TJ Sweet- Living The Sweet Life

Happy Mindset Monday!Dr. Mamta Bhatt changed how I think about joy.She was a Harvard-trained scientist living the high-flying life. Private planes. Boardrooms with Rockefellers. The youngest person in the room.Then one day, she couldn't get up from bed. That's how debilitating the fatigue became.She went to live in a monastery. And one morning, she saw a sunrise. Inside her, a voice yearned: "What would it be to be happy?"She was looking at the sunrise. She had a smile on her face.And a voice inside her said: "But you are happy."She said: "I can have joy and I can still have a body that's not well. I didn't know to hold the two together."From that moment, she chose joy.Within 90 days, she healed herself with food as medicine.In this episode:The hidden cost of high achievementThe moment she couldn't get upLiving in a monasteryThe crushing of identity"I am a ball of massive golden light - just energy"The sunrise moment: choosing joyFood is medicine"I had a long list of accomplishments but I abandoned myself in the process"Learning to love yourselfWriting 10 things you're grateful for every dayBreath workPurpose beyond yourself

Happy Mindset Monday!Kim Becking changed my life.She talks about the so muchness. That overwhelmed, exhausted, can't catch your breath feeling. The 247 world we're in where our bodies and brains aren't made for it.And you are allowed. Permission to feel both sides. Frustrated and grateful. Overwhelmed and hopeful. Scared and excited.Kim was diagnosed with breast cancer at 30. Her friend Patty gave her a handwritten note. Patty died at 29. That note has been passed out to over 800,000 people.In this episode:The so muchnessYou are allowed (both sides)Sustainable resilience vs powering throughGrace with gritMomentum micro movesNaming your inner criticPre-recovery and post-recoveryCelebrating attemptsThe yet effectResigning as general manager of the universe

Happy Mindset Monday!This conversation changed how I think about my body. This conversation is about Conscious Wellness™️The Dance between Scientific Medicine & Spiritual Medicine™️Lea Llovio is known as the "doc whisperer." She's a conscious wellness thought leader who helps high achievers identify the thought patterns that drain energy and delay healing.She said: "Your cells are listening to you. And if your cells hear you feeling guilty or ashamed, they go into panic mode and cannot do their healing work."That stopped me.Lea teaches what she calls conscious wellness. The dance between scientific medicine and spiritual medicine.We talked about how everything that happens to you started with a thought.Thought → Emotion → Action → Result.About radical self-acceptance. Not self-love yet. Because many people have never experienced love.About talking to yourself the way you would your most precious child.About guilt affecting high achievers. About the body as a sacred vessel that deserves reverence.About you can't be angry and thankful at the same time.

Happy Mindset Monday!This conversation is raw.Jonathan Berryhill grew up in a mobile home with holes in the floor. On his own at 15. Now he's a multi-business owner with three real estate brokerages, government contracting, healthcare, and a farm with quarter horses.But he didn't skip the middle part.The part where he became unfaithful to his wife. Multiple times. Where he was drifting. Where he called her from Hawaii and said: "If you'll have me back, I'm going to give you an amazing life."That became his why.This conversation is about owning what you've done. Forgiving yourself. Creating a new identity. And building the life you said you were going to build.Jonathan said: "Discipline outweighs motivation 10 to one."

Happy Mindset Monday!This conversation stopped me.Jamie Lerner said: "If it's a negative thought, it's not your inner voice."Jamie helps people reframe what they're feeling, reconnect with themselves, and shift out of the stories that keep them stuck.We talked about the stories we tell ourselves. The stories we inherited from childhood that we're still reciting. Stories that aren't even true anymore.Jamie said: "We update our phones. We update everything. But we don't update our story."We talked about looking inward instead of seeking external validation. Doing the inner work privately. Giving yourself what you want others to give you.The difference between needing people and desiring people.Why judgment is a sign you're disconnected from yourself.

Happy Mindset Monday!Melanie Curtis is a professional skydiver with 12,000+ skydives and 30+ years in the sport. She's a world record holder. One of 80 women jumping out of five aircraft, going upside down at 200 mph.But this episode isn't about skydiving.It's about what Melanie learned in the most intense environment imaginable and how she helps people access the far reaches of their human potential.We talk about Type 2 fun: stuff that's fun only after it's over. Hard things. Climbing mountains. Writing books. Deep healing work.We talk about the fear of humiliation. Being willing to look stupid. Earning confidence through doing scary things.We talk about healing versus self-care. Support systems. Ambition as a dirty word when it shouldn't be.Melanie said: "We cannot access the far reaches of our human experience without going down and to the left. If we go there, we can go so much further because we don't know what's actually weighing us down."

