674. Rethinking Confidence: The Power of Embodiment - Live Coaching Session With Christina Dohr

I’m joined by author and men’s work coach Jack Donovan for a deep, honest chat about modern masculinity. We get into why strength matters, how weakness is being sold as virtue, and why the idea that we're all "blank slates" might be doing more harm than good. We talk martial arts, the value of tactical virtues, and what honour really means in a world that often dismisses it. Jack also breaks down the meaning behind “far right” labels, internet culture clashes, and how Nietzsche's ideas can actually help when you’re trying to raise strong, grounded boys today. Lots of practical wisdom in this one—whether you're a dad, a mentor, or just figuring out what it means to be a man in 2025. Read more about Jack's work here: jack-donovan.com ------------------------------------------------------ Jack Donovan is a writer and speaker who has spent over a decade exploring masculinity and masculine philosophy. Known for his "gonzo" anthropological approach, he focuses on big ideas and cultural patterns around male identity. His bestselling book The Way of Men has become a go-to read for soldiers, athletes, fathers, and leaders around the world. His latest work, Fire in the Dark, dives into mythic masculine roles and introduces his evolving philosophy of Solar Idealism. Jack is also the founder of the international men’s group The Order of Fire and a frequent guest on podcasts and stages like the 21 Convention. ---------------------------------------------------------- Check out our YouTube channel for more coaching tips and our Podcast channel for full episode videos Uplevel your coaching with a free copy of Mark's latest eBook, The Top 12 Embodiment Coaching Techniques  Join Mark for those juicy in-person workshops and events Fancy some free coaching demo sessions with Mark?  Connect with Mark Walsh on Instagram 

Christian Pankhurst joins me to pick apart the art of emotional intelligence, group dynamics, and embodied leadership. We explore what it really means to live from “the heart,” how safety and coherence shape authentic connection, and why shadow work (especially the uniquely British kind) is essential for transformation. Christian unpacks the four directions of the heart, the relationship between narcissism and emotional range, and the subtle dance between intensity and connection. From trauma and village-making to mastery, martial arts, and the pitfalls of consumer spirituality—this conversation is both soulful and refreshingly practical. Whether you're a coach, a seeker, or just heart-curious, this one’s full of grounded wisdom you can actually use. Find out more about Christian's work here:  Https://www.heartiq.org/cft Https://www.shadowfacilitator.com ------------------------------------------------------ Christian Pankhurst is a leading expert in heart-centered communication and the creator of the Heart IQ™ Method, a transformational approach blending group dynamics, intimacy, and embodied leadership. With over 50,000 hours of circle facilitation, he helps participants access deep emotional and spiritual states through collective wisdom. Christian has trained over 400 coaches in 50 countries, guiding leaders to cultivate inner transformation as the foundation of their influence and presence. His mission is to build a global community that uses circle work to inspire healing, growth, and awakening. ---------------------------------------------------------- Check out our YouTube channel for more coaching tips and our Podcast channel for full episode videos Uplevel your coaching with a free copy of Mark's latest eBook, The Top 12 Embodiment Coaching Techniques  Join Mark for those juicy in-person workshops and events Fancy some free coaching demo sessions with Mark?  Connect with Mark Walsh on Instagram 

Scott Hanley joins me to talk about how he turned the tables on his Parkinson's diagnosis. We explore how mindset, movement, and a willingness to experiment played key roles in his recovery. We also talk about CrossFit, brain health, neuroplasticity, and the social disconnection that’s worsened since COVID. It’s a conversation packed with practical insight, big inspiration, and a reminder that it’s never too late to change the trajectory of your life. Connect with Scott on Instagram here: instagram.com/thrive_happens ------------------------------------------------------ Scott Hanley is a resilience and functional health advocate whose journey with Parkinson’s, diagnosed in 2017, led him to regain 95% of his function through intense physical and cognitive training. A former British Army officer, he now coaches business leaders on mindset, performance, and wellness. Drawing from his personal transformation, Scott empowers others - whether managing chronic illness or navigating high-stress careers - to build resilience and lead with energy and purpose. ---------------------------------------------------------- Check out our YouTube channel for more coaching tips and our Podcast channel for full episode videos Uplevel your coaching with a free copy of Mark's latest eBook, The Top 12 Embodiment Coaching Techniques  Join Mark for those juicy in-person workshops and events Fancy some free coaching demo sessions with Mark?  Connect with Mark Walsh on Instagram 

