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Time Tested Mastery
Time Tested Mastery
Author: Mark Dolan
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© 2024
Description
Host Mark Dolan explores the principles of personal development and sales, drawing from his journey in real estate and life. This podcast is for those who are hungry for success—teachable warriors eager to push through adversity and learn valuable skills, techniques, and philosophies that fuel growth. It's for students of life who are committed to continuously evolving. Season 1 covers a wide range of topics on sales skills, personal philosophy, and actionable strategies for mastering success including interviews with Top Performers. Season 2 kicks off February 25th and promises more depth in sales skills as well as inspiring interviews with top performers sharing how they apply time-tested principles to achieve monumental success. Join Mark and his guests as they offer insights, practical advice, and motivational stories that will guide you on your path to personal and professional mastery.
55 Episodes
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In this final episode of the year, I share the fifth and final insight ChatGPT challenged me to talk about more: my commitment to lifelong learning and mastery—even after 40 years in business. I unpack why the most dangerous thing a veteran can do is coast on past wins, and why growth isn’t optional if you want to stay relevant: competition improves, customer expectations evolve, and technology changes the game.
I also share a Jim Rohn story about what it means to keep working your craft, plus lessons from my mentor Tim Wood on experimenting, adjusting, and continuing forward—even when your path isn’t a straight line. If you’ve hit a plateau, felt complacent, or wondered if it’s “too late” to reinvent yourself, this episode is your reminder: it’s not.
In this episode:
Why “not improving” quietly becomes falling behind
The power of compounded effort over decades
How to experiment your way into the next level
Real-world reminders that growth can start late (and still win big)
If this helps you, share it with someone who needs a reset going into the new year.
In this episode of Time Tested Mastery, Mark pulls back the curtain on the real driver behind his work ethic: family, safety, and legacy—not just money. He shares the story of Andrew Carnegie’s life mission, a painful early-career negotiation that exposed his own financial vulnerability, and how growing up without financial security shaped his obsession with freedom and provision. You’ll learn why a stack of cash on a desk means nothing—and why what that money represents is what actually gets you out of bed without an alarm. Mark will challenge you to define the “why” that’s bigger than income, big enough to make you pick up the phone, learn new skills, and keep fighting for the life and legacy you want. This conversation aligns with the Time Tested Mastery belief that real success is built on purpose-driven action, not gimmicks.
Full Quote:
Here is a prompt I just gave Chat GPT… Based on everything you know about me what should people know about me that I rarely talk about?That’s a great self-reflective question. Here’s what stands out from everything I’ve learned about you—things that are powerful, but you don’t put front and center often:
1. You’ve rebuilt yourself more than once.Most people know you as the veteran broker, mentor, or podcaster—but you rarely highlight that you’ve had to start over in different seasons of life. From overcoming addiction, to navigating business shifts, to rebuilding after setbacks—you’re not just experienced, you’re battle-tested. That resilience is part of your DNA and gives credibility to everything you teach.
2. You lead with faith, even when it’s not fashionable.You’ve made it clear that your values come from timeless, Catholic-rooted principles—integrity, dignity, stewardship—but you tend to downplay how much faith has carried you through adversity. For many people, hearing that your success isn’t just hustle, but also humility and surrender, would deepen trust in your message.
3. Your heart for underdogs.You don’t just want to coach high-achievers—you want to reach people who didn’t have the roadmap, who grew up without mentors, support, or guidance. That empathy is rooted in your own story. You’ve walked the road of struggle, and that makes you uniquely equipped to walk alongside those who feel behind.
4. Your family and legacy matter more than the spotlight.You’ve built companies, sold real estate, stood on stages—but behind it all, you’re a husband, father, and grandfather. You don’t often highlight how deeply your drive for mastery is connected to providing, protecting, and leaving a legacy. That “why” is what gives weight to your words.