Happy Mindset Monday!Jack Wagoner is 19 years old. At 17, he was standing in front of a mirror in France, completely burned out after achieving everything he set out to do. And he still didn't have enough.That's when he realized: He'd sacrificed the thing he wanted for the thing that was supposed to get it.Jack moved to France alone at 16 for his junior year. No baseball (which was his life). No family. No friends. Not even English.By 17, he'd learned French fluently, built a business managing four employees, and achieved thing after thing.And he was exhausted. Burned out. Still feeling like it wasn't enough.This conversation is about the duality of gratitude and ambition. How to stop attaching your self-worth to your goals. How to stand on happiness while you build instead of chasing it.

Happy Mindset Monday!This is part 2 of my conversation with Bryon Sweno.And this one goes deeper.I share what it's been like moving back to St. Louis after 24 years and learning how to be a son, a brother, and an uncle again. Bryon shares the story of being replaced on his high school relay team hundredths of a second away from breaking the school record. That moment shaped his work ethic for life.We talk about coaches who taught us lessons we didn't know we needed. We talk about the difference between wanting something and wanting to do the work to become the person who has it.The core message:Study yourself more than you study others.Know who you are. Know what you're willing to sacrifice. Know what you're not willing to sacrifice. Then live accordingly.

Happy Mindset Monday!This one's different.This is Brian Sweno. He produces this podcast every week. He's seen the full journey.We talk about what it actually looks like to go full-time with the thing you love. The real version. Not the highlight reel.I share what the first 90 days of leaving healthcare leadership have been like. Brian shares his mom getting fired from Walmart after 30 years when she got cancer. We talk about cashing in change to feed your kids, shooting MMA fights cageside, and doing what you love whether you get paid or not.This is about the shift from helping someone else accomplish their dreams to finally pursuing your own.We talk about work-life balance (spoiler: there isn't one when you are the business). We talk about being replaceable at your job but irreplaceable to your family. We talk about self-reflection, identity, and knowing who you really are.

Happy Mindset Monday!Your insecurities aren't the problem.Hiding them is.In this powerful conversation, I sit down with Tyler Dickerhoof, leadership mentor, founder of the Impact Driven Leader, and author of "The Things We Hide."Tyler introduces the Four Walls framework: inactivity, insensitivity, isolation, and intensity. These are the barriers we build when our insecurities get triggered. The goal isn't to remove your insecurities or tear down your walls. It's to put windows in them.Tyler shares the story of losing his brother Joel in a farming accident when he was 14, and how 25 years later he discovered that tragedy shaped the way he handled everything: with intensity. Head down, push through, leave carnage in relationships.This conversation gets vulnerable. Tyler opened up, and honestly, it broke me open too. I realized I've been hiding behind being "the expert" instead of letting people actually see me.

Happy Mindset Monday!Success is powerful… but it's not always peaceful.In this solo episode of Living The Sweet Life, I talk about the side of success most people don't mention—the pressure, the identity shifts, the relationship changes, and the emotional weight that can come with “making it.”This episode is for anyone chasing big goals who also wants to stay grounded, grateful, and connected to what matters most.

Happy Mindset Monday!Pressure doesn't change you.It reveals you.In this solo episode of Living The Sweet Life, I unpack what pressure exposes—your habits, your identity, your self-talk, and what you truly believe when the stakes are high.Most people try to escape pressure. But pressure is information. When you learn how to interpret it, you can turn pressure into clarity instead of anxiety.

Happy Mindset Monday!The hardest part of growth isn't starting.It's staying committed to the new version of you when the old version feels safer.In this solo episode of Living The Sweet Life, TJ Sweet explores the identity shift that happens when you outgrow old habits, old patterns, and old ways of living—and why the “new you” might not be new at all.It might be the real you finally showing up.

Happy Mindset Monday!Your feelings are real. They matter.But they aren't always reliable.In this solo episode of Living The Sweet Life, TJ Sweet shares a powerful perspective on emotional self-leadership—how to honor your emotions without allowing them to control your actions, decisions, and relationships.This episode is for anyone who feels like moods, stress, anxiety, or frustration keep hijacking progress.

Happy Mindset Monday!Some moments wake you up.In this solo Mindset Monday episode of Living The Sweet Life, I share a personal story about a moment I shouldn't have survived—and how that experience reshaped his gratitude, purpose, and the way I live.This isn't just a story. It's an invitation to stop waiting.

