153: Breaking Barriers: Men's Mental Health and Performance with Adam Smith

In this episode of the Modern Man Podcast, host Ted engages with high-performance coach Adam Smith, who shares insights on personal development, the pursuit of potential, and the internal blocks that high achievers face. They discuss the importance of progress over perfection, the role of beliefs and standards in achieving success, and the necessity of stillness in a fast-paced world. Adam emphasizes that purpose is not something to be found but created through action and progress, and he highlights the common struggle of feeling 'not good enough' among men, particularly in high-pressure environments.

Takeaways

• The pursuit of potential is a continuous journey.
• Progress equals happiness, not destination.
• Many men feel they are not good enough.
• Purpose is something we create, not find.
• The 'when and then' mentality hinders action.
• High achievers often struggle with internal blocks.
• Beliefs shape our actions and results.
• Discipline is key to high performance.
• Standards determine the quality of our work.
• Stillness allows for powerful action and reflection. Meditation can feel uncomfortable due to the overwhelming number of thoughts we have.
• We often avoid pain rather than seeking pleasure, which affects our perception of experiences.
• Being fully present can help us appreciate the world around us.
• Stillness is essential for achieving inner peace and calm.
• Many people feel they are 'doing it wrong' regarding mindfulness practices.
• Compartmentalization can lead to chaos in different areas of life.
• Success can be redefined to include joy and fulfillment, not just achievement.
• The cost of unchecked ambition can be high, including divorce and mental health issues.
• Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
• You don't have to hit rock bottom to initiate change in your life.

Chapters

00:18 - Introduction to the Modern Man Podcast

01:17 - Adam Smith: The High Performance Coach

02:16 - The Pursuit of Potential

04:13 - Understanding Purpose and Progress

07:07 - The 'When and Then' Mentality

09:18 - Internal Blocks for High Achievers

12:07 - The Role of Beliefs and Standards

15:24 - Discipline and High Performance

20:14 - The Importance of Stillness

23:59 - The Challenge of Meditation and Mindfulness

27:31 - The Importance of Stillness for Inner Peace

30:10 - Compartmentalization and Its Impact on Life

35:43 - The High Cost of Unchecked Ambition

38:56 - Redefining Success: Finding Joy and Purpose

Smith’s Links

Website:agameconsultancy.com

LinkedIn: Adam Smith

Instagram: agameconsultancy

Facebook: agameconsultancy

Podcast: agameunfiltered

Free eBook Here: Mastering Self-Development: Strategies of the New Masculine: https://rebrand.ly/m2ebook

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“The Modern Man” is a series focused on discussing the challenges and obstacles men face in today’s society. It is an open forum of discussion where thoughts, strategies and ideas of men living a happy and fulfilled life are explored. The Modern Man aims to create a community of men not only sharing and connecting on a deeper level, but also exploring how to thrive and live a happy and fulfilled life. This is done through intentional conversations strategically aimed at issues that men face in today’s society.