The Flow Cycle Every Founder Should Master w/ Micah Shanser (Ep. 84)

Are you navigating a sudden business crisis, feeling burned out, or wondering how to rebuild when everything you worked for shifts overnight?Meet Micah Shanser, the Founder & CEO of OPTML, a company focused on brain health and unlocking human performance through flow-based, non-invasive approaches. Micah has worked with clinics, elite athletes, and U.S. Special Forces to improve resilience, decision-making, and peak performance.Here’s what you’ll gain from this conversation: ● The four stages of the Flow Cycle: Struggle → Release → Flow → Recovery ● Why recovery is both the starting point and the end point of sustainable high performance ● How to design weekly “flow triggers” that increase your probability of entering peak states ● Why adaptability can outperform scale when competing against much larger organizations ● How to build businesses that align with energy, family, and long-term vitality, not just revenueGet present and get ready as we kick off the episode with a defining story from Micah’s life.Flow through distractions and get precious work done with our community: https://centered.app/g/grind-less-flow-more-group?from=grindlessflowmore Find the links to resources mentioned on our website: https://grindlessflowmore.com/Follow Grind Less Flow More and its community:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grindlessflowmore/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grind-less-flow-more/

Are you looking to pivot careers or get involved in raising capital for Real Estate? Meet August Biniaz, Chief Investment Officer and co-founder of CPI Capital, who leads the firm’s mission to preserve and grow investor capital through strategic real estate investments.What you may find most insightful from our deep conversation are the following:How to repurpose your contacts and existing skills from a previous career to transition somewhat seamlessly into one that involves raising capital for real estate How to break into real estate private equity, especially if you don’t come from money or have big Rolodexes. How to balance building a business with your romantic partner.We also cover how to level up your relationships and speak the language of an investor in order to raise more capital and gain trust, along with the systems behind thatGet present and get ready as we kick off the episode with a defining story from August’s life.Flow through distractions and get precious work done with our community: https://centered.app/g/grind-less-flow-more-group?from=grindlessflowmore Find the links to resources mentioned on our website: https://grindlessflowmore.com/Follow Grind Less Flow More and its community:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grindlessflowmore/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grind-less-flow-more/

Are you someone in film, not-for-profits, or a leader with an itch to infuse your city with more culture? Meet Leonard Schein, a dear mentor to me and many others. He’s best known for founding the Vancouver International Film Festival and for helping strengthen the sustainability of Toronto International Film Festival during a pivotal time. He entered the film business in Vancouver in 1978 and went on to operate several iconic theatres across the city.What you may find most insightful from our deep conversation are the following:How creatives can unlock government and donor supportWhere media and cities like Vancouver must evolve in an AI-driven worldWhy letting go and trusting others helped his businesses thriveThe mindset behind a lifetime of impact and entrepreneurshipGet present and get ready as we kick off the episode with a defining story from Leonard’s life.Flow through distractions and get precious work done with our community: https://centered.app/g/grind-less-flow-more-group?from=grindlessflowmore Find the links to resources mentioned on our website: https://grindlessflowmore.com/Follow Grind Less Flow More and its community:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grindlessflowmore/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grind-less-flow-more/

Are you a real estate developer or simply someone interested in seeing how a co-living residence can enrich your social life while making living costs more affordable? Meet Robert Barnard. He's a co-founder of Toboggan Flats based in Canada, which delivers affordable, purpose-built co-living by transforming vacant office spaces into modern shared housing for young professionals—right in the downtown areas where they want to live, work, and play.What you may find most insightful from our deep conversation are the following:How co-living works to help make housing more affordable and reduce loneliness in Canada.How top co-living places from across the globe are building tenant experiences with their design, amenities, and unique programming.His 24-hour rule on how to get over a major setback with grief and then resilience.How young adults can make the best of their formative years to redefine what feeling stable really means before they can follow their entrepreneurial dreams or start a family.Get present and get ready to transport yourself back in time as we kick the episode off with a defining story in Rob’s life.Flow through distractions and get precious work done with our community: https://centered.app/g/grind-less-flow-more-group?from=grindlessflowmore Find the links to resources mentioned on our website: https://grindlessflowmore.com/Follow Grind Less Flow More and its community:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grindlessflowmore/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grind-less-flow-more/

Are you passionate about real estate or the art of creation? Meet Dima Itskovich — a visionary developer and philanthropist based on Vancouver Island. Over his career, Dima has been involved in more than $500 million worth of development projects under Axiom Bosa and his own ventures.What you might find most valuable from our deep conversation includes the following: Tracing your family roots — especially when they stem from hardship — can fuel your courage and generosity.Stepping out on your own after learning from industry leaders can redefine your purpose and independence.Leading a development project (or any investor-backed initiative) with a clear sense of purpose creates alignment, trust, and lasting impact.Get present and get ready to transport yourself back in time as we kick the episode off with a defining story in Dima’s life.Flow through distractions and get precious work done with our community: https://centered.app/g/grind-less-flow-more-group?from=grindlessflowmore Find the links to resources mentioned on our website: https://grindlessflowmore.com/Follow Grind Less Flow More and its community:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grindlessflowmore/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grind-less-flow-more/

