December 19, 2024
How to Align, Even When You Disagree: Lessons in Leadership and Trust
Collaboration isn’t always easy, especially when you’re working with people who challenge your ideas, approach, or even your values. However, I’ve learned that some of the most transformative growth happens when we embrace the tension, lean into discomfort, and seek alignment rather than agreement. Whether in competitive sports, business, or life, true collaboration requires a […]
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December 12, 2024
Preparing for an Uncertain Future Without Fear
Life has an uncanny way of presenting opportunities for growth when we least expect it. Over the past week, I found myself in diverse and transformative spaces, from addressing seasoned business leaders to witnessing the raw potential of youth leaders. Along the way, I was reminded of a fundamental truth: how we show up in […]
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December 5, 2024
How to Embrace Differences Without Losing Connection
In a world increasingly divided by politics, gender, and identity, I’ve been reflecting on the concept of equality. It’s a topic fraught with complexity and emotion, but it’s also one that has the power to unite—or divide—us deeply. The truth is, I don’t see equality as something that fits neatly into a box. Equality isn’t […]
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November 28, 2024
What Are We Really Fighting For? Navigating Relationship Conflicts
Relationships come with their fair share of disagreements. After years of navigating the ups and downs of marriage, I’ve learned that conflicts are inevitable—but they aren’t necessarily bad. The real challenge isn’t avoiding fights but understanding what’s beneath them. Often, it’s not about the dirty laundry, the missed text, or even forgetting an anniversary. The […]
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November 21, 2024
Finding Clarity in a Politically Charged World
In today’s world, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the constant stream of political and media-driven noise. With so much focus on what’s going wrong, it’s tempting to get caught up in the drama, especially when it comes to political changes in countries like the U.S. that inevitably ripple into our lives here in Canada. […]
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November 14, 2024
5 Essential Keys to Thriving in a Partnership
Navigating life together with your partner—especially if you work together—brings unique challenges. It’s not always easy, but I’ve learned that real strength in a relationship isn’t about avoiding disagreements or trying to blend into one person’s approach. It’s about maintaining respect, clarity, and resilience through the ups and downs. In our partnership, Steffany and I […]
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November 7, 2024
Life Transitions: Rediscovering Our True Selves
Who are we if not for the roles we fill? It’s a question that has surfaced time and again, especially when I speak with people in transition. Whether they’re retiring, transitioning to an empty nest, or leaving behind long-time careers, the uncertainty about who they are beyond these roles can be unsettling. Many find their […]
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October 31, 2024
Focusing on the White Space: Overcoming Negative Self-Talk
Have you ever found yourself focusing on just one small thing that’s going wrong, to the point that it becomes the center of your thoughts? Imagine a blank sheet of paper with a tiny black dot in the center. Despite all the vast white space surrounding it, our minds gravitate to that single dot, zoning […]
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October 17, 2024
Unlocking the Cage: How to Break Free from Guilt and Shame
I’ve worked with countless people over the years, and one thing I’ve noticed is how often we hold ourselves back. We get stuck in invisible cages—self-imposed limits created by feelings of guilt, shame, and regret. These emotions can become so ingrained that we don’t even realize they’re shaping our decisions, behaviors, and overall approach to […]
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October 10, 2024
The Two Wolves: How Your Thoughts Shape Your Reality
In today’s fast-paced and unpredictable world, we all face moments where our mindset is put to the test. The story of the two wolves—a tale of the battle between negative emotions like anger and envy, and positive qualities like love and compassion—resonates deeply. It reminds us that our mindset, the thoughts and beliefs we choose […]
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October 3, 2024
Success, Failure, and Everything In Between: Learning From Life’s Paradoxes
Life is full of paradoxes. We often think we know what’s best, but sometimes what seems like a curse turns out to be a blessing, and what we perceive as a blessing can carry hidden challenges. It’s this uncertainty that makes life so dynamic and unpredictable. Learning to accept that two opposing things can exist […]
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September 26, 2024
The Power of Community, Culture, and Environment
This past weekend, I was reminded of something essential: the power of community, culture, and environment in shaping our mindset and success. We often hear about the importance of surrounding ourselves with like-minded people, but it’s not just a cliché—it’s a fundamental strategy for growth and resilience, especially during challenging times. Over the years, I’ve […]
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September 19, 2024
Overcoming Imposter Syndrome: Embrace Your True Potential