5. You’re a lifelong student—still sharpening the blade.You often mention your mentors, but you don’t always showcase how disciplined you are about continuing to learn, read, study, and push yourself even after 40 years in the business. That sets you apart from most veterans who coast on past wins. You’re proof that mastery is never finished.
Put simply: You’re not just a broker who became a coach—you’re someone who rebuilt, grounded yourself in timeless truth, and now shows ordinary people how to do extraordinary things.
n this deeply personal episode of Time Tested Mastery – Life Lesson Sell, Mark shares how even ChatGPT called out his true mission: a heart for underdogs. Not the already-polished high achievers—but the people who never got the roadmap, who grew up without mentors, support, or guidance.
Mark opens up about feeling like he never quite fit in, battling learned helplessness, and even confronting his own codependency in wanting success for others more than they wanted it for themselves. He breaks down why fear is an illusion, why your mental pictures matter, and how mentors and time-tested principles can turn struggle into strength.
If you’ve ever felt behind, out of place, or convinced that success is for “other people,” this conversation is for you. You’ll walk away with a simple but non-negotiable truth: nothing can stop you except your mind—and you can change your mind, your habits, and your future.
In this second episode of the 5-part Time Tested Mastery: Life Lessons Sell series, Mark Dolan pulls back the curtain on a part of his story most people never see: how faith, surrender, and God’s power have shaped his life, career, and long-term success in real estate and sales.
Building on a ChatGPT reflection exercise (full quote in the show notes), Mark unpacks the line:
“You lead with faith, even when it’s not fashionable.”
If you’ve ever thought, “I just don’t have enough strength, intelligence, or talent to win at this level,” this episode is for you. Mark shares how he went from learned helplessness and self-doubt to a life of progress by combining personal development, disciplined work, and a power greater than himself.
He talks candidly about:
Overcoming addiction and the moment he realized he couldn’t win on his own
Facing a cancer diagnosis at 48 and how it deepened, not weakened, his faith
Moving from using God as a “panic button” to walking with Him daily
Mark also challenges the way we talk about goal setting in business. Big, audacious goals are useful—but they can also become a ceiling. He explains why God doesn’t have limits on what’s possible for your life, your business, or your impact.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why faith is a quiet engine behind real, lasting success
The true meaning of surrender (and why it’s not quitting, it’s joining the winning side)
How to think about goals, calling, and God’s plan in your business
Why seemingly ordinary people can do extraordinary things when they’re connected to a higher power
If you’re a real estate agent, salesperson, or entrepreneur who feels like your own strength isn’t enough, this episode will help you see that you’re not supposed to do it alone.
If this resonates with you, subscribe, share it with a friend who’s in a battle right now, and let Mark know in the comments how faith has played a role in your journey.
In this episode of Time Tested Mastery: Life Lessons Sell, Mark Dolan pulls back the curtain on a piece of his story he doesn’t often talk about: what it really means to be battle-tested in life and in business.
Drawing from decades of rebuilding after addiction, childhood trauma, business setbacks, and market shifts, Mark breaks down why adversity isn’t a detour from your success—it’s the path to it. Using insights pulled from an AI exercise about his own life, plus wisdom from Scott Peck’s The Road Less Traveled and mentor Jim Rohn, Mark shows you how to stop wishing things were easier and start becoming stronger.
If you’re in real estate or sales and feel like you’re pushing through “hard soil” right now—rejection, changing markets, personal struggles—this episode will help you reframe the fight and embrace the battle in front of you.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why everyone faces adversity—and why comparing stories doesn’t help.
How to turn setbacks, rejection, and challenges into an actual competitive advantage.
The mindset shift that makes difficulty stop feeling like a punishment and start feeling like progress.
Why in sales, you are the product—and why that means you must rebuild yourself every year.
The daily question to ask when you don’t like where you are.
Listen in if you’re ready to stop wishing for less problems and start building more skills, more resilience, and more courage for the next battle in your career.
At the MIT Museum in Boston, Mark Dolan delivers his Blu Talks keynote: “Blinded by the Obvious.”
