417: Finding Your Joy In the Journey!
DREAM THINK DO | Motivation, Encouragement & Strategy
Release Date: 03/20/2025
DREAM THINK DO | Motivation, Encouragement & Strategy
In this short and heartfelt episode… Mitch Matthews is keeping it simple but powerful. It’s a mini-episode, just 15 minutes… but it’s packed with a mindset shift that could transform your holidays (and maybe even your new year!). As we dive into this season that’s often full, fast, and a little frantic… we wanted to offer you a concept that’s helping Mitch to stay grounded, present, and joy-filled. It’s a two-word mantra that’s serving as his personal battle cry: “Christmas Curious.” Whether you're someone who loves spreadsheets and schedules… or you’re someone...
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An Interview with former Navy SEAL, CEO & bestselling author Brent Gleeson In this powerful episode, Mitch Matthews sits down with Brent Gleeson - former Navy SEAL, CEO, and bestselling author - to dive into the mindset, routines, and values that allow you to go ALL IN on what matters most, even during the most chaotic of times… (even the holidays!). With insights from Brent’s new book ALL IN: The Pathway to Personal Growth and Professional Excellence, this episode offers a practical roadmap for finishing the year strong and stepping into 2026 with focus, clarity, and intention. Read...
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An interview with Olympic Medalist, Author, & Design Thinker John K. Coyle What if your next breakthrough wasn’t about fixing your weaknesses… but doubling down on your strengths? This week on DREAM THINK DO, Mitch sits down with John K. Coyle - an Olympic silver medalist turned Fortune 500 exec, design thinking expert, and Emmy-winning analyst - to explore what happens when you stop trying to fix what’s “wrong” with you… and instead, design a life around what you do best. John shares his journey from burnout and humiliation on the U.S. Olympic speed skating team to a...
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In this inspiring and deeply authentic episode, Mitch sits down with someone he recently shared the TEDx stage with - Dr. Angela Walker Franklin. Dr. Franklin is the President and CEO of Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences, and not only is she the first woman and first person of color to hold that role in the university’s 125+ year history… she’s also a licensed clinical psychologist, a published author, and a powerful voice for leading with empathy, courage, and clarity. They dive into her unique upbringing in a small South Carolina town - where her family ran a funeral...
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In this episode, Mitch sits down with the brilliant and bold Dr. Julia Garcia - a psychologist, behavioral researcher, and the author of the powerful new book, The 5 Habits of Hope. With 20+ years of experience working with students, educators, CEOs, and entire communities to create space for hope, Dr. J brings the science and the soul - blending tactical tools with raw honesty and deep life experience. This isn’t toxic positivity. This is real, grounded, authentic hope. And it couldn’t be more timely. As we head into the holidays - a season that can stir up a lot of different...
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We’ve got an inspiring and eye-opening conversation for you this week as Mitch sits down with Shawn D. Nelson - the founder and CEO of LoveSac. If the name sounds familiar, it should. LoveSac has become a billion-dollar disruptor in the furniture space, known for their ultra-comfy bean bags and their game-changing modular couches that are built to last a lifetime. But long before LoveSac became a publicly traded company with hundreds of retail stores… it started in Shawn’s parents’ basement with a roll of vinyl, some foam, and a wild idea. Since then, Shawn’s story has included...
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In this solo episode, Mitch Matthews shares an honest, behind-the-scenes story that started with a season of struggle, turned into a desperate idea… and accidentally launched a movement that’s now inspired thousands of people to get clear on their big dreams and goals and move forward with courage and clarity. You’ll hear about the surprising origin of the very first Big Dream Gathering - an experiment that started in their living room and eventually led to events hosted around the country. These events have helped people to get clear and get connected and get big dreams...
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What if you could actually feel good about money? Not just make more of it - but feel less stress, more clarity, and a sense of freedom around your finances? That’s exactly what we’re talking about this week with our guest, John Kennedy. He’s a Certified Financial Planner, yes… but his superpower is helping people unpack the emotional side of money, build simple systems that work, and finally take control of their financial life - without shame or overwhelm. John is a partner and senior wealth advisor, and the co-host of the Above Board Podcast, which ranks in the top 2% of...
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In this powerful episode, Mitch reconnects with Vanessa McNeal - a dynamic speaker, trauma-informed life coach, and certified elite coach who's changing the way leaders think about difficult people, burnout, and team culture. Vanessa’s mission? To help high achievers ditch burnout, quiet the noise of overwhelm, and lead from a place of inner alignment. She’s not about surface-level fluff - her strategies are rooted in science, her story is authentic, and her presence is transformative. In this conversation, Mitch and Vanessa dive deep into the neuroscience behind stress, conflict, and...
