The Leaders of Influence Podcast with Anton Guinea

The Real Secret to Financial Independence | Troy Collins Interview

Troy describes his 30+ years as a strategic financial planner and founder of Collins Financial Group, emphasizing that true financial planning is strategic, not transactional, built around his core pillars of direction, control, and choice. He links financial strategy with triathlon coaching: starting with the end in mind, creating a clear long‑term goal, then working backward with structure, discipline, and systems that run consistently over time. Troy highlights the importance of trust, respect, and likability in client relationships, often turning clients into long‑term friends, and notes how money and financial stress can make or break marriages, which is why he sees his work as partly “financial and marriage rescue.” He gives practical markers for retirement planning (e.g., ~$60k–$100k per year in today’s dollars, and roughly $500k of capital for every $30k of income, assuming ~6% returns) and stresses conservative assumptions, long-term thinking, and starting as early as possible. Throughout, both men reinforce the value of being coachable, humble, and open, investing in mentors and coaches, and using disciplined consistency, whether in business, money, or sport, to create genuine financial independence and life choices over decades.
 
Takeaways: 
 
Strategic, not transactional, financial planningTroy argues that real financial planning is about long‑term strategy—starting with the end in mind, setting clear goals, and then building structure, systems, and processes—rather than chasing short‑term products or “deals.”
Direction, control, and choice create calm and confidenceHis framework is:
Direction (clear goals and plan) → calm and clarity
Control (systems, cash flow, debt strategy, investments) → confidence
Choice (financial independence) → freedom to design your lifestyle, work less, or retire.
Be coachable, humble, and open—for money, business, and lifeTroy links triathlon, business, and money: success comes from discipline and being coachable. He continually invests in coaches and mentors, and encourages others to do the same, because outside perspective and experience accelerate both financial independence and personal growth.
Quotes:
On what influence really looks like in financial planning
"My belief in regards to financial planning should be strategic, not transactional… my three key words are direction, control, and choice… that direction creates calm… the control… creates confidence… and then lastly, the choice is the end outcome, in regards to the freedom that they get."— Troy Collins [0:04:13]
On money, relationships, and why his work matters
"I actually say to a lot of clients, I think I’ve saved more marriages… because that is what creates a lot of… destroyed relationships… personally as well. They don’t talk about money, they’re fearful of talking about money, and so having that third party that can influence decision‑making… is absolutely critical."— Troy Collins [0:19:53–0:21:05]
On being a leader and a learner at the same time
"We’ve got to be coachable… be humble and learn from other people… go and find the people who’ve done it… I invested in traveling interstate… I went to Tony Robbins seminars… I traveled every quarter to basically have a one‑day coaching session… I’m still doing it… always be open to new learnings and new opportunities."— Troy Collins [0:37:23–0:41:17]
 
Timestamps:
 
0:00:00 – Troy explains his long-term relationships with clients and how trust, likeability, and respect have grown over decades.
0:01:00 – Anton formally opens the Find Your Influence podcast and introduces Troy’s professional background.
0:04:13 – Troy defines influence in his work and introduces his framework of direction, control, and choice.
0:06:57 – Troy talks about “starting with the end in mind” in financial planning and setting time-and-dollar goals.
0:09:29 – Troy describes his education, professional qualifications, and the evolution of financial planning from transactional to strategic.
0:13:20 – Troy reflects on early influences: parents, coaches, and how he joined his father’s business after trying to be a pro triathlete.
0:19:52 – Troy and Anton discuss how money and finances strain relationships, and Troy describes his role in “saving marriages.”
0:23:14 – Troy explains how clients become long-term friends and how his triathlon life and client base overlap.
0:30:19 – They explore strategy vs. tools in investing, stressing planning first and only then choosing assets.
0:37:23 – Troy talks about leadership, being coachable, and continually investing in coaches and mentors throughout his career.
 
In conclusion, this conversation with Troy Collins is a masterclass in how long-term thinking, disciplined strategy, and coachability shape both money and life. Troy shows that true financial planning is not about quick wins or products, but about clarity of direction, control through systems, and the freedom of real choice over decades. By tying his work as a financial strategist to his journey as a triathlete, husband, and business owner, he models how consistency and humility—being willing to seek coaches, stay teachable, and invest in yourself—create enduring results. Listeners are left with a clear message: if you start with the end in mind, get honest about your goals, and commit to structured action with the right guidance, you can build not just financial independence, but a life of meaningful relationships, health, and impact.
 