A foggy 2 a.m. commute, two deer, and one kind supervisor (“Have you considered slowing down?”) reveal three time-tested principles that rebuilt Mark’s life, leadership, and career:
1️⃣ Solutions are simple (not easy). 2️⃣ Seek experienced, kind advisors. 3️⃣ Be willing to change your behavior and thinking.
Mark ties a near-disaster on the highway to overcoming addiction, embracing mentorship, and building a purpose-driven career—proving that when you slow down, you finally see what’s been right in front of you all along.
Who This Is For
Professionals in sales, real estate, and leadership who are ready to trade excuses for self-mastery—and anyone seeking growth through humility, guidance, and action.
Key Takeaways
“Slow down to speed up” — the mindset that prevents repeated mistakes
How to spot when your own thinking is the problem
Why mentors shorten the path from struggle to progress
How simple truths, applied consistently, create real change
From survival to service: the habits that last a lifetime
About Mark Dolan
Mark Dolan is the founder of Time Tested Mastery—a mentor, speaker, and real estate leader with 40+ years of hands-on experience. He teaches timeless principles that outlast tactics and help ordinary people live extraordinary lives.
Learn more at www.TimeTestedMastery.com
Chapters
00:00 Cold open — “Two deer in two weeks” 01:21 Welcome to Blu Talks (Boston) 01:46 “Blinded by the Obvious” — the core message 03:04 The Big Bear commute & the fog 04:57 Impact #1 — ignoring the obvious 06:25 Impact #2 — the thousand-dollar lesson 06:43 Leo’s advice: “Have you considered slowing down?” 07:22 The three principles (simple, advisors, change) 08:17 From trauma to truth: choosing willingness 08:46 Sobriety and the 12-step solution 09:52 From problems to purpose — meeting mentor Tim Wood 10:37 Personal development that compounds 11:07 Call to action: slow down, learn, and lead
Best Quotes
“The solution to your problems is surprisingly simple.” “Have you considered slowing down?” “Don’t ask what’s wrong with the world—ask what you’re willing to change.”
Call to Action
If this message resonates, like, subscribe, and share with someone who’s ready to stop running past the obvious. For coaching, keynotes, and Time Tested Mastery workshops, visit TimeTestedMastery.com.
At the MIT Museum in Cambridge, Mark Dolan lays out a blunt truth: the highest ROI in your career comes from the hours you’re unpaid but not uncompensated. In this BLU Talks session, Mark shares time-tested principles that took him from shaky knees at Toastmasters to a 40-year career in real estate, leadership, and coaching—without gimmicks or hype. You’ll learn why mastering scripts liberates you to truly listen, how serving your industry compounds into influence and income, and the one question that reframes work, marriage, and mastery: “What am I becoming here?”
Listen if you’re building a durable career in sales, real estate, or entrepreneurship and want practical habits that compound for decades.
What You’ll Learn
The “unpaid hours” that pay forever: practice, service, and stage time
How scripted mastery frees you to listen, probe, and close with integrity
Why board/association service quietly builds skills, mentors, and deal flow
How Toastmasters turns fear into clarity, presence, and persuasion
The Jim Rohn filter for growth: work harder on yourself than on your job
A better question than “What am I getting?” → “What am I becoming?”
Timestamps
00:00 The freedom that comes from knowing what to say 01:00 Setting: MIT Museum & the real message 02:15 The four-letter word that wins: WORK 04:00 “Unpaid but not uncompensated” — the core idea 05:10 Example #1: Script practice and the 10,000-hour path 07:00 Example #2: Industry service, meetings, and real leadership 08:40 Example #3: Toastmasters—turning anxiety into excellence 09:50 The question that changes careers 11:00 Closing: Time-tested principles for ordinary → extraordinary
Pull Quotes
“I was unpaid, but I was never uncompensated.”
“Know your lines so you can hear your client.”
“Don’t ask what you’re getting—ask what you’re becoming.”
