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Today's episode is with the brilliant Dr. Brent Hogarth who is a clinical psychologist, executive coach and team flow expert. He currently works with Dr. Michael Gervais and his team of coaches at Finding Mastery and is focused on enterprise size high-performance mindset training around the globe.

Brent spent years researching what he calls "the dark side of flow"—and what he discovered challenges everything we've been taught about high achievement and peak performance.

Flow states feel incredible. They're optimal for performance. The neurochemical cocktail they create—dopamine, norepinephrine, endorphins, anandamide, serotonin—makes us feel invincible. But Brent's groundbreaking research revealed something most performance coaches won't tell you: flow can also create addiction to peak experiences, lead to burnout and depression, cause us to neglect our relationships and values, and make ordinary life feel unbearable.

As the former Head Peak Performance Coach at Flow Research Collective, working under New York Times bestselling author Steven Kotler, Brent trained thousands of "corporate athletes"—Olympic athletes, Navy SEALs, startup CEOs, hedge fund managers, engineers, doctors, and creatives. He taught them how to access flow. But his most profound insight didn't come from a lab or a boardroom. It came from living in Buddhist monasteries in India, where he learned that sustainable high performance requires something radically different from what the hustle culture preaches.

The insight: We need to learn to cycle between flow-state and mindfulness. Flow gives us focused execution and optimal performance. Mindfulness gives us emotional regulation, behavioral flexibility, and the ability to stay connected to what truly matters.

In this conversation, Brent—now a father of two, licensed clinical psychologist, and ultramarathon finisher—sits down with host Andy Vasily for a discussion that goes far beyond productivity hacks and performance metrics. They explore:

• The science of inter-brain synchrony and why our nervous systems literally sync up when we're deeply connected with others—and what this means for team performance, parenting, and leadership
• How to transform suffering into growth using Buddhist teachings and psychological research
• The power of vulnerability in creating real intimacy, and why Brent's decision to share his deepest shame with his now-wife became the foundation of their marriage
• The inner narratives that shape our lives more than any external circumstances
• What legacy really means when you strip away ego, achievement, and societal expectations

Andy and Brent both share deep histories of loss, trauma, and grief. They've both done the hard inner work of rewriting disempowering narratives. And they both understand that the greatest achievements mean nothing if we lose ourselves—and the people we love—in the pursuit of them.

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You can also connect with Brent by email at: brenthogarth@gmail.com

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In this insightful episode, Andy connects with Hadleigh Fisher—founder of the Resilience Agenda and passionate advocate for mental fitness—to explore practical strategies and mindsets for thriving in today's fast-paced world.

Key Takeaways:

• Redefining Mental Health: Hadleigh explains why mental health is a continuum for everyone, not just those in crisis. Learn the difference between mental health and mental illness, and why thinking in terms of "mental fitness" is a game-changer.
• Personal Stories: Both Andy and Hadleigh share candid stories of family and personal struggles, highlighting the importance of resilience, agency, and self-compassion.
• Mental Fitness Toolkit: Discover the foundations of mental fitness—movement, nutrition, sleep, connection, and mindset—and how small daily habits can make a big difference.
• Connection Matters: The episode explores powerful research (including the Harvard Study of Adult Development) showing that strong relationships and community are key predictors of long-term well-being.
• Practical Skills: Listeners get actionable advice on habits, goal setting, the importance of journaling, and skills like active constructive responding to strengthen relationships.
• Leader Insights: For those in leadership, find out how autonomy, competence, and relatedness play a role in motivation and performance.
• Tools & Resources: Hear about the Resilience Agenda’s highly-rated planners, their 28-day “Mental Fitness Reset” course, and the free “Mental Fitness 3-2-1” newsletter.
• Fresh Goal Setting: Hadleigh introduces the idea of “new month resolutions,” empowering you to reset and grow every 30 days, not just once a year.

Why Listen? If you want to move beyond surviving to thriving—or if you're a leader, parent, or simply someone interested in practical, research-backed well-being—this episode is packed with stories, science, and tools you can use right away. I hope you share this episode with anyone who you feel will benefit from listening.

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In the episode you are about to hear, Andy Vasily sits down with the legendary Udo Erasmus—renowned health educator, nutritionist, author, and creator of Udo's Oil. Udo shares his remarkable life story, from his childhood as a refugee during World War II, through deep personal traumas and his relentless quest to understand the true nature of health, happiness, and human existence.

The discussion explores profound themes of self-discovery, healing, and the importance of turning inward to connect with our authentic selves. Udo describes how crucial it is to spend time in stillness, embracing solitude, and listening deeply to one's inner voice—a journey that led him from the pain of his early years to pioneering breakthroughs in health and nutrition.

Udo offers practical wisdom for listeners on dietary habits and the foundational principles of health: focusing on fresh, whole, raw, organic, and primarily plant-based nutrition. He emphasizes how inspiration, rather than obligation, fuels meaningful lifestyle changes.

The episode also covers Udo’s professional journey—how a personal health crisis led him to develop safe, undamaged oils for human consumption, resulting in the worldwide success of Udo’s Oil. The conversation weaves in stories of resilience, spiritual insight, and the pursuit of purpose, highlighting Udo’s unique blend of scientific rigor and philosophical wisdom.

Listeners are encouraged to visit Udo Erasmus’ website, YouTube, Instagram, and LinkedIn to explore his teachings, products, and ongoing mission to transform health education.

Connect with Udo

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You can find Udo's books here

Udo's Oil