Mindset, Mood, Movement

In this episode of "Man Up / Man Down," hosts Volker and David are joined by Sal Jeffries, a coach specialising in helping founders over 40 redefine their purpose, increase performance, and cultivate a peaceful mind through psychology, emotional regulation, and body intelligence.

Sal begins by explaining his work with clients, focusing on the inner game—how individuals think, feel, and act. He shares his personal journey, being a midlife man himself at 52, and how he transitioned from a stressed career in photography to becoming a coach and yoga teacher. This shift was driven by his desire to manage stress better and embody a healthier lifestyle.

Sal emphasises the importance of mindset in making long-term, sustainable changes, particularly as one ages.

David shares his recent experience of recovering from a severe leg injury, expressing frustration with how it has impacted his ability to stay active—a key part of his identity. Sal offers advice on how to cope with such setbacks, highlighting the importance of acceptance and self-compassion. He suggests focusing on what one can do rather than dwelling on limitations and emphasises the need for a long-term commitment to health and fitness, rather than expecting quick fixes.

The conversation touches on the concept of self-compassion, with Sal defining it as an active state of being kind to oneself, especially during difficult times. He contrasts this with negative self-talk, which often stems from a critical inner voice that can be traced back to early life experiences. Sal shares how he has worked on quieting his own inner critic, which he refers to as the "dictator," and how understanding its origins can help in managing it.

Volker and Sal also discuss the pressures of modern life, including the constant stimulation from digital devices and the importance of creating intentional space for boredom and reflection. Sal advocates for environment design—consciously shaping one’s surroundings to reduce distractions and foster well-being.

The episode concludes with Sal encouraging listeners to adopt a mindset of incremental change and intentionality in their lives, whether in fitness, business, or personal growth. He emphasises that understanding what you truly want and making conscious choices towards those goals is key to living a fulfilling life.

Sal also invites listeners to connect with him for coaching, particularly those in midlife seeking to navigate challenges and find greater purpose and balance.

You can find him on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saljefferies/ or find out more via his website: https://linktr.ee/saljefferies where you can discover his podcast, YT channel and more.

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