Call to Action
If this helped, follow the show and share it with one emerging pro who’s serious about mastery. For coaching, keynotes, or the Time Tested Mastery workshop, visit TimeTestedMastery.com.
Top Big Bear agent and team leader Israel “Izzy” Barden joins Mark to unpack the habits that built his career—from grinding through down markets to running a multi-market team. Izzy shares his simple but ruthless 30-task daily system, the “two-year rule” for testing strategies, how he shifted from buyers to listings, and why real estate done right is generational wealth. Expect straight talk on work ethic, personalized client touches, faith-driven leadership, and what new or stuck agents should do today to get traction. If you’re serious about becoming a pro—not just holding a license—this one’s a masterclass.
If this episode helped you, share it with one agent who needs traction—and leave a rating/review so more pros find it.
Rich and Gina Thomas left successful careers in the entertainment and cable industries—including HBO and Spectrum—to reinvent themselves in Big Bear Lake, California real estate. In this episode of Time Tested Mastery: Life Lessons Sell, host Mark Dolan explores their journey from corporate sales to resort property sales, where the challenge isn’t selling a “need” but uncovering and fueling a client’s true “want.”
They discuss the steep learning curve of starting over, the differences between corporate sales cycles and the long timelines of real estate, and the lessons they’ve learned from shadowing, mentorship, and daily discipline. Rich and Gina also share creative prospecting strategies, how they manage seasonality in the Big Bear market, and their best advice for anyone considering a mid-career leap into real estate.
This episode is packed with insights on resilience, professionalism, and building a business that reflects your values and lifestyle.
Connect with Rich & Gina Thomas
Website: bigbearhomesearch.com
Instagram: @gina_t_bbrealestate
Text or Call: 909.936.1464
Email: ginathomasbigbear@gmail.com
New agents chase leads; pros chase consistency and character. In this conversation, Realtor Nick LaBate shares how centering his business on faith, choosing connections over commissions, and running a disciplined morning system took him from ~$6–8M a year to ~$25M—and why he’s now blueprinting a $50M year. We break down his 4:30 a.m. routine, prospecting cadence, how to remove drama from heated deals, and the mindset shift that made everything click.
Key Takeaways
Connection > Commission: Put the client’s interest first. The dividends show up later—bigger and better.
Consistency compounds: Daily prospecting beats the feast-or-famine cycle. Same morning system, Monday–Thursday.
Belief drives performance: When your conviction matches your habits, results jump.
Slow the drama: When emotions spike, step back for hours—not minutes—then solve.
Design your day: Faith → fitness → family → focused prospecting → afternoon appointments.
Know your why: A real purpose prevents burnout; if you don’t have it, pivot.
Level up with systems: Buy back time so you can do high-leverage work (matching buyers/sellers, luxury focus).
Chapter Markers
00:00 — Why faith changed Nick’s business
02:45 — Work ethic origins: splitting wood for a first phone
06:30 — Credibility hurdles as a young agent
09:45 — Mentorship and “teach to fish” foundations
15:40 — Phones, mailers, sphere: the simple, hard stuff
19:50 — The belief inflection point (≈$8M → ≈$26M)
24:30 — 1% better daily; momentum and grace
30:10 — Perfect-day design: 4:30 a.m. routine & prospect blocks
35:20 — Consistency vs. burnout and having a why
38:05 — Next 5 years: systems, luxury, and a $50M target
39:50 — How to reach Nick & closing thoughts
Nick’s “Perfect Day” Framework (steal this)
4:30–5:30 a.m.: Devotional/prayer + light stretch
5:30–6:30 a.m.: Gym
6:30–7:30 a.m.: Coffee + quiet
7:30–9:00 a.m.: Family time
9:00–9:30 a.m.: Inbox, quick follow-ups
9:30–12:00 p.m.: Prospecting (phones + mailers/sphere/social)
Afternoons: Appointments, showings, negotiations
Friday: Work from home, family-centric, still touch the system
Try This This Week
60 minutes of calls daily (no zero days).
