40 - Elevate Your Game: The Power of Mental Training for Athletes and Business Leaders
Lucky 13 - All Things People AND Profit
Release Date: 07/08/2025
42 - From Expenses to Assets: Rethinking Your Approach to Workforce Investment
Lucky 13 - All Things People AND Profit
In this episode, hosts Mike Lantz and Josh Hauser broadcast from their new studio at Launch Fishers, sharing personal stories before diving into the importance of leadership teams in business. They explain how a strong leadership team can significantly boost a company’s valuation, especially when preparing for sale. The hosts introduce the first steps of a seven-step talent planning process: aligning future organizational charts with company vision and identifying pivotal roles. Emphasizing people as strategic investments, they encourage business owners to proactively develop talent and...
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41 - From Football Fields to Business Deals: The Power of Mental Resilience
Lucky 13 - All Things People AND Profit
In this episode of the Lucky 13 podcast, hosts Mike Lantz and Josh Hauser discuss IU football before welcoming guest Ben Carnes, a former football coach, mental trainer, and entrepreneur. Ben shares practical mental training techniques, such as the "focus cycle" and "four boxes" framework, to help entrepreneurs manage overwhelm, build confidence, and confront challenges. The conversation highlights the importance of honest self-assessment, combating negative self-talk, and celebrating progress. Listeners are encouraged to apply these mental strategies in both sports and business to...
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40 - Elevate Your Game: The Power of Mental Training for Athletes and Business Leaders
Lucky 13 - All Things People AND Profit
In this episode of the Lucky 13 Podcast, hosts Mike Lantz and Josh Hauser talk with guest Ben Carnes about the vital role of mental training in sports and business. Ben shares his journey from coaching football players to helping entrepreneurs, introducing practical tools like the "focus cycle" for managing stress and improving performance. The discussion covers breathing techniques, positive affirmations, and focus management, emphasizing resilience and the universal value of mental skills. Listeners are encouraged to apply these strategies to overcome setbacks and achieve success in any...
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39 - Profit First: How Data Can Drive Accountability and Financial Success
Lucky 13 - All Things People AND Profit
In this episode of the Lucky 13 Podcast, hosts Mike Lantz and Josh Hauser discuss the vital role of data in business success. They share personal stories, including family updates and an upcoming wedding, to highlight the importance of relationships. The conversation centers on how accurate data enables better control, profit management, and employee accountability. They emphasize adopting a “profit first” mindset and using key metrics to drive decisions. The episode concludes by stressing that while profit is essential, balancing it with care for people is crucial for sustainable growth....
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38 - Are You Struggling to Balance Work, Sleep, and Personal Life?
Lucky 13 - All Things People AND Profit
In this episode of the Lucky 13 podcast, Mike Lantz and Josh Hauser discuss the importance of intentional time management and work-life balance. They reflect on a recent Pacers vs. Knicks game before introducing the "eight by eight by eight" framework for dividing time between work, sleep, and personal life. Sharing personal stories and practical tips, they encourage listeners to audit their schedules, prioritize commitments, and use tools to track time. Emphasizing flexibility and purpose, they inspire the audience to make conscious choices that align with their values and lead to a more...
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37 - The Best Strategies for Achieving Work-Life Harmony This Summer
Lucky 13 - All Things People AND Profit
In this episode of the Lucky 13 podcast, hosts Mike Lantz and Josh Hauser share personal stories about family milestones, summer travel, and the challenges entrepreneurs face during seasonal transitions. They discuss the importance of intentional planning, maintaining discipline, and achieving balance through the "eight by eight by eight" rule—dedicating equal time to work, sleep, and personal well-being. Emphasizing relationships, self-care, and purposeful living, Mike and Josh offer practical advice for navigating busy summer months while staying focused on both business and personal...
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36 - The Hidden Costs of Disengagement: Why Your Workforce is Leaving
Lucky 13 - All Things People AND Profit
In this episode of the Lucky 13 podcast, hosts Mike Lantz and Josh Hauser explore the latest trends in employee engagement, referencing Gallup’s Q12 survey and recent research on workplace culture. They discuss the decline in engagement, the impact of mid-level management, and why employees leave—highlighting issues like poor leadership, lack of meaningful work, and toxic culture. The hosts emphasize the importance of trust, recognition, flexibility, and value alignment, offering practical insights for leaders seeking to improve retention and create a more positive, engaged workplace....
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35 - The Hidden Costs of Disengagement: Why Your Bottom Line Depends on Employee Engagement
Lucky 13 - All Things People AND Profit
In this episode of the "Lucky 13" podcast, Josh Hauser and Mike Lantz discuss the critical issue of declining employee engagement in the U.S., referencing a recent Gallup report. They explore the Gallup Q12 survey, which measures engagement through 12 questions, and emphasize the pivotal role of middle management in fostering a positive work environment. Key strategies for enhancing engagement include empowering managers, integrating engagement into daily operations, aligning efforts with organizational goals, providing development opportunities, and fostering a culture of recognition....