Visit https://collinsfinancialgroup.com.au/

Chad Hymas: The Accident That Left Him Paralyzed & Changed His Life Forever

In this powerful conversation, leadership and safety expert Chad Hymas shares how a catastrophic workplace accident at 27, when a 2,000‑pound bale of hay shattered his neck and left him a quadriplegic, completely transformed his life, work, and view of leadership. He describes the harsh realities of living without the use of his legs, core, or hands, the strain and tenderness in his marriage and caregiving relationship with his wife Shondell, and the crucial support role his children and strangers play in his daily independence. Chad opens up about men’s mental health, depression, and suicidal thoughts, arguing that while physical challenges can be managed, the mental game is the same for all of us. He explains how his purpose evolved from farming land to “farming people” through his ranch (Royal Creek Ranches), global keynotes, and leadership retreats, emphasizing proactive kindness and service—reaching out before being asked—as the true heart of influence and leadership. Grounded in his faith in God and hard‑won perspective, Chad challenges listeners to stop “robbing themselves” of purpose, to actively serve others, and to recognize that even small, sincere acts of encouragement can change lives.
 
Takeaways:
 
The real battle is mental, not physical. Physical limitations can be adapted to; the “hard part” is the mental game, which is the same for everyone, regardless of their specific challenge.
One plus one doesn’t equal two—it can equal three or infinity. Chad’s idea that 1 + 1 = 3 (or infinity) reflects how collaboration, support, and shared struggle multiply impact far beyond what individuals can do alone.
Independence is built on dependence. Chad insists he is not truly independent—his independence is created by being willing to depend on and ask for help from others, often complete strangers.
Caregiving deeply impacts relationships. Having his wife, Shondell, help with intimate, daily care creates emotional and relational tension, challenging traditional views of a man’s role as “protector and provider.”
Quotes:
 
On the real challenge being mental, not physical, “The mental game is where it's really hard. I mean, the physical part, we deal with that, we figure it out, but the mental game, it's the same for all of us…” – Chad Hymas
On proactive kindness and leadership “Proactive kindness and proactive service, that's a whole different way to live a life… People will help when they're asked. Will you do it when you're not asked?” – Chad Hymas 
On honoring loss by how you live, “If you focus on what you lost, you end up staying stuck. But if you focus on the little bit you still have, more comes to you in the process… You honor the loss by the way you change and live your life moving forward.” – Chad Hymas
 
Timestamps:
 
[00:00:00] – The Mental Game & 1+1=3Chad opens by arguing that the mental game is harder than the physical, and introduces his “1 + 1 = 3 / infinity” view of leadership and support.
[00:03:25] – The Accident StoryChad recounts the workplace accident with the 2,000‑pound bale of hay that shattered his neck and changed his life at 27.
[00:08:28] – Independence Through DependenceHe explains his physical limitations, using a manual wheelchair, traveling alone, and why he says he’s not independent—he’s dependent on strangers.
[00:10:35] – Marriage, Caregiving & MasculinityCandid discussion about Shondell’s caregiving, how it affects intimacy, pride, and his sense of being a husband and man.
[00:13:28] – Men’s Mental Health & Suicidal ThoughtsChad opens up about depression, suicidal ideation, and skyrocketing male suicide rates, and why he advocates for men’s mental health.
[00:26:22] – The Mental Game is the Same for All of UsHe revisits Anton’s knee injury, asserts that no one’s pain is “less than”, and expands on the shared mental struggle we all face.
[00:29:20] – Proactive vs Reactive KindnessCore leadership lesson: the difference between helping when asked and seeking people to serve without being asked, plus the simple “send a text today” challenge.
[00:33:20] – Raising the Bar with RecognitionPractical examples of lifting kids and spouses by recognizing effort (even a C grade), flipping criticism into positive expectations.
[00:39:14] – First Speaking Gig from One Church VisitThe story of stopping at church after the accident, going back once to say thank you, and how that directly led to his first paid speaking engagement.
[00:48:55] – Honoring Loss by How You Live ForwardClosing message: don’t focus on what you lost; honor loss (death, divorce, bankruptcy) by how you change and live your life going forward.
 
