National security, War and War Crimes which has taught how to understand the Human Condition.   Shane is an incredible example of Humble Selfless Service and in a charismatic and funny way he's the lessons he's learned in leadership and understanding humans that we can apply in our daily lives.  Humans are Humans – people always Step Up – If We don't Lead then Who Will? Winning matters but it's not, zero sum game, humbly champion the success of others Access to Information does not mean Wisdom Red Cell Everything Dispassionate disagreement Intellectual Coddling / Intellectual Adversity – Out think our Problems. Connect on LinkedIn, Youtube, Instagram

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Dr. Marina Theodotou, EdD is an incredible example of the fact that how we start does not have to determine how we finish.  She reminds us in this episode that “we don't determine the cards we're dealt but we do have a choice in how we play them “ At a young age she was exposed to having to flee her home country of Cyprus and grow up in a foreign country in Northern Africa.  Even in her description of that event she is careful to say that just because they lost every material possession, she did not lose everything because she had her family.  That experience and hardship along with the example of her parents and older siblings is what forged a mindset resilience and gumption Her mindset of gumption allowed her the opportunity to have former Bank of America CEO Hugh McColl as a mentor, pursue a Ph.D. in an entirely different field from her former experience, and make a mid-career shift where she has the opportunity to impacts the lives of thousands of people each day. Losing a job is actually the catalyst and provided her with the freedom of newness that was the catalyst that led her to the next chapter that is even more gratifying than the one before. Follow On Linkedin, Instagram, and You Tube

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” — Will Durant's translation of Aristotle We are what we repeatedly do and we believe what we repeatedly think. “I AM” are the two most powerful words we can say to ourselves because whatever we follow that with is how we identify ourselves and expresses what we believe about ourselves. The language we use carries power. Whatever we repeatedly say will slowly become a Habit of thought and that habit will solidify a core belief within us.  It's those core beliefs that will then dictate our actions and those actions become what we repeatedly do. Our lives will be a summation of the actions we take habitually. If I'm constantly telling myself a story that is some version of: “I AM” too much of this or “I AM” not enough of that, then I am reinforcing ideas that will eventually determine the daily actions I take.   Connect on LinkedIn, Instagram, Newletter and Youtube Up to 40% of our daily lives are repeated with behaviors and activities that are in near-exact as the day before. Day after day we think the same thoughts, drive on the same roads, eat the same set of foods and do the same tasks. We slip into a what feels like a robotic trance of thoughtless habit.  Those daily actions, Repetition, routine, ritual and consistency known as our habits dictate who we are and what we become. Living a life of success and happiness is not an accident, it's a habit.  Our habits of action will dictate what we become which will then reinforce the language and beliefs we have and around we go. Our quality of life, feelings of success and our sense of wellbeing become a self-fulfilling prophesy. In order to change what we think of ourselves and what our future self becomes, were going to have to Act our way in to a better way of thinking because we simply think up better actions. To change our thoughts, we start with our actions.    The most important aspect of habit formation is getting started.  Every small act can make an enormous difference in our life so Start by doing Just one thing! Even if we don't feel like it, do it anyway. The actions lead and the belief will follow.

Jeff “Montis Man” Harris is a living example that We Can Do Hard Things ! On Dec 25, 2018 he was diagnosed with Achalasia and did not eat solid food until Dec 25, 2019.  He endured 365 days of living on protein shakes multiple surgeries, needing to sleep upright in a chair all while serving as a CEO and continuing to compete in Endurance Races. When it comes to self-discipline and a Hunger for Greatness, He's learned a few things because e's had to do a few things. He set out to be an example of how to shift our victim mindset to a warrior mindset. “Our Attitude it the most important decision we make every day” – Jeff Harris.

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Tammy Barlette is a Lieutenant Colonel with over 20 years of active duty service to our nation, who founded a speaking collective featuring female veterans (www.AthenasVoiceUSA.com). She is a fighter pilot who flew the mighty A-10 Warthog, a graduate of the prestigious US Air Force Weapons School and an experienced Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) pilot. Her professional experience is highly unique and powerfully impacted her outlook on life.  She is passionate about sharing what she's learned with the world, believing the power of positive and inspiring human connection can change people for the better. She is on a mission to help others see the power to accomplish great things is within them. Her stories of triumph and tribulation will move you to action. Athena Voice  Tammy Barlette - YouTube Connect on Linkedin, Instagram, Youtube , Newsletter  