For much of my life, I’ve wrestled with imposter syndrome—the feeling that I wasn’t qualified enough or that sooner or later, I’d be exposed as a fraud. Despite reaching significant milestones, whether in business or coaching, the doubt would creep in, whispering, “You don’t deserve this.” It’s a familiar voice for many of us, especially […]
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September 12, 2024
Embracing Life’s Unexpected Lessons: The Three Ps and a Frozen Bird
Life has a funny way of throwing curveballs at us, doesn’t it? One moment, you’re soaring high with ambition and joy, and the next, you’re knocked to the ground by an unforeseen challenge. It’s in these moments of struggle, when we feel frozen in place, that we have the opportunity to learn some of the […]
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September 3, 2024
When You Change the Way You Look at Things, The Things You Look at Change
In life, we often find ourselves caught in cycles of routine, reacting to the world around us without truly understanding how our perceptions shape our reality. A quote by Dr. Wayne Dyer has resonated with me for years: “When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.” This simple […]
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August 29, 2024
Are You Still Rowing? The Balance of Effort in Relationships
As we wrap up the summer, I find myself reflecting on the dynamics of relationships, especially in the context of the times we live in. This past season has been full of joy, travel, and connection, but it’s also brought to light some important insights about how we navigate our relationships, both personal and professional. […]
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August 22, 2024
The Power of Delayed Gratification: Steffany’s Journey to True Victory
I’ve always admired my wife, Steffany Hanlen-Francey, for her incredible dedication and the profound impact she has on the athletes she coaches. Over the years, I’ve seen her pour everything into helping others reach their highest potential. But one recent experience stands out as a testament to her commitment and the power of delayed gratification. […]
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August 15, 2024
Trusting the Process: Olympic Lessons and the Power of Patience
This past week, I’ve been reflecting on an extraordinary experience that combined some of my deepest beliefs about mindset, patience, and the importance of staying present in the moment. The experience centers around the recent Summer Olympics in Paris, where the athletes that my wife, Steffany, coaches in figure skating finally received their long-awaited medals […]
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August 8, 2024
Generosity in Practice: Lessons on Giving and Receiving
Today, I want to talk about something that’s been on my mind: generosity. Steffany and I are often recognized for our generosity, and while it’s not something we consciously think about, it’s just part of who we are. However, I’ve noticed that our generosity can sometimes lead to unintended consequences. One thing that stands out […]
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May 16, 2024
Embracing Mindset Matters: A Deep Dive into Leadership and Personal Growth
The Importance of Mindset in Leadership Today, I explore six key strategies for leaders, developed by a group of Harvard-educated business experts. These strategies are designed to foster organizational resilience and growth amidst global crises. The strategies include: Self-Care First Lead with Value Seek Opportunities Reassess Purpose Redefine Winning Create Energy • Self-Care First Self-care […]
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May 9, 2024
Understanding Discipline and Habits: A Personal Perspective
When it comes to personal growth and achieving our goals, understanding the difference between habits and discipline is crucial. Often, we think of habits as automatic behaviors, but I believe that many of what we consider habits are actually manifestations of discipline. Discipline, in my view, isn’t just about following a set of rules or […]
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April 25, 2024
Work-Life Balance: The Myth and Reality
Many people often express that they lack work-life balance, carrying stress, judgment, or disappointment around it. I’m here to bust that myth and explore what work-life balance really means. To me, striving for work-life balance is a misguided effort. It’s not about dividing time equally between work and personal life, but about being fully present […]
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April 22, 2024
Clarity Equals Velocity: Accelerating Towards Your Truest Self
In the fast-paced landscape of 2024, where every decision feels urgent and every moment seems filled with distractions, clarity isn’t just a luxury—it’s the fuel that propels us forward with velocity. In this dynamic era, clarity isn’t just a destination; it’s the speed at which we navigate through life, driving us towards our true purpose […]
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February 2, 2024
Embracing Growth: A Journey from Fear to Love
Navigating the uncharted waters of our global economy and the storm of our inner emotions, I’ve come to realize that the journey of personal and professional growth is much like sailing against the current. It’s during my recent conversation with Jeff Booth, author of his bestselling book “The Price of Tomorrow,” that I found a […]
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January 3, 2024
Backpack Chronicles: Sorting Life’s Experiences for a Purposeful 2024
As we stand at the starting line of a new year, it’s an ideal time for introspection and forward planning. In a recent Mindset Matters podcast discussion with Steffany she offered some interesting and profound insights into this process. We’ve decided on a central theme for 2024 which is that “Clarity equals velocity,” because for […]
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