Conclusion:
 
Chad Hymas is a masterclass in perspective, purpose, and proactive leadership. Chad doesn’t just tell a story about surviving a catastrophic accident; he shows what it means to win the mental game day after day while living with profound physical limitations. From redefining independence as dependence on others to challenging us to practice proactive kindness and to honor loss in how we move forward, Chad turns tragedy into a deeply practical roadmap for influence, resilience, and service. Listeners walk away not just inspired, but invited to act: to send that text, recognize the people closest to them, and stop “robbing themselves” of the chance to serve, grow, and live with a renewed sense of faith and purpose. 
 

Brad Eisenhuth on Motivation, Safety, and Team Performance

Brad Eisenhuth explores what real influence and leadership look like in practice. Brad defines influence as creating movement in others and emphasizes generating a disproportionate return on time and effort by choosing the right environment, method, and intent. He explains that true change requires motivation, ownership of problems, and a shift in both thinking and behavior. Using concepts like the red zone/green zone of human needs (safety, control, status vs. learning, teamwork, purpose), Brad shows why people resist change and how leaders can create safety and clarity so that teams lean into growth rather than avoid it. The conversation dives into leadership as the blend of inspiration (leadership) and structure (management), and finishes with a key insight: stop starting with your “gold nugget” and instead deeply understand what the other person needs first.
Takeaways:
Influence = creating movement: Real influence is about generating movement in others with a disproportionate return on your time and effort by aligning intent, method, and environment.
Change starts with motivation and safety: People only embrace change when they see why it matters to them and feel safe in their core needs—security, control, and status (red zone)—so they can move into learning, teamwork, and purpose (green zone).
Lead from their needs, not your agenda: Effective leaders don’t start with “their” gold nugget; they reverse-engineer influence by understanding what the other person values, how they see the problem, and tailoring questions, structure, and support to that.
 
Quotes:
"Influence... it's about creating movement in others... How do I get people to move towards the behavior or the change that I want to see happen in the most efficient way, in the most effective way, with the least amount of effort?" 
"The real skill is being able to pick the communication method and design the environment with clear intent."
"You don't need to influence, you just need to find out what the other person needs."
 
Timestamps:
00:00 – Opening on change, motivation & stepping into the unknown
01:10 – Podcast intro & Anton introduces Brad Eisenhowth
02:14 – What is influence? “Creating movement” & disproportionate return
05:56 – The key skill of influence: environment, method, intent
11:42 – Who influenced Brad? Mentors, Tony Robbins, sport & observation
16:12 – Pride, ownership of problems & personal growth
19:46 – Change, motivation, and tension between present and future
23:09 – Human needs: red zone vs green zone (safety, control, status)
28:20 – Real‑life resistance to change: personal stress & leadership response
33:00 – Hard leadership moments when the chips are down
35:03 – Leadership vs management: inspiration vs structure
39:32 – Anton’s recap of influence & leadership themes
40:53 – Brad’s final “gold nugget”: stop thinking about you, start with their needs
42:21 – Closing thanks & call to like/subscribe
Conclusion:
This conversation between Anton Guinea and Brad Eisenhuth shows that real influence and leadership aren’t about clever tactics, but about creating meaningful movement in others by understanding their needs, context, and motivations. Influence works best when leaders align intent, method, and environment; support core human needs such as safety, control, and status; and invite people into the green zone of learning, teamwork, and purpose. Leadership, as Brad frames it, is the blend of inspiration (emotion, story, destination) and management (logic, structure, clarity)—and the most powerful shift any leader can make is to stop centering their own “gold nugget” and instead start with a deep curiosity about what the other person truly needs to change and grow. 