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34 - The Cost of Disengagement: How It's Draining Your Business Resources
Lucky 13 - All Things People AND Profit
In this episode of the Lucky 13 podcast, co-hosts Josh Hauser and Mike Lantz discuss the critical topic of employee engagement, drawing insights from Gallup's 2024 engagement report. They highlight the alarming decline in global and U.S. engagement scores and the significant financial impact of disengagement on productivity and turnover costs. The conversation emphasizes the importance of a robust company culture and effective management practices in retaining engaged employees. They also introduce Gallup's Q12 questions, designed to measure employee engagement, and stress the need for...
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33 - Saying "No" is Not a Four-Letter Word!
Lucky 13 - All Things People AND Profit
In this episode of the Lucky 13 podcast, hosts Mike Lantz and Josh Hauser discuss the importance of setting boundaries and the power of saying "no" in both personal and professional contexts. They explore how societal pressures often lead to overcommitment and burnout. The hosts share practical strategies for effectively communicating "no," such as using "I" statements and practicing empathy. They emphasize the significance of knowing one's priorities and practicing self-care to avoid capacity issues. Through personal anecdotes, they highlight the benefits of prioritizing one's well-being and...
info_outlineIn this episode of the Lucky 13 Podcast, hosts Mike Lantz and Josh Hauser talk with guest Ben Carnes about the vital role of mental training in sports and business. Ben shares his journey from coaching football players to helping entrepreneurs, introducing practical tools like the "focus cycle" for managing stress and improving performance. The discussion covers breathing techniques, positive affirmations, and focus management, emphasizing resilience and the universal value of mental skills. Listeners are encouraged to apply these strategies to overcome setbacks and achieve success in any high-pressure environment.
Podcast Introduction (00:00:07) Hosts Mike and Josh banter, introduce the show, and set a casual, friendly tone.
Introducing Ben Carnes & His Background (00:00:48) Josh introduces guest Ben Carnes, sharing personal connections and Ben’s impact on his kids and community.
Ben’s Journey into Mental Training (00:01:41) Ben describes starting mental training in 2013 after a football loss, expanding from small groups to whole teams.
Realizing Broader Impact Beyond Sports (00:02:05) Ben explains how mental training benefits not just athletes but also people in real-world situations.
Growth and Reach of the Program (00:02:45) Discussion of Ben’s expansion to 96 schools in 14 states, and the crossover to entrepreneurship.
Translating Sports Mental Training to Business (00:03:08) Hosts discuss how Ben’s sports-focused program can be applied to entrepreneurs and business settings.
Westfield Football Team Transformation Stats (00:03:45) Josh shares statistics showing the football team’s dramatic improvement after implementing mental training.
Sustained Success and Systemization (00:04:38) Emphasis on sustained results, not just a good class, and the need for systemized, predictable tools.
Introduction to the Focus Cycle (00:05:15) Ben introduces the “focus cycle” as a practical tool for managing thoughts and emotions under pressure.
Breaking Down the Focus Cycle Steps (00:06:28) Ben details the process: identifying the big event, focus, self-talk, physical response, and emotional state.
Applying the Focus Cycle in Real Life (00:07:55) Hosts share personal examples and ask how to use the focus cycle in business and daily challenges.
Understanding Emotional and Physical Reactions (00:09:05) Ben explains the brain’s automatic reactions and the need for intentional strategies to regain control.
Building Confidence with Intentional Actions (00:10:50) Ben describes using breathing, muscle relaxation, and self-talk to intentionally generate confidence.
The Power of Go-To Statements (00:12:53) Ben shares his experience with affirmations, how to craft effective self-talk, and its neurological impact.
Examples of Self-Talk and Rituals (00:15:27) Hosts and Ben discuss real-world examples, like athletes’ rituals and positive intelligence practices.
Controlling Focus: The Four Boxes (00:16:24) Ben introduces a Venn diagram tool to help focus only on what matters and what can be controlled.
Implementing and Adjusting the Tools (00:18:07) Ben emphasizes the importance of practicing, tweaking, and personalizing these mental tools.
Clarity Breaks and Entrepreneurial Application (00:19:23) Hosts relate the focus cycle to business practices like clarity breaks and decision-making.
Resetting After Failure and Maintaining Confidence (00:19:49) Discussion on the importance of resetting after setbacks and not letting one failure spiral.
Rewiring the Brain for Resilience (00:20:52) Ben explains how repeated use of these tools can rewire the brain for better long-term responses.
Events + Response = Outcome (00:21:45) Hosts discuss the “above the line” equation and how training responses can change outcomes.
Preview of Next Episode & Closing (00:21:58) Tease for the next episode focusing on business applications, and thank yous to Ben.