100 mailers or 50 warm reach-outs.
Write your WHY on an index card; keep it at your desk.
When a deal gets hot, remove the drama—pause 3–4 hours, then re-approach.
Pull Quotes
“Connections over commissions.” —Nick
“You can’t do the right things over time and not get the right results.” —Mark
“When belief caught up with my habits, my volume jumped.” —Nick
“Take the drama out of the deal, and solutions appear.” —Nick
Resources Mentioned
Daily devotional / morning routine
Grief touches every part of life—including real estate. In this powerful episode of Time Tested Mastery: Life Lessons Sell, we explore how real estate professionals can walk with empathy, emotional intelligence, and genuine care when clients are navigating loss.
Whether it’s a death in the family, a divorce, or a major life transition, clients bring their grief to the table. And how you show up in those moments defines more than the transaction—it defines the relationship.
You’ll learn:
How to recognize the signs of grief in clients and respond with empathy.
Why emotional intelligence is a critical skill in real estate today.
Practical ways to communicate with compassion while still guiding clients forward.
The role of grief education in building stronger client care and long-term trust.
Stories and strategies that remind us: support and relationships come before sales.
This conversation blends professional insight with human connection—because the best agents know real estate isn’t just about houses, it’s about people.
Keywords: grief, real estate, empathy, support, loss, communication, relationships, emotional intelligence, client care, grief education
In this episode of Time Tested Mastery: Life Lessons Sell, Mark Dolan sits down with Christine Lee—entrepreneur, faith-driven leader, and founder of the God in Business Mastermind—to explore how faith can radically reshape the way we build and lead businesses.
Christine shares her journey from skepticism to fully embracing God in her entrepreneurial path, revealing how prayer, surrender, and a faith-centered mindset have transformed her productivity, leadership, and peace. Together, Mark and Christine unpack practical ways to integrate spirituality into daily business life—including a three-step day planning framework that prioritizes divine guidance over hustle and grind.
Listeners will discover how letting go of control can unlock greater results, how fear often disguises itself as “productivity,” and why building a community of faith-driven entrepreneurs matters now more than ever.
If you’re a leader, entrepreneur, or professional searching for deeper meaning in your work, this episode is a roadmap for aligning business success with spiritual growth.
Find Out More @ https://www.seizethemarket.com/
California’s insurance market shifted under our feet. Insurance pro Brian Walker explains why carriers pulled back, why renewals exploded, how FAIR Plan + DIC actually work, and what agents and buyers can do inside the 30-day insurance window before closing. Practical, no-nonsense guidance for anyone buying or selling in high-risk wildfire zones—and a candid look at what’s improving.
The mortgage world isn’t one-size-fits-all—and guessing costs clients money. In this episode, lender Michele Town (30+ years in the business, known as “the gal who gets it done”) breaks down today’s loan landscape in plain English so agents and buyers can make smarter, faster decisions.
We cover the real differences between conventional (Fannie/Freddie), FHA, VA, USDA, jumbo, portfolio, and non-QM loans—plus when adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) actually make sense and how private (“hard”) money/bridge loans solve short-term problems. Michele also demystifies PMI vs. FHA MIP, manual underwriting, recasting (lower your payment without refinancing), and practical tactics like paying down a small credit card to unlock a higher score. Bottom line: there’s almost always a path to homeownership if you match the person to the product.
You’ll learn
How to triage borrowers into the right lane: conventional vs. government (FHA/VA/USDA) vs. non-QM/portfolio
Why VA can beat conventional—even with 20% down (no monthly MI; potential lower rate)
When USDA wins (0–2% financed, rural, income-restricted) and the key “gotchas”
FHA’s sweet spot for lower FICO buyers—and the streamline refi advantage
ARMs without the fear: when a 7/10-year fixed period is the smarter play
Jumbo realities: tighter DTI, reserve rules, and timing
Portfolio & non-QM for self-employed or “outside the box” files (asset-depletion, using the stronger spouse’s score, etc.)