Leading Beyond the Hierarchy: How to Drive True Impact with Dominique Lamb

Dominique Lamb is a premier Australian governance, policy, and advocacy leader currently serving as the Director of Community Affairs to the President of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Dominique explains how the 2032 Games are shifting away from traditional, isolated sporting events toward a distributed, 14-host-city model designed to act as a catalyst for "public value", ensuring long-term infrastructure, economic development, and generational change impact regional communities that have historically been left behind. She describes how she defines influence as a collaborative, place-based journey rooted in storytelling rather than rigid corporate hierarchies, allowing her to advocate effectively across government bodies, industry associations, and regional stakeholders. Drawing from her diverse career as a lawyer, CEO, and the Queensland Small Business Commissioner, Dominique shares profound insights into leadership as an act of psychological safety, navigating isolation at the executive level, and why leaders must consciously define their own value compass to stay grounded when making hard decisions. Takeaways: Shifting from Profit to Public Value: Dominique highlights how leading in community and government spaces requires a mindset shift from standard corporate profitability to maximizing positive, lasting impact for the greatest number of people. Leadership is Psychological Safety: She defines the core of organizational leadership as creating a secure bond where employees can show up as authentic human beings, voice their struggles on hard days, and build mutual loyalty. Owning Your Value Compass: Reflecting on her time in a high-performance bodybuilding team, Dominique emphasizes that personal and professional values must be a conscious, daily choice that dictates your behavior, serving as a critical anchor during times of executive pressure. Quotes: "Influence is about taking people on a journey. Storytelling predominantly. Because I don't think that you can influence in a hierarchical sense. I don't think you can do it through aggression. I don't think that you can create true or long-term influence unless you bring people on a journey." — Dominique Lamb "When you work with the government, the government's focus is around where can I achieve the public value... impacting the most people in the most positive way." — Dominique Lamb "People spend their whole lives trying to get to the top and they think that you get to the top and then you're good... But in actual fact it gets harder... The single thing that gets anyone through are the people around them. You're the sum of the five people around you." — Dominique Lamb Conclusion: This episode demonstrates that true leadership isn't about imposing decisions on a community, but navigating the journey with them. Dominique’s insights are a powerful reminder for any leader to deliberately choose their values, protect their team's safety, and focus on leaving a legacy of public worth.

Bridging the Gap Between Engineers and Frontline Workers with Paul Harazim

Paul Harazim is an Australian business leader focused on industrial safety and efficiency in the water, wastewater, and transport sectors. Paul explains how his company, Mass Products, bridges the gap between engineers and frontline operators by designing operator-led, practical access and safety solutions that reduce bureaucracy and paperwork while improving real-world safety. He describes a new standalone access program and a major contract in Brisbane that oversees planning, engineering, and design to ensure that new infrastructure is safe, maintainable, and efficient over the next 30 years, particularly amid aging assets. Paul also shares how he uses influence—which he defines as awareness plus guiding others on a journey—to connect operator feedback with senior executives, identify pain points, and implement change across multiple levels of an organization. Finally, he reflects on his entrepreneurial journey, early influences from his father, the importance of backing yourself, and his parallel work on Road Pod, an innovative containerized transport system that improves safety and efficiency in freight operations.
 
Takeaways:
Bridge between design and operations: Paul’s work focuses on closing the gap between engineers and frontline operators, ensuring infrastructure is practical, maintainable, and safe rather than just “compliant on paper.”
Influence as awareness and guided change: He defines influence as raising awareness, helping people understand and accept new information, and then guiding them on a journey of change across all organizational levels.
Back yourself and solve real problems: Paul’s entrepreneurial journey shows the value of backing yourself early, focusing on solving real operational pain points, and adding value first—whether through safer water infrastructure or innovations like the Road Pod freight system.
 
Quotes:
"When you can add that kind of efficiency and safety in the same sentence, that's when that kind of excites me, because the world went crazy with safety... and we're kind of really enjoying disrupting the industry and pioneering the change, where we're taking away all of this bureaucracy, red tape, paperwork." 
"We're bridging the gap between people actually doing the work and people who are designing and building some of the work, so we've become this kind of communication company where we're almost a counseling company in both."
"I would call it… I'd almost call it awareness and an ability to accept, understand, and navigate other people through that journey. That's what influencing is."
 
Conclusion:
This episode shows that real influence is about turning frontline pain points into safer, smarter systems that serve workers for decades. Paul’s journey is a reminder to back yourself, challenge the status quo, and design solutions where safety and efficiency go hand in hand. 
 