“We suffer more from imagination than from reality.” — Seneca  How many of us spend time living in the wreckage of the future? The discomfort and uncertainty of future events can allow our imaginations to run wild and we begin to suffer in advance. Fear and uncertainty can broadcast an internal a story line across the screen of our imagination and we find ourselves living in the wreckage of the future based on the imperfections of our past. Its important to remember that if we have one foot in tomorrow and one foot in yesterday then we are ***** ing all over today. Moments of growth and are often characterized by and stepping outside of our comfort zone. Many of us associate a feeling of comfort with the known outcomes and results that that we can control. Future outcomes are among the many things that we don't have control over especially when we are doing something new and are growing outside our comfort zone.  All we really have control over at any point in time is the actions we take and the attitude we have while taking them. Rather than regretting the future that hasn't yet occurred, what we can do today is take the small incremental actions that are within our power to help us achieve the future we'd like to create. Being present means focusing on the required work of today. Trust the Process Focusing on our daily habits and celebrate the small victories we make along the way of getting to our end goal. Reinforcing the small victories and keeping small promises to ourselves to take the required actions keep us free from being distracted by fear and uncertainty. Connect on LinkedIn, Instagram, Newsletter, YouTube

Omar Dennis, Former US Marine and now CEO & President of SEDULOUS shares his message of Leadership and Self Awareness with the us in our latest episode.  He shares about growing up in Baltimore in the 70 and early 80's and how his perception of what he thought was possible for himself has completely changed through he course of his life due to his experience with becoming a US Marine where he was shown the value of Self Awareness, Self-Discipline, Integrity and Work Ethic After experiencing a traumatic accident early in his Military career Omar quickly learned the value of leaning into fear, continuous Self Inspection, overcoming challenges and living a life of continuous improvement. As a student of stoicism, he uses his opportunity as the Leader of SEDULOUS to continue to improve the lives of those around him by creating an alliance based culture that prioritizes, self-reflection, emotional intelligence and service to others. Connect on LinkedIn , Instagram, NewsLetter and Youtube 

Scott is an accomplished, combat-tested leader and highly decorated fighter pilot who has successfully commanded at multiple levels in the United States Air Force including serving as an installation commander for a 10,000 acre base with over 11,000 Airmen, civilians and contractors, 34 mission partners and $50 billion.  Scott was both a graduate and instructor at the prestigious Air Force Weapons School (TOP GUN),  Scott continues to be of service as a sponsor for USAF Academy Cadets and as an Executive Coach at Victory Strategies Connect on Linkedin, Instagram, Newsletter & YouTube  Supported by:  Leashes of Valor - One Leash Saves Two Lives PenFed Credit Union - They've Got Great Rates For Everyone!

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Shannon Huffman Polson is the author of The Grit Factor: Courage, Resilience and Leadership in the Most Male Dominated Organization in the World, and the founder of The Grit Institute, a leadership institute committed to whole leader development and a focus on grit and resilience. As one of the first women to fly the Apache helicopter in the U.S. Army, leading line units on three continents, Polson combines her passion and firsthand experience in and study of leadership and grit to deliver world-class keynotes and training to companies and organizations on leadership and grit.   After serving for a decade in the armed services, Polson earned her MBA at the Tuck School at Dartmouth. She went on to lead outstanding teams in the corporate world at Guidant Corporation (later Boston Scientific) and Microsoft Corporation. Connect On LinkedIn, Instagram, You Tube, NewsLetter Supported by Leashes of Valor 

Trust the Process |Let go of the Outcomes Holding on to our perceived outcomes causes us to judge ourselves on the amount of current progress.  We can become self-critical and begin “shoulding” all over ourselves with the belief that we “should” be further along towards a goal.  What if we are EXACTLY where we are supposed be at all times? Remember that an extra firm grip often results in rope burn not more progress. What if we let go of what we think success is supposed to look like and focus on the process instead? Maybe we are selling ourselves short based on a limited perception and something even greater is in store. How willing are we to stay consistent with our actions and believe that we will be guided, corrected and redirected along the path? How willing are we to continue taking the actions without concern for the results? Connect on Linkedin, Instagram, You Tube, and Newsletter

Fran Racioppi is the Host the Creator and Host of The Jedburgh Podcast, Chief People Officer of Analytix Solutions, Former Army Ranger, and College Athlete Fran talks about human performance and just how much further we all have to give when we emotionally and, mentally think we are about to fail. He shares his Gratitude, and appreciation for Comradery that his experience as US Army Ranger provided him. He continued to be of service by sharing the message of Leadership and Perspective that he has gained from traveling the world and conducting missions.   His transition out of the army wasn't easy on him professionally or personally but Fran shares an honest account of some of the challenges he faced and the help he was able to find in resources like Get Headstrong to help him reconnect with himself and his family. Connect on Linkedin, Instagram, You Tube, & Newsletter Support: Leashes of Valor The Jedburgh Podcast

How often do we fall into the mindset of the production team of Radio station WIFM “what's in it for me”?  How Can I  treat every person I meet and every new interaction I have as a gift and an opportunity to be of Service?  Connect on LinkedIn , Instagram , Newsletter