Happy Mindset Monday!Overthinking feels like you're being responsible.But most of the time, it's fear keeping you stuck.In this solo episode of Living The Sweet Life, TJ Sweet breaks down why overthinking isn't preparation, it's protection. It's the mind's way of avoiding risk, judgment, and uncertainty.This episode is for anyone who feels mentally exhausted from replaying decisions, second-guessing themselves, or waiting for the “right” moment to move.

Loneliness has changed.Not because humans have changed—but because the way we connect has changed.In this solo episode of Living The Sweet Life, TJ Sweet explores why loneliness feels different today than it used to—why you can be “connected” 24/7 and still feel unseen, unknown, and emotionally alone.This is an honest conversation about modern isolation, emotional safety, and what it takes to build real connection again—starting with the relationship you have with yourself.

Burnout isn't always a workload problem.Sometimes it's an alignment problem.In this solo episode of Living The Sweet Life, I share my perspective on the real reasons burnout happens—especially for people who care deeply, lead others, and carry a lot behind the scenes.This isn't just about rest. It's about what you've been ignoring, tolerating, or trying to prove.

Mindset Monday podcast is live!If you've been quitting on yourself lately, I want you to hear this: you're not broken. You're learning.In this solo episode of Living The Sweet Life, I break down why so many of us start strong and then fade — why we stop following through, even on the things we say matter most.This isn't a “try harder” episode.It's a self-trust episode.

Happy Mindset Monday!If your New Year habits don't stick, it doesn't mean you failed.It means the approach needs to change.In this solo episode of Living The Sweet Life, I break down why most habits fall apart after the initial motivation fades—and what actually helps habits last.This episode isn't about pushing harder. It's about building habits that align with who you are and how you live.

Happy Mindset Monday!Feeling stuck doesn't mean you've failed.It means you're in a moment that's asking for honesty, patience, and intention.In this solo episode of Living The Sweet Life, I share my perspective on what it really means to feel stuck — and what to do when motivation is low, clarity is missing, and pressure is high.This episode is for anyone who feels overwhelmed, uncertain, or tired of pretending they're okay.

Happy Mindset Monday!Comparison is quiet — but it's powerful. And if left unchecked, it can convince you that you're falling behind even when you're growing.In this solo episode of Living The Sweet Life, I unpack why comparison drains confidence, steals joy, and disconnects us from our own progress — and how gratitude and intention help bring us back to ourselves.

Happy Mindset Monday!Complaining feels natural.Gratitude feels intentional.In this solo episode of Living The Sweet Life, I explore why complaining is emotionally comfortable — and why gratitude, while harder, is the path to real growth, leadership, and fulfillment.This episode isn't about pretending things are fine. It's about recognizing where we give away our power — and how gratitude helps us take it back.

Happy Mindset Monday!Successful people don't magically wake up disciplined.They wake up deciding who they're going to be today.In this Mindset Monday episode, I break down the real reason high performers protect their mornings — not for productivity, but for presence, clarity, and alignment.

If you're tired of starting over, you're not alone — but you may be relying on the wrong thing.Motivation feels good, but it's temporary.Discipline is what carries you when motivation disappears.In this solo episode of Living The Sweet Life, I dive into the mindset shift that changes everything:Stop chasing motivation. Start becoming the person who follows through.

Happy Mindset Monday!Perfection is stopping too many people from living the life they want.Not because they don't have the talent — but because they're waiting for the perfect moment that never comes.In this solo episode, I break down why imperfect action is the key to momentum, clarity, and confidence.

Happy Mindset MondayThis one's personal.In this solo episode, I open up about a struggle that's been part of my journey — learning to stop pretending everything's okay and to start embracing what's real.Too often, we push down emotions, hide behind “I'm fine,” and carry the weight alone. But the truth is, strength isn't found in perfection — it's found in honesty, reflection, and grace.

Happy Mindset Monday!Starting over doesn't mean you've failed — it means you've chosen growth over comfort.In this solo episode, I open up about the hardest and most freeing decision of my life: leaving a stable career at 42 to follow my purpose. I talk about the fears, the lessons, and the surprising peace that comes from choosing alignment over approval.

Happy Mindset Monday!Confidence isn't built in the easy moments — it's built in the hard ones.In part 2 of our conversation, Dr. Kasi Lacey and I dig into the hidden ways self-rejection blocks growth and how self-acceptance becomes the foundation for unshakable confidence. We talk about showing up for yourself with grace, rebuilding self-trust, and why leading with empathy — for yourself and others — changes everything.