Our new two-year membership program, Embodied Flourishing, is a supportive and pressure-free space to explore well-being, boundaries, embodiment, and more. Go beyond quick fixes for burnout or health struggles with a journey that empowers you to feel genuinely alive again. No more pushing through day after day. It includes: Carefully paced explorations to foster a deep-rooted sense of wellbeing. Practical tools to sustain health, calm, and meaning during life’s messy moments. Ongoing community support to share experiences, receive feedback, and grow alongside others who “get it.” If you’re ready to start truly enjoying life, Embodied Flourishing might be for you. Find out more and join us here: embodimentunlimited.com/flourish ---------------------------------------------------------- Check out our YouTube channel for more coaching tips and our Podcast channel for full episode videos Uplevel your coaching with a free copy of Mark's latest eBook, The Top 12 Embodiment Coaching Techniques  Join Mark for those juicy in-person workshops and events Fancy some free coaching demo sessions with Mark?  Connect with Mark Walsh on Instagram 

I sit down with my friend and colleague Dr Helen Machen-Pearce for a real, raw conversation about burnout, healing, and what it actually takes to flourish as a human being. I share my personal story - how I pushed myself to the point of physical and emotional collapse, what it took to come back from that, and the lessons I learned the hard way. Helen opens up about her own experience with burnout and recovery, navigating illness and rediscovering herself through yoga and embodiment. Together, we talk about nervous system health, trauma, grief, overwork, purpose, and the quiet power of everyday practices that nourish rather than deplete. Our new two-year membership program, Embodied Flourishing, is a supportive and pressure-free space to explore well-being, boundaries, embodiment, and more. Find out more and join us here: embodimentunlimited.com/flourish Check out more from Dr Helen here: yogarogue.co.uk ---------------------------------------------------------- Check out our YouTube channel for more coaching tips and our Podcast channel for full episode videos Uplevel your coaching with a free copy of Mark's latest eBook, The Top 12 Embodiment Coaching Techniques  Join Mark for those juicy in-person workshops and events Fancy some free coaching demo sessions with Mark?  Connect with Mark Walsh on Instagram 

In this episode, I’m doing one of my not-so-solo solo casts - with Dr Helen Machen-Pearce in the room. We talk the power of nervous system regulation and how co-regulation plays a key role in well-being. This candid conversation dives into mental health, somatic practices, and how we connect as humans. Whether you're a seasoned practitioner or just curious about nervous system healing, this episode offers rich insights. We touch on how we’re building a new membership around this work. Find out more about 'Embodied Flourishing' and join us here: embodimentunlimited.com/flourish Check out more from Dr Helen here: yogarogue.co.uk ---------------------------------------------------------- Check out our YouTube channel for more coaching tips and our Podcast channel for full episode videos Uplevel your coaching with a free copy of Mark's latest eBook, The Top 12 Embodiment Coaching Techniques  Join Mark for those juicy in-person workshops and events Fancy some free coaching demo sessions with Mark?  Connect with Mark Walsh on Instagram 

In this insightful and grounded episode, I’m joined by Leadership Embodiment teacher and coach Anouk Brack to explore how centering and embodied practices can shift the way we lead, work, and relate - especially in high-stress or corporate environments. We unpack the neuroscience of stress and self-regulation, the hidden causes of burnout and bore-out, and how trauma can shape our leadership styles. Anouk shares practical tools drawn from her work with executives and organizations, alongside reflections on Dutch embodiment culture and developmental models of personal growth. Find out more about Anouk's work here: anouka.nl (in Dutch) or anouka.nl/en (in English) ------------------------------------------------------ Anouk Brack, MSc, is the lead trainer for the ICF-accredited Leadership Embodiment Coach Certification programs in Europe. Trained by Wendy Palmer, founder of Leadership Embodiment, she brings over 25 years of experience in leadership development to help leaders integrate presence, confidence, and compassion under pressure. Rooted in mindfulness, aikido, and backed by neuroscience, her approach is clear, playful, and impactful. Anouk has authored three Dutch leadership books, with her first book on Leadership Embodiment currently being translated into English.  ---------------------------------------------------------- Check out our YouTube channel for more coaching tips and our Podcast channel for full episode videos Uplevel your coaching with a free copy of Mark's latest eBook, The Top 12 Embodiment Coaching Techniques  Join Mark for those juicy in-person workshops and events Fancy some free coaching demo sessions with Mark?  Connect with Mark Walsh on Instagram 