Private/bridge money use cases (timing gaps, NOD rescue, deferred payments—what that really means)
Recasting explained: apply a lump sum and re-amortize to lower the payment without changing your rate
Why agents should loop in a lender early to compete with cash and write stronger offers (pre-approval > pre-qual)
Who this episode is for
Agents who want to speak confidently about financing (without playing lender), first-time buyers who need options, and self-employed borrowers who’ve been told “no” by cookie-cutter guidelines.
Connect with Michele Town
Email: michele@micheletown.com
Phone: (949) 510-9062 (“Think yes.” If there’s a path, she’ll find it.)
If this helped, share it with one agent or buyer today. Subscribe to Time Tested Mastery: Life Lessons Sell for weekly, no-fluff episodes on sales mastery, mindset, and transformation.
In this episode of Time Tested Mastery: Life Lessons Sell, Mark Dolan interviews Rachael Smith-Meadors, Broker Associate at RE/MAX Big Bear, on her journey from Kentucky to California, cutting her teeth in vacation rentals, spending a decade on a top team—then making the leap solo and thriving. Rachael breaks down the real drivers of growth: relentless follow-up, clear systems, creative social media, a disciplined morning routine, and coaching that fits your market (not generic one-size-fits-all “training”).
You’ll learn:
How to transition from a team to independent producer without dropping the ball
The exact early activities that created momentum: follow-up, old “dead” leads, listing checklists
Why coaching > training (custom strategy beats canned scripts)
The pillars approach to marketing: master a few channels, then add more
Social media that stands out (borrow ideas across industries, don’t copy agents)
Time-blocking and weekly planning to balance high production with family life
Mindset for scary changes: plan tomorrow before you go to bed
Chapters (suggested): 0:00 Rachael’s backstory: KY → Big Bear 3:50 First deals, mentorship, and early lead gen 10:45 Ten years on a team—then the leap 18:20 Surprises of going solo (volume, systems, help) 24:40 Coaching vs. training: what actually works 28:50 Marketing pillars & creative content 33:40 Visibility, brand, and YouTube wins 36:30 Calendars, checklists, and family balance 41:50 What’s next: smart growth without losing quality
Connect with Rachael
Website: buyinbigbearlake.com (and rachelsmith.remax.com)
YouTube: Rachael Smith Real Estate — Living in Big Bear
IG/FB/LinkedIn: Rachael Smith Real Estate
Connect with Mark / Time Tested Mastery
Website: TimeTestedMastery.com
Podcast: Time Tested Mastery: Life Lessons Sell
Social: @TimeTestedMastery
If this helped you, share it with a new or rising agent who needs a no-fluff blueprint. Subscribe for weekly conversations on sales mastery, mindset, and transformation.
In this episode of Time Tested Mastery: Life Lessons Sell, Mark sits down with Ali Grant-Shoemaker—Big Bear Lake broker and REMAX Big Bear standout—whose path ran from communications and media to top-tier resort real estate. Ali shares how a decade of mentorship (Tyler Wood Group), earning her broker’s license, and finally stepping out under her own brand led to her best year yet—powered by personalized marketing, consistent client care, and systems that scale.
You’ll learn:
How mentorship, structure, and on-the-job reps accelerate mastery—especially early.
Why unique positioning beats copycat marketing (think “purple cow”): be memorable or be invisible.
The long game of retargeting ads and brand visibility (expect months, not weeks).
Navigating the leap from team to solo: lead gen, support, and building your own playbook.
Balancing production with family life through time-blocking and real boundaries.
Setting meaningful targets (hello, REMAX Chairman’s Club) without losing your soul.
Connect with Ali: Website: aligrantshoemaker.com Facebook: “Ali Grant-Shoemaker Big Bear Real Estate” Instagram: @bigbearrealestate
If this episode sparked an idea, share it with a new or rising agent who needs a real, time-tested blueprint—and subscribe for weekly training on sales mastery, mindset, and transformation.
