The Unbeatable Mind Podcast With Mark Divine

This week on The Unbeatable Mind, host Mark Divine dives into another key commitment to forging elite, high performance teams—-respect. It holds the power to unlock massive potential, both in ourselves and those we lead.    Drawing from his Navy SEAL experience, Mark shares compelling stories of leadership, integrity, and collaboration. He highlights what true respect looks like in action, whether it is welcoming new players like the Marines into the Special Operations community, or making tough, high-integrity decisions under pressure.    He provides valuable insight into cultivating authenticity, clarity, and trust, which are the building blocks of genuine respect—-and details why these “soft skills” are true superpowers in today’s fast paced world.    Key Takeaways:  Radical Authenticity: Understand why the most respected leaders lead with humility, admit when they’re wrong, and always stay real. This creates genuine connection and fosters a culture of mutual respect. Clarity Conquers Pressure: Discove

  It’s no secret that everyone has experienced anxiety at some point or another. For some, it’s surmountable, but for others it may be severe enough to interfere with their quality of life. For Daniel Packard, it was a personal battle with the severe variety that inspired him to create Permanent Anxiety Solutions, an innovative program that addresses anxiety at the root—-the nervous system.    This week on The Unbeatable Mind, Mark Divine sits down with Daniel to dive into Daniel’s story of overcoming people-pleasing, anxiety, and perfectionism, and the discoveries he made while developing his program. Daniel reveals that these issues all have a shared root in fear and an unhealthy nervous system, and provides insights on how daily, practical care of the nervous system can lead to lasting change.    Daniel and Mark expose the shortcomings of the trillion dollar “improvement industrial complex”, and explain why most personal development programs fail to deliver permanent results. Lastly, Daniel details his lat

  This week’s guest on The Unbeatable Mind is a true, living, breathing example of how success can only come through hard work. Coming from truly humble beginnings, Tommy Mello talks to Mark Divine this week about how he’s turned the seemingly innocuous garage door industry into a powerhouse currently set to surpass $100 million EBIDTA.    Tommy shares how he built and scaled his business from the ground up. From mowing lawns as a teenager in Michigan, to hiring top talent and building a world-class team, Tommy reveals the strategies that got him to the position he finds himself in today. He and Mark discuss leveraging equity incentive programs, fostering a culture in which staff can thrive, and Tommy’s “build to sell” philosophy.    They also get personal, discussing the ups and downs that come with rapid financial success, learning the art of delegation, and the toll of “the grind.” Tommy gives his candid take on money, legacy, and health routines, and dives into the future of blue-collar work in an AI driv

The digital age has brought about a host of challenges to individuals and organizations that would have been inconceivable only years ago. This week on The Unbeatable Mind, Mark Divine talks to Dr. Eric Cole, a former CIA hacker and celebrated authority on cybersecurity. Eric guides listeners through the rapidly changing landscape of cyber threats, digital security and advancements in artificial intelligence.    Eric uncovers the tactics that cybercriminals—-sometimes state sponsored—-use to target businesses and individuals alike. He’ll explain how these criminals are leveraging new technology to do more than just steal money, but in fact harvest voices, identities, and trust.    In addition, Dr. Cole offers practical safeguards for identifying scam attempts and delves into the importance of using apps from trusted sources, and having out-of-band communication with family.  He and Mark dissect the way AI is challenging us to reckon with a future where machines may outperform humans in decision making and str

Today on the Unbeatable Mind, Mark Divine is diving deep into the first of the seven commitments necessary to forge elite teams—--courage. Mark, drawing from his Navy SEAL background, breaks down the foundational importance of courage—--and why it serves as a crucial gateway to the higher energies of growth, acceptance, and love.    Mark reveals how courage is not just about charging forward, but rather about the willingness to face our deepest fears, embrace risk, and refuse to stay in our comfort zone. He provides actionable strategies for cultivating courage, like practicing the art of letting go, or simulating challenging scenarios through what he calls “reality-based training”.    Mark candidly reflects on the ongoing struggle with ego, vulnerability, and the power of forgiveness. Delving into the importance of aligning one’s daily actions with their greater purpose and principles, Mark highlights how leading yourself and others through adversity sometimes means walking away from old environments and rel