Happy Mindset Monday!Confidence isn't about being fearless—it's about showing up even when you're scared.In this week's Living The Sweet Life, I sat down with Dr. Kasi Lacey to talk about the truth behind confidence and why so many people misunderstand what it really means. Confidence doesn't come from perfection—it's built through self-awareness, courage, and small consistent actions.

What happens when your growth makes others uncomfortable?This week on Living The Sweet Life, I sat down with Bryon Sweno to have a real conversation about the part of success no one prepares you for — how it can change your friendships, your community, and even how people see you.

Success isn't always what it seems. Behind every achievement is a story of setbacks, lessons, and growth that most people never see.In this week's episode of Living The Sweet Life, I sat down with Bryon Sweno to talk about the truth behind success — the mental, emotional, and personal battles that come with striving for more.

Happy Mindset Monday!True leadership isn't about climbing the ladder—it's about lifting others as you climb.In Part 2 of my conversation with Shari Riley, Chief Compliance Officer at Centene/WellCare, we talk about the kind of leadership that transforms organizations from the inside out. Shari shares how empowering others, listening with empathy, and leading through gratitude create teams that perform with purpose and trust.

Leadership isn't about being the smartest person in the room—it's about creating spaces where everyone can grow, contribute, and thrive.This week on Living The Sweet Life, I sat down with Shari Riley, Chief Compliance Officer for Centene/WellCare, to talk about what authentic leadership really looks like. Shari opened up about her journey to the C-suite, the lessons she's learned about resilience, and why humility and curiosity are non-negotiables for anyone who wants to lead well.

Happy Mindset Monday!!Sometimes the best lessons in life don't come from winning—they come from what we learn when things don't go the way we planned.In Part 2 of my conversation with Jaclyn Fortier, we talk about what it really means to embrace setbacks as opportunities for growth. This isn't about chasing perfection—it's about leaning into the process, learning from the challenges, and discovering gratitude in the middle of it all.

Happy Mindset Monday!When negativity shows up, most of us think the answer is to “just stay positive.” But what if that isn't the whole truth?This week on Living The Sweet Life, I sat down with Jaclyn Fortier from North Carolina to unpack what really works when you're facing negativity, stress, or doubt. Jaclyn's perspective is refreshingly real—because sometimes life isn't about “looking on the bright side,” it's about finding intentional ways to reframe, process, and move forward.

Happy Mindset Monday!!Success isn't a straight line—it's full of challenges, setbacks, and breakthroughs.In this week's Living The Sweet Life, I sit down with Terrell Chestnut—former West Virginia University and NFL athlete—to talk about the ups and downs of chasing success and what it really takes to keep going when life doesn't go as planned.Terrell shares powerful lessons from his journey through football, injuries, and life after the game. His perspective is raw, honest, and inspiring for anyone navigating their own path to success.

Happy Mindset Monday!!What does it really take to unlock your full potential—in life, leadership, and performance?In this week's Living The Sweet Life, I sit down with Tiffeny Parker, Team USA athlete and executive coach, to explore the lessons that competition at the highest level teaches us about resilience, discipline, and growth.Tiffeny's story goes beyond athletics—it's about bringing the same clarity and courage into the boardroom, the workplace, and everyday life. Together, we talk about what it means to embrace pressure, lead with presence, and unlock human potential.

Happy Mindset Monday!!What does it take to reach your full potential—not just as a performer, but as a human being?This week on Living The Sweet Life, I sit down with Tiffeny Parker—Team USA athlete, elite athlete, and mindset coach—for a powerful conversation about resilience, mindset, and elevating human potential.Tiffeny's journey is more than sports—it's about breaking barriers, overcoming setbacks, and redefining what it means to live with intention. Together, we explore how gratitude, discipline, and clarity can help us unlock the next level of growth in every area of life.

Happy Mindset Monday!When we feel pressure, it's easy to see it as stress, anxiety, or a burden. But what if pressure is actually proof that you're doing something that matters?In this week's Mindset Monday episode of Living The Sweet Life, Bryon Sweno and I dive into the idea that “Pressure Is a Privilege.” Together, we unpack how to shift your mindset from fear and avoidance to gratitude and growth when the weight of expectation shows up.

Happy Mindset Monday!Most people spend years chasing goals they think they should want—without ever asking themselves the real question: What do I REALLY want?In this week's Mindset Monday episode of Living The Sweet Life, Bryon Sweno and I have an honest, eye-opening conversation about how to cut through the noise, strip away the expectations, and get crystal clear on your true desires.What you'll learn in this episode:

Happy Mindset Monday!What if one question could transform the way you connect—with yourself, your work, and the people you care about?In this episode of Living The Sweet Life, I sit down with my friend and gratitude pioneer Chris Schembra, the founder of the 7:47 Gratitude Experience. Chris's journey—from producing Broadway shows in Italy to helping thousands of leaders and communities strengthen relationships through meaningful questions—is a powerful reminder that success without connection can still feel empty.We talk about what it means to lead with presence instead of perfection, and why gratitude is less about feeling good and more about being honest and real.