🔥 𝗦𝗣𝗢𝗡𝗦𝗢𝗥 𝗦𝗣𝗢𝗧𝗟𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧
This episode is proudly sponsored by Les Moir, Business Mentor, Coach, and creator of the No Limits to Success program.
For more than 18 years, Les has helped trades professionals and small business owners break free from the constant grind, stabilize their income, and reclaim their time so they can build businesses that support both success and lifestyle.
If you’re ready to work smarter, grow sustainably, and create more freedom in your business and life, this resource is worth checking out.
https://nolimitstosuccess.com/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/les.moir/ LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesdmoir/
YT: https://www.youtube.com/@NoLimitsToSuccess
 

Olympic Medalist Michellie Jones Shares Her Winning Mindset

Michellie Jones, an Australian triathlon legend, discussed her career highlights, including winning the ITU World Championship in 1992, the Olympic silver medal in 2000, and the Ironman World Championship in 2006. She emphasized the importance of consistency and overcoming challenges, sharing personal anecdotes about her high school coach's influence and her transition to equestrian sports. Jones also highlighted her recent achievements, such as winning the 55-59 age group at the 2022 Wollongong ITU Short Course Age Group World Championships and the 70.3 World Championships in Spain. She stressed the value of community, self-care, and the impact of actions on others.
 
Takeaways:
 
Michellie’s core message: “You don’t have to be extraordinary, you can just be ordinary and still tick off the boxes.”
Her real “talent” is consistency over decades, not some magical gift.
Her high school sports master John White started a simple run group, bought her first triathlon bike, and backed her when she had little money.
He attended key moments (Sydney Olympics, Kona win, Wollongong worlds), showing how one believer can shape an entire career.
Comments like “you’re not Olympic medal material” or “why bother with sport, you’ll just get a boyfriend and quit” became motivation to prove people wrong.
She used disappointments (e.g., missing the Athens Olympic team) to pivot into Ironman, which led to her Kona world title.
 
Quotes:
 
“You don’t have to be extraordinary, you can just be ordinary and still tick off the boxes.”
“I don’t think I was always the most talented athlete. Yes, my talent was consistency. Consistency is king, if you want to do something well.” 
“Be happy with the race you had rather than the race you wished you had… As long as you can walk away having learned something, that is a big, huge win in my book.”
Conclusion: 
 
This episode is ultimately a masterclass in how an “ordinary” person creates an extraordinary career through consistency, community, and courage to pivot. From a modest upbringing and a high school coach who believed in her, Michellie built a legacy that includes an Olympic silver medal, an Ironman World Championship, and world titles spanning decades—yet she keeps returning to the same themes: show up, take action, and let consistency be your superpower. She turns criticism and setbacks into fuel, treats every race as a learning opportunity, and leans on self‑care and smart adaptation to stay durable over time. Above all, her story shows that influence isn’t about trying to be an influencer; it’s about being authentically yourself, acting on your values, and never underestimating how your actions—big or small—might change someone else’s life.
 
🔥 𝗦𝗣𝗢𝗡𝗦𝗢𝗥 𝗦𝗣𝗢𝗧𝗟𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧
This episode is proudly sponsored by Les Moir, Business Mentor, Coach, and creator of the No Limits to Success program.
For more than 18 years, Les has helped trades professionals and small business owners break free from the constant grind, stabilize their income, and reclaim their time so they can build businesses that support both success and lifestyle.
If you’re ready to work smarter, grow sustainably, and create more freedom in your business and life, this is a resource worth checking out.
https://nolimitstosuccess.com/ 
IG: https://www.instagram.com/les.moir/
LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesdmoir/
YT: https://www.youtube.com/@NoLimitsToSuccess

Am I Proud of Who I've Influenced? Here's My Honest Answer with Tiffany English

Tiffany English, founder and CEO of Access Offshoring, discusses the concept of influence with Anton Guinea on the Find Your Influence podcast. Tiffany defines influence as the ability to positively change behavior, even when not present. She emphasizes consistency, authenticity, and long-term impact in leadership. Tiffany shares her journey, highlighting early influences, such as a female boss in a male-dominated industry, and the importance of adding value. She stresses the importance of core values, goal-setting, and creating a psychologically safe environment for her team. Tiffany believes in making the world a better place through personal and professional growth.
Key Takeaways:
Influence is measured by how people behave when you are there, not by how they act when you are watching.
Consistency in energy communication and behavior is the backbone of effective long-term leadership.
Great leaders focus on creating vision, providing opportunities, and removing roadblocks so their people can grow.
Intentional goal setting across personal, professional, and financial areas creates deeper alignment and commitment in teams.
The journey of influencing others starts with doing the inner work to influence and evolve yourself first.
 