Successful teams don’t just happen. In this week’s episode of The Unbeatable Mind, Mark is going solo (with his daughter Catherine joining for an insightful Q & A), to break down his acclaimed “seven commitments” model for building elite teams.    Drawing from his extensive Navy SEAL experience, Mark dives into the principles of courage, trust, respect, growth, resilience, excellence, and alignment. He explores why true elite teams aren’t about being better people, but by fostering intentional behaviours and growth.    Mark discusses how resistance to change can be a common pitfall in the building of strong teams, and the power of collective development not only in work, but in life. In order to achieve growth as a collective, honest communication and respect are paramount.    Key Takeaways:  The Fundamentality of Courage: Listen as Mark draws on personal experience from the SEALs, to illustrate how true courage within teams isn’t about bravado, but humility.    Growth Is Non-Negotiable: Realize tha

Work with Mark Divine: Are you ready to become an UNBEATABLE LEADER? Mark Divine is opening just 3 VIP spots for a 6-month, hands-on coaching experience where you’ll build SEAL-level discipline, master the 5 Mountains & 5 Plateaus, and design a life you truly love. This isn’t for everyone—only those who refuse to settle for anything less than excellence. Apply now at markdivine.com/coaching and schedule your discovery call.   Welcome back to The Unbeatable Mind! This week, Mark is joined by Charles Schwartz and co-host Catherine Divine for a deep dive into the art of self-transformation, leadership, and adapting to rapid change in the age of AI.   Charles shares his remarkable personal evolution—shaped by years working in hospice care—and how confronting mortality shattered his illusions of ego and brute-force ambition. The conversation uncovers how our deepest limiting beliefs and survival strategies—often rooted in childhood trauma—can either hold us back or be integrated as sources of wisdom and growt

Emotional Intelligence–or EQ is now more vital than ever. In today’s episode of The Unbeatable Mind, Mark’s daughter Catherine is sitting down for a candid and insightful discussion about emotional development and the evolving landscape of leadership in a world that’s becoming more dominated by AI.    Catherine and Mark explore the limitations of traditional leadership models that prioritize IQ over EQ, touching on how emotional awareness, self-control, and the oft-overlooked concept of “us” in relationships are fundamental aspects of effective leadership. Drawing from their personal experiences, Mark and Catherine dissect the energy of emotions, the mind-body connection, and the importance of radical self-acceptance.    Together, Mark and Catherine emphasize that real growth does not happen in isolation, it’s our most challenging interactions through the emotional landscape that we become better leaders, teammates, and people.    Key Takeaways:  Relational Development: Discover how the most impactful growt

  Today on the Unbeatable Mind, Mark Divine sits down with acclaimed journalist and author Henry Abbott to dive into the fascinating world of athletic performance, resilience, and the hidden science of injury prevention! Fresh off the release of his new book Ballistic: The New Science of Injury Free Athletic Performance, Henry is chock full of insights from top athletes and breakthrough research from some of the world’s top sports labs.  Mark shares with Henry the details of his recent snowmobile accident, offering a jumping off point for Henry to explore how our bodies and brains adapt and heal. The pair delve into the power of voice and breath work, and why movement is the ultimate key to longevity.  Additionally, Henry shares incredible stories from the front lines of professional sports, including insights on how elite athletes have been able to sidestep potentially career-ending injuries. He and Mark touch on the often overlooked role of play and joy in athleticism, and Henry shares his remarkable findin

  The world of digital entrepreneurship and social media marketing is fast paced and growing more than ever. Today, on The Unbeatable Mind, Mark Divine is talking to digital marketing powerhouse, Logan Forsyth! At only 27 years old, Logan has grown his company, Media Scaling, to over 100 employees in just two years!    Logan shares his journey from starting in the industry as a high school student, to the incredible position he finds himself in today. He and Mark explore the essence of leadership in the modern world, discussing how important it is to set one’s ego aside and foster an environment of open feedback.    Whilst digging into how the media landscape has shifted, Logan touches on how making short form video content has become an invaluable tool in reaching audiences. Lastly, he tells Mark on how he believes his obsessiveness to be a superpower that fuels his pursuit of excellence is such a cutthroat industry. Logan’s insights will not only help those interested in the fascinating world of digital mar