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What does it take to fully step into the life you were meant to live? What happens when you lose a big part of your identity… and have to rebuild from the ground up? That’s what we’re talking about in this raw and real episode with Nick Koumalatsos. Nick is a former Marine Raider, turned multi-passionate entrepreneur, coach, and author. He’s also the co-founder and CEO of Johnny Slicks, a fast-growing premium grooming brand. He's also the author of Excommunicated Warrior: 7 Stages of Transition - a powerful book that explores how to navigate major life shifts without losing yourself in...
info_outlineIn this powerful episode of DREAM THINK DO, Mitch Matthews welcomes back the incredible Amberly Lago! Amberly is a true powerhouse of resilience, inspiration, and grit. She’s been featured on the Today Show, the Hallmark Channel, and in magazines like Shape, Fit Pregnancy, and Health & Disability Magazine—all because of her amazing journey of overcoming adversity.
After surviving a near-fatal motorcycle accident, enduring 34 surgeries, and navigating the challenges of chronic pain, Amberly has redefined her life with perseverance, faith, and radical self-care.
Now, she’s back with a brand-new best-selling book: "Joy Through the Journey"—a deeply personal guide to finding and sustaining joy, even in the midst of life’s challenges.
In this episode, Mitch and Amberly dive into:
✔️ The turning points and mindset shifts that helped her reclaim joy
✔️ The wake-up call moment that made her realize she was burning out
✔️ The small but powerful steps we can all take to protect our energy
✔️ Why joy and pain can coexist—and how to cultivate joy daily
✔️ The importance of self-care, gratitude, and connection in the journey to happiness
This episode is packed with real talk, inspiring stories, and practical strategies that will help you spark joy in your own life. Don’t miss it!
ENCOURAGING THE ENCOURAGERS:
Remember… you can now check out Mitch’s OTHER podcast called “ENCOURAGING THE ENCOURAGERS” anywhere you listen to podcasts.
It’s specifically designed for Coaches, Speakers and Content Creators and provides a quick dose of inspiration, strategy AND… of course… encouragement!
Find it on Apple Podcasts: Click here
Find it on Spotify: Click here
Find it on Anchor: Click here
Find it on Google: Click here
Resources & Links
📖 Get Amberly’s New Book: "Joy Through the Journey" [CLICK HERE]
🎙️ Listen to Amberly’s Podcast: "True Grit and Grace"
📲 Follow Amberly for Daily Inspiration:
Instagram: @amberlylagomotivation
Website: www.amberlylago.com
We Want to Hear From YOU! 🎙💡
👉 What’s one small but powerful step you can take TODAY to spark more joy? Write it down and make it happen!
👉 Comment below and let us know what resonated most with you from this inspiring convo!
👉 If this episode spoke to you, leave a review! It helps more Dream Think Doers find the show! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Episode Minute by Minute:
- 0:00 Introduction to Episode 416 and welcoming Amberly Lago back to Dream Think Do.
- 2:00 Amberly shares her journey of resilience—from surviving a near-fatal motorcycle accident to enduring 34 surgeries and redefining her life.
- 3:30 Discussion on Amberly’s new book, Joy Through the Journey, and why she wrote it now.
- 5:00 Amberly opens up about her personal struggles with burnout and the turning point that led her to reclaim her joy.
- 7:00 The wake-up call: How pushing too hard led to a physical and emotional collapse in front of hundreds of people.
- 10:00 The shift that helped Amberly start healing—getting back to basics with faith, gratitude, and self-care.
- 12:00 Why joy isn’t a destination but a choice we can make daily, even in the midst of pain.
- 14:00 Amberly shares a powerful story from physical therapy about how mindset shifts can create joy even in difficult situations.
- 18:00 The science behind gratitude and how it rewires the brain to increase resilience and happiness.
- 22:00 Joy and pain can coexist: Amberly explains how she learned to embrace both in her healing journey.
- 28:00 The role of connection in overcoming challenges—why we need the right people around us.
- 32:00 Amberly’s battle with addiction, the moment she got radically honest with herself, and how she got sober.
- 36:00 Healing through vulnerability—why we heal what we reveal and the power of community.
- 40:00 Overcoming self-doubt and fear—Amberly shares her journey of embracing her scars and owning her story.
- 44:00 Mitch’s Minute: Key takeaways on resilience, the importance of joy, and practical ways to reclaim your energy and purpose.