Ex-Dutch special forces operator turned breathwork coach Wouter Huizer joins me to discuss masculinity, elite performance, and mastering the nervous system. We get into counter-terrorism, ethics, high-performing teams, anger, discipline, military identity, the “off switch,” up-regulation, insecurity, and refusing the shot. A punchy, masculine, and insightful chat with plenty of laughs and hard-won wisdom. Read more from Wouter here: www.Magniful.nl www.swartgym.nl www.BaseQamp.com ------------------------------------------------------ Wouter Huizer has had a distinguished career in elite military units, including the Marine Corps and the Royal Marechaussee, spanning 24 years. He served as a Special Forces Medic, specialized in urban climbing, and led operational teams through four deployments. Over time, the intense demands of service took a toll on his physical and emotional well-being. Seeking healing, Wouter turned to breathwork and cold exposure, which alleviated his pain and restored his emotional awareness. This transformation led him to study embodiment practices, blending science, ancient traditions, and modern techniques. Now, as a stress regulation specialist at SwartGym, Wouter helps individuals—from elite operators to civilians—enhance resilience, self-awareness, and well-being. He also works with defense units, teaching stress management to optimize physical and mental performance. Wouter’s mission is to guide others toward balance, connection, and inner strength through conscious movement, breathwork, and self-regulation. ---------------------------------------------------------- Check out our YouTube channel for more coaching tips and our Podcast channel for full episode videos Uplevel your coaching with a free copy of Mark's latest eBook, The Top 12 Embodiment Coaching Techniques  Join Mark for those juicy in-person workshops and events Fancy some free coaching demo sessions with Mark?  Connect with Mark Walsh on Instagram 

Zen teacher and mindfulness pioneer Fleet Maull joins me for a deep dive into neurosomatic mindfulness, bearing witness, and the science of awakening. We discuss plunge practices, time in prison, the nuances of running summits, and the shift from the 60s to the 90s in spiritual culture. Fleet shares insights on trauma, self-regulation, the five neural networks of enlightenment, and “practice stacking.” We also explore the balance between conceptual and embodied mindfulness, the pitfalls of spiritual materialism, and what neuroscience reveals about awakening. A thoughtful, full-spectrum conversation for meditators and seekers alike. Read more about Fleet's work here: heartmind.co & fleetmaull.com ------------------------------------------------------ Author, meditation teacher, and social entrepreneur Fleet Maull, PhD, developed Neuro-Somatic Mindfulness (NSM), a deeply embodied, neuroscience and trauma-informed approach to meditation offering an accelerated path to healing & awakening. He is both a Zen roshi and a senior teacher in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. He founded Heart Mind Institute, #578 on the 2024 Inc. 5000 list, a transformational education platform for self-actualization and life mastery training courses and summits.  He also founded Prison Mindfulness Institute and National Prison Hospice Association, catalyzing two national movements, while serving a 14-year sentence, 1985 to 1999.  Dr. Maull is the author of Radical Responsibility: How to Move Beyond Blame, Fearlessly Live Your Highest Purpose and Become an Unstoppable Force for Good. ------------------------------------------------------ Check out our YouTube channel for more coaching tips and our Podcast channel for full episode videos Uplevel your coaching with a free copy of Mark's latest eBook, The Top 12 Embodiment Coaching Techniques  Join Mark for those juicy in-person workshops and events Fancy some free coaching demo sessions with Mark?  Connect with Mark Walsh on Instagram 

The Warrior Philosopher joins me for a dive deep into the intersection of philosophy, masculinity, and the struggle for meaning in the modern world. Drawing on Nietzsche, Mishima, and the ideals of the warrior poet, we explore how strength, aesthetics, and discipline shape a life of purpose. We also discuss the alienation of modern men, the consequences of comfort and decadence, and why rediscovering struggle might be the key to a deeper existence. What does it mean to live with virtue? How do we balance strength and beauty? And is there still a place for aristocratic values in a world obsessed with mediocrity? A must-listen for anyone interested in philosophy, masculinity, and the search for something more. Check out The Warrior Philosopher on YouTube here: youtube.com/@thewarriorphilosopher ------------------------------------------------------ The Warrior Philosopher, Patrick Saltykov, is a Marine Veteran, writer and content creator who has recently written his first novel Promethean Dreams. His interest in philosophy  is specialized on thinkers such as Friedrich Nietzsche, Ernst Jünger and Yukio Mishima. ------------------------------------------------------ Check out our YouTube channel for more coaching tips and our Podcast channel for full episode videos Uplevel your coaching with a free copy of Mark's latest eBook, The Top 12 Embodiment Coaching Techniques  Join Mark for those juicy in-person workshops and events Fancy some free coaching demo sessions with Mark?  Connect with Mark Walsh on Instagram