On this week’s episode of The Unbeatable Mind, Mark Divine shares his compelling and personal tale of resilience of the recent snowmobile accident that left him with serious injuries and a harrowing journey towards recovery.    Shortly after completing his PhD in Global Leadership & Change, Mark accepted an invitation to explore Northern Quebec by way of a snowmobiling adventure. The would-be rejuvenating experience soon turned into a test of resilience and fortitude, leaving Mark with multiple fractures and a punctured lung.    Mark shares these details not solely for the purpose of recounting a personal story, but to explore the pivotal role his extensive training and mindset played on the road to healing. He dives into the techniques he uses—-from advanced visualization to staying physically active to the extent of his recovery capacity. In addition, Mark explores alternative healing methods, like peptides and the potential use of stem cells to illustrate a holistic approach to healing.   Mark provides

This week on The Unbeatable Mind, Mark Divine once again dives into the Five Mountains of Personal Development, this time introducing listeners to the profound concept of “Kokoro”-----the integration of heart and mind into one’s actions!    All while encouraging a holistic approach to living life authentically and purposefully, Mark examines the Western tendency towards constant achievement and external validation. He proposes instead a journey that prioritizes inner peace and well-being, bringing our ambitions into a state of harmony with our core values.    Mark shares practical insights into connecting with our life’s purpose following the three P’s: purpose, passion, and principles—-providing tools for self-reflection that help align our life’s actions with our ultimate calling!   Key Takeaways: Kokoro: Uniting The Heart & Mind: Understand the balance between gaining and letting go. Learn how achieving one’s highest capacity involves not only striving for accomplishment, but surrendering certain bel

  Believe it or not, communication is about far more than just the words one speaks. This week’s guest on The Unbeatable Mind, communication expert Michael Hoeppner, argues that much like dance or martial arts, communication is a full-body act.    As a world-recognized expert on public speaking, Michael, along with Mark, sheds light on the Navy SEALS’ powerful spirit shout “Hoo Ya”, and how it embodies the physical essence of communication. Together they explore the intricacies of vocal variety, focusing on the significance of pace, pitch, pause, power, and placement, in the delivery of dynamic speech.  Michael digs into practical exercises one can use to overcome some common pitfalls in effective communication. He details how these exercises can transform one’s communication skills to ensure that their messages will be impactful and memorable.    Lastly, he and  Mark touch upon the art of storytelling and the use of poetic devices in crafting narratives that stick with those that listen. Whether speaking in

On this episode of The Unbeatable Mind, Mark Divine continues his journey into the world of Five Mountain Development, this time highlighting the key role intuition plays in human development.    Drawing from his experiences in the SEAL teams, the corporate world, and his personal meditation practice, Mark explores three types of intuition: instinctual, emphatic, and insightful. Whether it’s life-saving instincts on the firing range, or heart-driven insights whilst traversing a dangerous crevasse, Mark’s experience with intuition is not only deeply personal, but has played a crucial role in his life. Thankfully, this allows Mark to provide practical techniques for one to cultivate intuition—drawn from ancient traditions and mindfulness practices. These techniques can not only enhance awareness and presence, but are essential in a world characterized by rapidly evolving technology.   Key Topics Include: Types of Intuition: Listen to Mark cover the three types of intuition—-instinctual (gut), emphatic (heart)

Continuing from part one of Mark Divine’s deep dive into the Emotional Mountain (a crucial but often difficult to integrate tenet of Five Mountain Development), this episode of The Unbeatable Mind finds Mark examining the profound impact emotions have on physical and mental well-being.    From the complex interplay of emotions, mental processes, and physical states to a concept called The Default Mode Network (a key player in conditioned emotional responses), Mark leaves no stone unturned in his discussion of the most intricate of the Five Mountains. Struggling with how to identify and manage emotional patterns? Mark shares insightful strategies for how to do so—-like one he calls the ‘WIRM’ process. Additionally, he explores the psychological approaches of some of the most influential thinkers of all time, such as Freud, Jung, and Richard Schwartz. This is a deep dive that offers incredibly valuable perspectives on the ever-so-challenging process of emotional work.    Key Topics Include: Embracing Courage