Quotes:
If people continue to behave in a certain way when I am not in the room, that to me is influence, not control.
Your team and your family are feeding off your leadership energy, even on the days you do not want to show up.
I walk into every room asking how I can add value here and prove my competence.
The company and the people we are today are not the people we need to be to run this company in twelve months' time.
When I look at the growth I have had and the hardships I have been through, the person I am most proud to have influenced is me.
 
Timestamps:
 
00:00 Introduction and a bold definition of influence
03:01 Consistency control and how leaders shape behavior that lasts
04:58 Leading global teams at a distance and creating lasting impact
09:06 Early role models, confidence, and adding value in any room
13:25 Clarity in communication and letting people learn through their own decisions
17:17 Discovering values, obligation, and the drive to be better
21:26 Vision opportunities and removing roadblocks as a leadership blueprint
28:17 Personal, professional, and financial goal setting with the team
32:55 Influence happiness and the joy of watching people grow
34:42 Why the person you are most proud of should be yourself
36:18 Final reflections on legacy impact and leaving people better than you found them
 
Conclusion:
 
This episode is a masterclass in what influence really means when the microphones turn off, and real life begins. You will walk away seeing leadership not as a title but as an obligation to bring your best energy and use your unique gifts fully. The stories shared here prove that you can come from humble or even difficult beginnings and still create a powerful ripple of impact across teams and generations. You will hear how clarity of values and vision turns into daily decisions that shape culture and performance. The conversation also shows that the courage to be proud of your own growth is not arrogance but a necessary fuel for helping others. Above all, it invites you to ask where you can add more value and create more opportunity in the rooms you enter. If you are ready to influence yourself first, so you can better influence others, this episode will challenge and inspire you to level up.
 
This episode is proudly sponsored by Les Moir, Business Mentor, Coach, and creator of the No Limits to Success program.
For more than 18 years, Les has helped trades professionals and small business owners break free from the constant grind, stabilize their income, and reclaim their time so they can build businesses that support both success and lifestyle.
If you’re ready to work smarter, grow sustainably, and create more freedom in your business and life, this resource is worth checking out.
https://nolimitstosuccess.com/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/les.moir/ LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesdmoir/
YT: https://www.youtube.com/@NoLimitsToSuccess
 

Talking vs. Communicating? You're Probably Doing One Wrong with Nikki Langman

In this episode of the Find Your Influence podcast, Anton Guinea sits down with award-winning author and emotional intelligence expert Nikki Langman to unpack what it means to be an unbreakable and restorative leader in a world facing an ongoing crisis. After overcoming early technical hiccups, they explore Nikki’s Unbreakable program, which blends emotional intelligence with Lego Serious Play to make complex human behavior and hard topics like mental health accessible and engaging. Nikki explains her current focus on somatic and restorative leadership and argues that modern leaders must first learn to truly listen, build psychological safety, and restore burned-out, fragmented teams. Together, they redefine influence as a blend of credibility, likability, and trust, grounded in genuine care and vulnerability. Nikki also shares her journey through addiction and adversity and introduces her badass framework, which emphasizes bravery, authenticity, direction, action, self-love, and self-talk as the path to self-mastery and resilient leadership.
 
Key Takeaways:
Influence begins when credibility meets likeability and is held together by trust.
Leadership is simply making the person in front of you the most important person in the world for that moment.
When you stop reacting from fear and start responding with intention, you reclaim your power as a leader.
Restorative leadership heals burned-out teams by listening first and fixing later.
Emotional intelligence is the art of turning complex human behavior into clear, practical action.
 