Do you find yourself torn between the fear of debt and the belief that it could actually fuel your growth? Meet Baharak Beikoghli, the Owner of wellness co-working spot, Werklab Inc. Baharak has worked in the wellness space for years and now is integrating holistic wellness into our day to day work lives.What you might find most valuable from our deep conversation includes the following: How to build courage as a young mom when it feels like life is falling apart.Why reframing debt as a leveraged tool instead of a liability is crucial especially if you want to buy a business like she did.How a business that leverages community can be your secret weapon to learn quickly and meet inspiring people - without relying on networking events. Get present and get ready to transport yourself back in time as we kick the episode off with a defining story in Baharak’s life.Flow through distractions and get precious work done with our community: https://centered.app/g/grind-less-flow-more-group?from=grindlessflowmore Find the links to resources mentioned on our website: https://grindlessflowmore.com/Follow Grind Less Flow More and its community:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grindlessflowmore/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grind-less-flow-more/

Are you a leader quietly carrying more than you let on, with burnout creeping in, loneliness draining you, and a fear it might cost you your health and future success? Meet Cole Nakatani, a social entrepreneur, educator, and certified professional coach. Cole has worked with leaders and organizations across the spectrum: from scrappy startup founders to senior executives, from social enterprises to public institutions. He helps people remember they’re not machines, and guides them back to their unique human gifts and deeper wells of energy. In fact, he was the coach who helped me grind less and flow more. That shift gave our team the clarity and capacity to create the very podcast you’re listening to now.What you might find most valuable from our deep conversation includes the following: How to recognize when burnout is creeping up on you before you feel trappedHow Cole (and you) can navigate mental health challenges while building a businessThe art of pausing during the day to stay focused and energizedWhy energy management is more important than time managementHow the power of community and deeper relationships with the right people can serve as guardrails to keep you healthy, happy, and courageous enough to infuse social good into your life and workGet present and get ready to transport yourself back in time as we kick the episode off with a defining story in Cole’s life.Flow through distractions and get precious work done with our community: https://centered.app/g/grind-less-flow-more-group?from=grindlessflowmore Find the links to resources mentioned on our website: https://grindlessflowmore.com/Follow Grind Less Flow More and its community:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grindlessflowmore/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grind-less-flow-more/

As a leader, are you feeling like your childhood trauma is affecting how you show up to your stakeholders and the most important people in your life? Meet Chad McFarlin. He is a business consultant, coach, and entrepreneur who’s led award-winning projects for global brands like Nintendo and Electronic Arts, helped telecom giants like TELUS and Bell launch innovative products, and supported companies in scaling to hundreds of millions in revenue.What you may find most insightful from our deep talk are the following:How sometimes your biggest successes can backfire if you don’t credit and appreciate others honestly.Why you should be extra aware of what you complain about and what you tend to avoid.How to get into the growing trend of men’s work and how it can help you level up.How to build courage and resilience with daily practice.Get present and get ready to transport yourself back in time as we kick the episode off with a defining story in Chad’s life.Flow through distractions and get precious work done with our community: https://centered.app/g/grind-less-flow-more-group?from=grindlessflowmore Find the links to resources mentioned on our website: https://grindlessflowmore.com/Follow Grind Less Flow More and its community:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grindlessflowmore/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grind-less-flow-more/

What happens when you achieve one of the biggest exits in Canadian DTC history—only to feel completely lost afterward? Meet Aaron Spivak, a 29-year-old Canadian serial entrepreneur, former elite hockey player, public speaker, and startup advisor, who co-founded Revitasize at 18 years old, and the founder of The Founders Club. What you might find most inspiring from our conversation today are the following:  The definition of the three layers of networking and why the third—often overlooked—is the most crucial for building deep, lasting relationships.How to strengthen self-integrity by planning your day the night before to build confidence and momentum.Why sharing credit with your team empowers them to take on more responsibility willingly, rather than with resistance.How to lead and live from a full cup—creating space to serve others without burnout, and embracing a mindset of giving back and paying it forward.Flow through distractions and get precious work done with our community: https://centered.app/g/grind-less-flow-more-group?from=grindlessflowmore Find the links to resources mentioned on our website: https://grindlessflowmore.com/Follow Grind Less Flow More and its community:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grindlessflowmore/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grind-less-flow-more/

In this special 75th episode, host Paul Davidescu shares a visionary take on work-life integration—how to design a life where wellness, productivity, and social connection flow naturally. Plus, insights from Jordan Tait and Chris Blachut on how they crafted their ideal rhythms for sustainable success.What you might find most inspiring from this episode are the following:  The myth of "work-life balance" vs. the power of work-life integrationA step-by-step walkthrough of a "magical Monday", designed for joy, connection, and effectivenessThe role of community and environment in reducing stress and increasing flowHow your daily rhythms can make peak performance feel human and joyfulWisdom from guests Jordan Tait and Chris Blachut on living life intentionallyA look into Flow Spaces—living environments engineered for well-being and productivityFlow through distractions and get precious work done with our community: https://centered.app/g/grind-less-flow-more-group?from=grindlessflowmore Find the links to resources mentioned on our website: https://grindlessflowmore.com/Follow Grind Less Flow More and its community:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grindlessflowmore/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grind-less-flow-more/