Happy Mindset Monday!!What if your life looks successful—but doesn't feel fulfilling?In this powerful episode of Living The Sweet Life, I sit down with gratitude expert and bestselling author Chris Schembra, whose personal story reminds us that authentic connection, purpose, and presence matter more than appearances.From his days as a Broadway producer in Rome to founding the internationally acclaimed 7:47 Gratitude Experience, Chris shares the raw truth behind his pivot from burnout and disconnection to building a life rooted in meaning, relationships, and service.

Happy Mindset Monday!In Part 2 of my powerful conversation with educator and leader Alicia Auman, we dive even deeper into the emotional experience of imposter syndrome, and what it really means to lead, grow, and show up when your confidence is still catching up.This episode is for anyone who's ever asked themselves: "Am I really enough?"The answer? Yes—but sometimes we have to act with courage before we feel fully ready.

Happy Mindset Monday!What if the self-doubt you feel is actually a sign of your growth?In this week's Living The Sweet Life, I'm joined by educator and leader Alicia Auman for an honest conversation about something so many high performers silently battle—imposter syndrome.Whether you're stepping into a new role, chasing a big goal, or simply trying to own your worth—this episode is for you.

Happy Mindset Monday!Ever have one of those days where you wake up frustrated, low energy, or just in a funk—and you can't even explain why?Yeah… me too.In this Mindset Monday episode of Living The Sweet Life, I'm breaking down what to do when your mood takes a hit for no obvious reason—and how to avoid letting an off day sabotage your mindset, your confidence, or your momentum.Because here's the truth: You can't always control your mood, but you can control your response.

In this Mindset Monday episode of Living The Sweet Life, I sit down with Bryon Sweno to talk about something most of us avoid—stillness.Slowing down sounds simple—but it brings discomfort, reflection, and sometimes, the stuff we've been avoiding. But on the other side of stillness? That's where growth happens.In this conversation, we explore:✅ Why being still feels so hard in a busy world✅ How slowing down actually fuels clarity and confidence✅ Practical ways to embrace stillness without fear✅ The connection between reflection, mindset, and resilienceIf you've been running on autopilot, stuck in being busy, or resisting quiet moments—this episode is your sign to slow down, tune in, and grow.#LivingTheSweetLife #TJSweet #MindsetMonday #PersonalGrowth #Resilience #Stillness #SelfAwareness #BryonSweno #EmotionalWellbeing

Happy Mindset Monday!What would change in your life if your actions finally aligned with your words?In this episode of Living The Sweet Life, I sit down with Bryon Sweno to break down one of the most important truths I've learned as a coach, leader, and human being: Real confidence is built when you become the person you say you are.It's not about being perfect—it's about being consistent. It's about closing the gap between your potential and your daily choices.In this episode, I'll help you:✅ Identify where your actions and values feel misaligned✅ Understand why self-trust and confidence start with small, daily decisions✅ Recognize how alignment transforms leadership, relationships, and mindset✅ Take practical steps to start living in alignment todayMindset Shift: You don't need permission to grow into the version of yourself you've always believed you could be. It starts with how you show up right now.

One Hard Conversation Away: Growth Through Courageous DialogueFeaturing Bryon Sweno | Living The Sweet Life with TJ SweetEPISODE DESCRIPTION:What if the breakthrough you've been waiting for is one honest, hard conversation away?In this week's Mindset Monday episode of Living The Sweet Life, I sit down with guest Bryon Sweno to explore how leaning into uncomfortable conversations can unlock personal growth, deeper relationships, and real clarity. Whether it's in your workplace, marriage, or self-talk, avoiding what needs to be said only keeps you stuck.Bryon brings raw stories, hard-earned wisdom, and practical strategies for facing the tough stuff with grace, empathy, and purpose.

Happy Mindset Monday!In this episode of Living The Sweet Life, I sit down with Bryon Sweno to talk about what it really takes to overcome fear, build confidence, and push through adversity.We dive deep into the mindset required to face hard things—from starting something new to battling depression, doubt, or the feeling of being stuck.One powerful reminder:“Hope is not a strategy.”Wishing for change isn't enough—action is. And often, doing the hard thing is exactly what unlocks growth, clarity, and fulfillment.

Happy Mindset Monday!