Champion Mindset Collective

What do blockbuster films like Independence Day, Star Trek, Transformers, and Die Hard have in common with modern engineering and software teams?More than you think.In this episode of the Champion Mindset Collective, host Anthony Dahya sits down with Steven Puri, former DreamWorks and 20th Century Fox executive and Founder of The Sukha Company, to unpack the behind-the-scenes lessons Hollywood has mastered about focus, flow state, and high-performance teamwork.Steven shares what it really takes to deliver under extreme pressure, tight deadlines, and massive complexity, and how those same principles apply to engineers, developers, designers, and writers working today, especially in remote and hybrid environments.The conversation dives deep into flow state, why it matters for creative and technical work, and how The Sukha Company helps remote professionals enter deep focus without burnout by combining structure, community, and intentional work rhythms.From managing creative chaos on film sets to helping tech teams work in flow, this episode bridges film, technology, and human performance in a practical and relatable way.If you’ve ever felt busy but not productive, distracted by constant notifications, or stuck in context switching, this conversation will change how you think about work.Key TakeawaysWhy Hollywood film productions operate more like elite engineering teams than most people realiseHow blockbuster movies are delivered under pressure without destroying creativityThe hidden cost of constant interruptions for developers and knowledge workersWhat film sets get right about focus, ownership, and deep workHow flow states actually work and why they matter for engineers and creativesThe real reasons burnout happens in both tech and film industriesWhy productivity should be healthy, not punishingHow remote teams can recreate focus and accountability without micromanagementThe power of working “together” even when you’re physically apartSimple mindset shifts that can dramatically improve focus and performanceWho This Episode Is ForEngineers and software developersTech leads and engineering managersDesigners and writersRemote and hybrid workersStartup founders and product teamsAnyone feeling distracted, burned out, or constantly “on”Timestamps00:00 Introduction and why Hollywood matters to engineers03:10 Steven’s journey from film and TV to tech07:45 What blockbuster movie sets teach about focus under pressure12:30 Flow state and why it matters for engineers and creatives18:20 Distractions, deep work, and why productivity is broken24:10 Burnout in film and tech and how to prevent it30:05 The Sukha Company and working in flow together36:40 Practical focus habits engineers can use immediately41:30 Final insights on healthy high performance and mindset🌐 Connect with Steven:➡️ LinkedIn Profile: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-puri/➡️ Website: ⁠https://www.thesukha.co/📢 Connect with Anthony Dahya:🌐 Website – Champion Mindset Collective➡️ LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonydahya/➡️ Facebook – facebook.com/anthonydahya➡️ Instagram – @anthony.dahya➡️ YouTube – @anthonydahya➡️ Spotify – Champion Mindset Collective➡️ AI Workflows Agency – https://aiworkflows.agency📧 Email – [email protected]💬 Join the Conversation: Leave your thoughts or questions in the comments or message Anthony directly.Want to be a guest on Champion Mindset Collective?Send Anthony Dahya a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/championmindset

Yesterday Is History, Tomorrow Is a Mystery, Today Is a Gift - Why taking action today fuels innovation, creativity, and human progress in science, technology, and storytellingIn this episode of the Champion Mindset Collective Podcast, Anthony Dahya sits down with Swiss producer and director Yelena Ganshof van der Meersch to explore the mindset behind meaningful action, innovation, and human progress.From growing up in Siberia to working in global finance and diplomacy, and ultimately creating award-winning scientific documentaries, Yelena’s journey is a powerful example of what happens when we stop waiting and start acting.Together, we unpack the meaning behind the phrase “Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift” and how this philosophy applies to leadership, creativity, science communication, and building the future now.This episode dives into why human creativity and hard work still matter in a technology-driven world, why scientists and engineers are often underappreciated, and how storytelling can bridge the gap between innovation and public trust.If you care about mindset, innovation, science, leadership, and taking action in the present moment, this conversation is for you.👤 Guest BioYelena Ganshof van der Meersch is a Swiss producer and director passionate about science, innovation, and human creativity. She is best known for her documentary The Messenger: A Story of mRNA, which achieved record viewership on Swiss national television and features two Nobel Prize winners from 2023. The film is distributed globally through TV5 Monde and Alexander Street.Building on its success, Yelena launched The Messenger Impact Campaign to foster public trust in science through screenings and expert panels across Europe and North America. Before filmmaking, she worked in investment banking in Singapore and served as a lead economist at the US Embassy in Moscow, blending analytical depth with creative storytelling to connect science and society.⏱️ Timestamps00:00 – Introduction and why today matters02:15 – Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery05:10 – Taking action now versus waiting for the right time09:20 – Human creativity, hard work, and innovation13:45 – Why scientists and engineers go unnoticed18:30 – Storytelling as a bridge between science and society23:40 – Film-making, impact, and shaping the future28:10 – Final reflections and key takeaway🔑 Key Topics CoveredLiving and leading in the present momentWhy action today matters more than perfect plansHuman creativity and hard work in the age of AIThe underappreciated role of scientists and engineersStorytelling as a bridge between science and societyFilm-making as a tool for trust, education, and impact🎯 Who This Episode Is ForLeaders navigating change and uncertaintyEntrepreneurs and creators stuck in planning modeInnovators in science, technology, and AIAnyone who wants to stop waiting and start actingListeners interested in mindset, purpose, and impact#ChampionMindset, #MindsetMatters, #TakeActionToday, #InnovationMindset, #HumanCreativity, #LeadershipGrowth, #LiveInThePresent, #ScienceAndSociety🌐 Connect with Yelena:➡️ LinkedIn Profile: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/yelenaganshof/➡️ Website: https://insidetomorrow.media/📢 Connect with Anthony Dahya:🌐 Website – Champion Mindset Collective➡️ LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonydahya/➡️ Facebook – facebook.com/anthonydahya➡️ Instagram – @anthony.dahya➡️ YouTube – @anthonydahya➡️ Spotify – Champion Mindset Collective➡️ AI Workflows Agency – https://aiworkflows.agency📧 Email – [email protected]💬 Join the Conversation: Leave your thoughts or questions in the comments or message Anthony directly.Want to be a guest on Champion Mindset Collective? Send Anthony Dahya a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/championmindset