Quotes:
 
True influence is built on the trio of credibility, likability, and genuine trust.
Restorative leadership is urgently needed to reconnect fragmented, exhausted teams in a world living through an ongoing crisis.
Listening to understand rather than to respond transforms mutually exclusive monologs into real connection and psychological safety.
Tools like Lego Serious Play and metaphor can safely surface hard topics like trauma and mental health in highly engaging ways.
Nikki’s Unbreakable and badass frameworks show that overcoming adversity and addiction is possible through bravery, authenticity, direction, action, self-love, and powerful self-talk.
 
Timestamps:
 
00:00:00 Technical setup and welcoming Nikki
00:10:21 Introducing the Find Your Influence podcast and Nikki’s bio
00:12:28 Unbreakable emotional intelligence and Lego Serious Play
00:15:27 Somatic leadership and restorative leadership in a world in crisis
00:19:19 Listening as the core skill of restorative leadership
00:23:18 Empathy versus advice and why I know how you feel is dangerous
00:27:28 Defining influence credibility, likeability, and trust
00:31:21 Psychological safety, vulnerability, and role modeling as a leader
00:36:12 Proactive communication metaphors and the airplane example
00:40:25 Reacting from fear versus responding with your thinking brain
00:43:39 Unbreakable workshops, Lego Serious Play, and mental health
00:48:05 Nikki’s addiction story and the origins of How to Be a Badass
00:50:27 The badass framework and being kind to yourself
00:51:30 A space where truth is sacred and shame cannot breathe
00:52:30 Future part two ideas and closing remarks
 
Conclusion:
 
In this episode, Anton and Nikki explored what it really means to lead and influence in a world under pressure, showing that unbreakable leaders are those who listen deeply, build trust intentionally, and create spaces where truth is honored, and shame cannot survive, while they guide themselves and others from fragile survival to courageous self-mastery.
 
This episode is proudly sponsored by Les Moir, Business Mentor, Coach, and creator of the No Limits to Success program.
For more than 18 years, Les has helped trades professionals and small business owners break free from the constant grind, stabilize their income, and reclaim their time so they can build businesses that support both success and lifestyle.
If you’re ready to work smarter, grow sustainably, and create more freedom in your business and life, this is a resource worth checking out.
https://nolimitstosuccess.com/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/les.moir/ LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesdmoir/
YT: https://www.youtube.com/@NoLimitsToSuccess
 

Leadership Under Pressure: Shane Kempton’s Journey from Army to CEO

Shane Kempton, CEO of Harcourts Western Australia and mental fitness coach, discussed his journey from the Australian Army to leadership roles in real estate. He emphasized the importance of mental fitness, particularly for veterans, and his work with the Military Brotherhood and the Steak Sandwich men's group. Shane highlighted his upcoming book on leadership, "Command Soldier to CEO," which combines military leadership principles with corporate strategies. He shared his influences, including his family and mentors like Matt Church. Shane also reflected on the impact of his work on individuals and businesses, stressing the need for a compelling vision to drive success.
Key Takeaways:Influence is about inspiring people to take action they did not believe was possible by igniting something inside them.Genuine leadership begins with caring enough to truly understand what your people need to feel safe, valued, and able to belong.Mental fitness, like physical fitness, requires ongoing training, community, and proactive habits rather than waiting for a crisis.A compelling vision creates the sense of duty, purpose, discipline, and urgency that drives consistent action and results.Your lived experiences and scars become powerful leadership tools when you take the time to reflect on them and share the lessons with others.
Quotes:
True influence is helping people do what they never thought they could by lighting a fire inside them, not under them.A compelling vision creates the discipline, courage, and urgency you need to follow through when things get hard.Leadership starts with a genuine sense of care, where you understand what makes your people feel safe, valued, and able to grow.Your best days are still ahead of you when you commit to mental fitness, continuous learning, and doing the inner work.Purpose‑driven leadership turns personal stories, scars, and experiences into a powerful force for change in others.
Timestamps:00:00 -  Intro01:12 – Introducing Shane Kempton and His Leadership Background04:20 – Military Service, SAS Support, and Mental Fitness for Veterans08:41 – Men’s Mental Health, Brotherhood, and Community12:47 – What Real Influence Is and Why Intent Matters14:59 – Leading with Genuine Care and Understanding Your People16:04 – Family, Early Role Models, and Key Leadership Mentors21:36 – The Agents and Business Owners Shane Is Most Proud to Have Influenced26:53 – Shane’s Books and Purpose‑Driven Leadership Philosophy32:34 – Vision, Discipline, and the “Sense Of” Framework for Leaders40:29 – Wrapping Up: Books, DISC Profiles, and Plans for Part Two
Conclusion:Shane’s journey from army life to the CEO seat shows that true influence starts with a compelling vision and a genuine care for people. His stories of serving veterans, building community for men, and lifting real estate leaders prove that leadership is less about titles and more about impact. When you combine discipline, purpose, and mental fitness, you do not just grow a business; you change lives. Shane reminds us that our best days are still ahead if we are willing to do the inner work and back ourselves. Take what you have heard today and ask yourself where you can lead with more care, more courage, and a stronger sense of duty and purpose.
𝗦𝗣𝗢𝗡𝗦𝗢𝗥 𝗦𝗣𝗢𝗧𝗟𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧
This episode is proudly sponsored by Les Moir, Business Mentor, Coach, and creator of the No Limits to Success program.
For more than 18 years, Les has helped trades professionals and small business owners break free from the constant grind, stabilize their income, and reclaim their time so they can build businesses that support both success and lifestyle.
If you’re ready to work smarter, grow sustainably, and create more freedom in your business and life, this is a resource worth checking out.
https://nolimitstosuccess.com/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/les.moir/ LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesdmoir/
YT: https://www.youtube.com/@NoLimitsToSuccess