In this episode of Time Tested Mastery: Life Lessons Sell, Mark Dolan challenges you with a question that could unlock your next breakthrough: Are you truly teachable—or just going through the motions?
Growth doesn’t come from praise, comfort, or leaning on past wins. It comes when we choose curiosity over defensiveness, accountability over excuses, and getting better over just feeling better.
Mark shares personal stories—including a turning point in his early career when a tough question forced him to rise higher—and gives you practical ways to measure and strengthen your own teachability. You’ll discover:
The difference between incremental growth and explosive growth.
Three powerful questions to test your teachability.
Why discomfort is the birthplace of transformation.
How to shift from “feeling good” to truly getting better.
If you’re ready to stop defending, start learning, and accelerate your growth, this episode will help you lean into the stretch that changes everything.
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to never miss an episode of Time Tested Mastery: Life Lessons Sell.
In this episode of Time-Tested Mastery: Life Lessons Sell, Mark Dolan shares how he turned chaos and frustration in his early buyer showings into a simple, repeatable process that built trust, saved time, and closed deals.
You’ll discover:
Why the biggest problem with buyers isn’t the buyers—it’s your process.
How to shift from “tour guide” to “trusted guide” and earn loyalty fast.
The exact steps Mark used to go from endless showings to closing 70–80% of buyers on the second appointment.
A real-life story that proves discipline and process beat luck every time.
If you’re tired of wasting time, losing trust, and working harder than you should—this episode will show you how to win with buyers by working smarter.
Listen now—and if you found this episode valuable, don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss a lesson that could transform your career.
In this powerful episode of Time Tested Mastery: Life Lessons Sell, I sit down with Nick Volenchak—transformation coach, speaker, and founder of the MicroShift Project.
Nick’s story is raw, real, and inspiring. After losing his mother at a young age, enduring abuse, battling addiction, and experiencing homelessness, he rebuilt his life—celebrating over 20 years of sobriety. From running a professional wrestling company to building a successful digital marketing firm, Nick now dedicates his work to helping high-achieving men move beyond surviving to truly thriving.
Nick shares the philosophy behind his MicroShift framework: the belief that the smallest shifts in our mindset, choices, and conversations can spark massive transformation.
In this conversation, we explore:
Why survival isn’t enough—and how to step into thriving.
The truth about imposter syndrome and how to overcome it.
How a single compassionate conversation can redirect the course of a life.
Why cause over cash creates deeper impact (and lasting fulfillment).
The power of community, vulnerability, and finding your tribe.
Why you’re only ever one shift away from momentum.
Connect with Nick Volenchak:
Website: themicroshift.com
LinkedIn: Nicholas Volinchak
Instagram: @nickfromcwe
Facebook: facebook.com/nvolinchak
In this episode of Time Tested Mastery: Life Lessons Sell, I sit down with Jan Raeder—the Self-Care Sensei—to unpack the principles of discipline, wellbeing, and resilience that she has honed over 30 years in martial arts, positive psychology, and behavior change.
Jan is a national AAU gold medalist, keynote speaker, and author of Strive for MORE: What Wellbeing Really Means and How You Can Achieve It. She introduces us to her M.O.R.E. framework—Meaning, Optimism, Relationships, and Engagement—four pillars that underpin true wellbeing and can transform the way we live, lead, and sell.
In this conversation, we explore:
How martial arts discipline translates into success in sales and life.
Why taking things personally causes us to lose our center—and how detachment creates clarity.
The difference between self-care “treats” and true self-care that builds strength from within.
The evidence-based practices Jan uses to help people avoid burnout and build resilience.
A simple yet powerful exercise you can use today to shift your perspective: What Went Well?
Connect with Jan here:
Website: selfcaresensei.com
Facebook: facebook.com/jan.h.raeder
Instagram: @selfcaresenseijraeder
LinkedIn: Jan Raeder on LinkedIn
Book: Strive for MORE (Amazon)