Most businesses believe they have a sales problem.In reality, they often have a clarity, structure, or leadership problem.In this episode of the Champion Mindset Collective, Anthony Dahya sits down with Sean P Shannon, a sales and revenue leader with over 30 years of experience building market-leading teams and brands across iHeart, Audacy, and Cumulus Media.Sean shares why most businesses misunderstand what their customers are actually buying, how broken compensation plans quietly sabotage sales performance, and why diagnosing the real problem always comes before offering solutions.You will hear real-world insights from Sean’s journey as a Senior Vice President of Sales and Market President, including how he built iconic brands like Q99.7 and 99X, and what small and medium businesses can learn from those experiences today.This is a practical, no-fluff conversation for founders, sales leaders, and business owners who want smarter sales strategy, stronger teams, and better results.🔑 Key HighlightsWhy most businesses think they have a sales problem when it is really a system problemHow sales compensation plans drive behaviour, often the wrong behaviourThe importance of understanding true purchase motivationWhy diagnosing before prescribing changes everythingThe Vikings and Farmers story and what it reveals about sales cultureHow leadership decisions shape sales performance over timeWhat high-performing sales teams do differently in tight markets💡 Key TakeawaysSales problems are rarely solved by tactics aloneCustomers are not buying what most businesses think they are sellingA misaligned comp plan will quietly destroy even great sales teamsCulture and structure matter more than pressure and incentivesStrong sales leadership starts with asking better questionsThere is no failure if learning is applied forwardClarity beats complexity every time in sales strategy⏱️ Timestamps00:00 – Why most businesses misdiagnose sales problems04:20 – Sean’s journey through 30+ years in sales leadership09:30 – Diagnosing before prescribing in sales and marketing14:45 – Cost of sale rising while revenue stalls20:10 – Understanding real customer purchase motivation27:40 – Vikings vs Farmers and sales culture explained35:15 – Sales comp plans and unintended consequences43:00 – What leaders must fix first in their sales system50:20 – Champion Mindset lessons from decades in salesTags: sales strategy explainedsales leadership podcasthow to fix sales problems, why sales teams failsales compensation plan mistakes, revenue growth for business ownersb2b sales leadership, small business sales strategysales culture and leadership, champion mindset podcast, sales leadership, sales strategy, b2b sales, revenue growth, sales compensation, sales culture, marketing strategy, small business growth, leadership development, champion mindset, business podcast, entrepreneur podcast, sales management🌐 Connect with Sean:➡️ LinkedIn Profile: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-p-shannon/➡️ Website: ⁠Sales Exceleration-Sean Shannon📢 Connect with Anthony Dahya:🌐 Website – Champion Mindset Collective➡️ LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonydahya/➡️ Facebook – facebook.com/anthonydahya➡️ Instagram – @anthony.dahya➡️ YouTube – @anthonydahya➡️ Spotify – Champion Mindset Collective➡️ AI Workflows Agency – https://aiworkflows.agency📧 Email – [email protected]💬 Join the Conversation: Leave your thoughts or questions in the comments or message Anthony directly.Want to be a guest on Champion Mindset Collective? Send Anthony Dahya a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/championmindset