Welcome to another episode of The Unbeatable Mind podcast with Mark Divine. This week, we’re continuing the journey through Five Mountain Development. In this episode, the spotlight is on the Emotional Mountain, often a stumbling block for many on their personal growth journey. Mark shares his personal experiences and insights, revealing how emotional development is integral to overall well-being. From therapy to mindfulness practices, he explains the significance of understanding and overcoming deep-seated emotional patterns. Whether you're a seasoned seeker or new to personal development, this episode offers valuable perspectives and practical advice on navigating the emotional terrain.    Tune in as we continue on this transformative journey towards self-discovery and empowerment.   Key Topics Include: Emotions as Physical-Mental Integration: Mark emphasizes that emotions are felt experiences combining bodily sensations with mental interpretations. They cannot be separated from physical and mental develo

In this continuation of his discussion on the Mental Mountain, Mark Divine expands on his earlier episode about mental training within his Five Mountains framework (Physical, Mental, Emotional, Intuitional, and Spiritual). He delves deeper into various meditation techniques and mental training practices, drawing from his personal experiences with Zen training and military preparation.    Throughout the episode, Mark outlines several key mental skills, including arousal control through breathing, attention control using box-breathing techniques, and the development of mindfulness. These practices help practitioners immensely to recognize that they are not their thoughts, enabling them to break free from limiting mental patterns.   Look no further than this episode for practical guidance on how to incorporate these training techniques into your daily routine so you can succeed in mastering your mental mountain!   Key Topics Include:   Arousal Control & Attention Control: Mark explains how nostril breathin

In his second episode focusing on the Five Mountains of Development, Mark Divine builds off the foundational pillar of physical health to dive into the importance of mental training—-AKA “The Mental Mountain”. Mark outlines how conventional learning methods often fail to unlock one’s true potential—an idea he’s experienced firsthand during his journey from traditional education to discovering Zen Buddhism. Throughout his deep exploration of mental development, Mark guides listeners towards greater concentration, and the ability to perceive information beyond the confines of traditional thinking.  Key Takeaways: Going Beyond Traditional Education: Listen to Mark recount his journey from traditional education to focusing on mental development. No more would he focus on cramming knowledge, but rather, enhancing his cognitive abilities. Power of Meditation: It’s not just about stillness—but rather breaking free from conditioned patterns and achieving what Mark calls—”mental freedom”!  Enhancing Creativity a

Can a single conversation radically transform a relationship? This week’s guest on The Unbeatable Mind, former film director and founder of experience design studio ‘The Skin Deep’, Topaz Adizes certainly thinks so.    After years in the film industry, Topaz found himself asking the question, “how is the emotional experience of being human shifting in light of all this technology?” Embracing this question prompted him to found ‘The Skin Deep’, an experience design studio formed to help people form deeper connections with the most important people in their life. Together, Topaz and Mark  delve into the concept of deep listening and the nuances of forming deep connections through the power of well-constructed questions.    Topaz details the transformative potential of sitting with discomfort, and discusses a topic he clearly has much familiarity with, the unique art of storytelling. The nature of human interaction runs deep and is multifaceted, but Topaz contains profound insights and asks equally profound ques

This week on The Unbeatable Mind, Catherine Divine returns to discuss the second of the five mountains—-the ‘mental mountain!’ This mountain serves as a pathway towards developing important skills like creativity, compassion, intuition, and insight.    Together, Mark and Catherine explore the many intricacies of the mind, and delve into concepts like critical thinking and cognitive bias. They muse on the development of uniquely human skills—skills that are without a doubt essential for thriving in the age of artificial intelligence. Practical techniques—-such as box breathing and mindfulness are discussed as practices to assist in taming one’s ‘monkey mind’, and developing a focussed and resilient mental state.    Key Takeaways: Cognitive Bias & Critical Thinking: Understand the filters placed upon our mind by social conditioning and the limits of our own perception—-and how this relates to thinking critically. Developing Mental Discipline: Learn various practical techniques to apply in the developmen