The Real Secret to Behavior Change (It’s Not Motivation) with Dr. Christopher Taylor

Dr. Christopher S. Taylor powerfully reframes influence as something far deeper than persuasion. It is the result of environment, mentorship, and aligned living. Drawing from his journey in mental health leadership and his research in social learning theory, he reveals that lasting change doesn’t come from willpower or pressure, but from reshaping the environments that shape us. From the pivotal guidance of Master Sergeant Robert Doty to his work helping individuals break cycles of addiction and rebuild their lives, Dr. Taylor shows that true influence is about investing in people, creating spaces for transformation, and living in alignment with your values. His message is clear and compelling: if you want to change your life, or impact others, you don’t start with control, you start with environment, authenticity, and the courage to become who you’re meant to be.
Key Takeaways:Influence is built through relationships, not authority.The environment shapes behavior more than motivation alone.True leadership creates space for growth, not control.Authenticity is about alignment with values, not unfiltered expression.Investing in people (human capital) creates long-term impact.Self-actualization means living in alignment with who you truly are.Emotional intelligence is key to navigating influence responsibly.
Quotes:“The only thing worth investing in is yourself.”“We don’t change people, we create environments where they can change.”“Authenticity isn’t about saying everything you think—it’s about living in alignment with your values.”“If you’re the smartest person in the room, you’re in the wrong room.”“There is no carrot sweet enough or strong enough to beat addiction—but the environment can.”
Timestamps:0:00 – Introduction and Dr. Taylor’s background in mental health2:40 – Defining influence and early reflections on mentorship5:30 – Master Sergeant Robert Doty and life-changing guidance9:20 – The role of mentors in personal development13:10 – Environment vs willpower in shaping behavior18:00 – PhD journey and social learning theory explained24:30 – Addiction, environment, and breaking destructive cycles30:10 – Human capital and employee-first leadership35:20 – Creating space for transformation, not control39:40 – Self-actualization and living authentically44:10 – Authenticity vs honesty and emotional intelligence49:00 – Final reflections on influence and growth
Conclusion:Dr. Christopher S. Taylor’s perspective reframes influence as something far deeper than persuasion, it’s about how we shape environments, invest in people, and live in alignment with our values. His work in mental health and social learning theory makes one thing clear: lasting change doesn’t happen through pressure, but through support, structure, and connection.
By emphasizing human capital, authenticity, and emotional intelligence, Dr. Taylor provides a practical roadmap for leaders, professionals, and individuals seeking meaningful growth. His message is both simple and powerful: if you want to influence others, start by investing in yourself, surrounding yourself with the right people, and creating spaces where others can thrive. That’s where real transformation begins.