Digital Wellbeing, Screen Time & Family BalanceIn this episode of the Champion Mindset Collective Podcast, host Anthony Dahya sits down with Dr Sajita Setia, physician, researcher, and digital wellbeing expert, to unpack how families can raise resilient, balanced kids in today’s hyper-connected world.Dr Sajita shares evidence-based insights on digital wellbeing, screen time, social media, and the real impact technology has on children’s mental health, sleep, confidence, and behaviour. Rather than fear-based parenting or banning devices, this conversation focuses on practical, compassionate strategies that help families create healthier tech habits together.You’ll learn why most screen rules fail, how algorithms are designed to hook developing brains, and what parents can do right now to build resilience, emotional intelligence, and real-world connection at home.This episode is essential listening for parents, educators, and anyone supporting young people growing up online.Key Topics CoveredDigital wellbeing and family balanceWhy screen rules fail and what works insteadRaising resilient kids in a connected worldSocial media, comparison, and self-esteemNeuroscience, dopamine loops, and developing brainsPractical tools families can start using this weekTimestamps00:00 – Introduction and why digital wellbeing matters now03:40 – Why restriction fails and replacement works08:55 – Notification cleansing and family tech habits14:10 – Screen rules vs screen understanding19:30 – Social media, comparison, and self-esteem24:50 – Building real-world resilience and connection30:15 – Screen sunset, sleep, and behaviour35:40 – Empowerment over punishment41:10 – Final reflections and practical takeawaysKey TakeawaysDigital wellbeing is about replacement, not restrictionKids respond better when boundaries are framed as protection, not punishmentAlgorithms are designed to exploit dopamine loops, not a lack of disciplineFace-to-face connection is essential for resilience and mental healthIntrinsic values like kindness and gratitude reduce unhealthy comparisonSmall changes consistently applied matter more than perfectionParents modelling healthy tech habits is more powerful than any ruleKeywords digital wellbeing, parenting in the digital age, screen time for kids, raising resilient kids, social media and mental health, family screen rules, digital balance, youth mental health, technology and children, dopamine and screens, online safety for kids🌐 Connect with Sajita:➡️ LinkedIn Profile: ⁠http://linkedin.com/in/sajita-setia➡️ Website: https://sajitasetia.com/➡️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrSajitaSetia➡️ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drsajitasetia/➡️ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sajita.setia/📢 Connect with Anthony Dahya:🌐 Website – Champion Mindset Collective➡️ LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonydahya/➡️ Facebook – facebook.com/anthonydahya➡️ Instagram – @anthony.dahya➡️ YouTube – @anthonydahya➡️ Spotify – Champion Mindset Collective➡️ AI Workflows Agency – https://aiworkflows.agency📧 Email – [email protected]💬 Join the Conversation: Leave your thoughts or questions in the comments or message Anthony directly.Want to be a guest on Champion Mindset Collective? Send Anthony Dahya a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/championmindset

AI is moving fast, and for many business owners it feels overwhelming, impersonal, and even threatening. In this episode of the Champion Mindset Collective Podcast, Anthony sits down with Wes Towers, founder of Uplift 360, to explore a different way forward.After being told during a business valuation that AI made his company less valuable and more replaceable, Wes faced a defining moment. Instead of resisting AI or allowing it to strip the humanity out of his work, he chose to re-frame it as a tool that could strengthen trust, connection, and authenticity.In this conversation, Wes shares how a mindset shift changed everything. From redefining value and trust in a digital world, to using AI in a way that supports people rather than replaces them, this episode is a grounded and practical guide for founders navigating the future of business.This is not a hype-driven AI conversation. It is a real, human discussion about leadership, trust, and building sustainable businesses in a noisy digital world.🔑 Key TakeawaysWhy AI does not need to replace human connection to be effectiveHow a mindset shift can turn fear of AI into clarity and confidenceThe danger of over-automating at the cost of trust and brand authenticityHow to use AI as a systemisation tool while staying deeply humanWhy trust is becoming the most valuable asset in modern businessWhat a champion mindset looks like when technology is changing fastTimestamp List00:00 – Why AI feels threatening to many business owners05:40 – The valuation moment that forced a complete rethink12:30 – Reframing AI from threat to tool20:10 – Humanising automation without losing authenticity28:45 – Champion mindset in leadership and business36:30 – Trust as the new currency in the digital world43:10 – Final reflections and advice for founders👥 Who This Episode Is ForThis episode is for:Business owners and founders navigating AI and automationMarketing leaders wanting to build trust, not just efficiencyTrades and construction business owners growing their digital presenceLeaders who value authenticity, people, and long-term sustainabilityAnyone feeling uncertain about how AI fits into their business future🔍 Keywordshumanising AI, AI and trust, champion mindset, authentic marketing, AI for business owners, AI and leadership, digital trust, automation with authenticity, mindset and technology, future of business AI🌐 Connect with Wes:➡️ LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/westowers📢 Connect with Anthony Dahya:🌐 Website – Champion Mindset Collective➡️ LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonydahya/➡️ Facebook – facebook.com/anthonydahya➡️ Instagram – @anthony.dahya➡️ YouTube – @anthonydahya➡️ Spotify – Champion Mindset Collective➡️ AI Workflows Agency – https://aiworkflows.agency📧 Email – [email protected]💬 Join the Conversation: Leave your thoughts or questions in the comments or message Anthony directly.Want to be a guest on Champion Mindset Collective? Send Anthony Dahya a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/championmindset