Think Your Way to an Epic Life

Hosted by Kara Schug

Business

Website RSS feed

Episodes

247

Latest episode

Nov 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

Coach Kara Schug interviews guests on how they have changed their lifestyles with the power of their mind, thoughts and actions, leading to an Epic life!

Listen to episodes

60 recent

November 10, 202618 min

How to Reprogram Your Subconscious Mind & Change Your Life

What if changing your life starts with changing the way you think? In this solo episode of Think Your Way to an Epic Life , Kara Schug explores how our subconscious beliefs shape our thoughts, habits, and everyday decisions — and how we can begin changing those patterns to create a more intentional, fulfilling life. Drawing on neuroscience, neuroplasticity research, and practices she uses with her coaching clients, Kara shares practical ways to become more aware of your thought patterns and start building new ones. In this episode, you'll learn: How subconscious beliefs influence your daily life What neuroplasticity tells us about the brain's ability to change How breathwork can help calm your nervous system and create space for clearer thinking Why asking yourself better questions can change your perspective How visualization and mental rehearsal can support personal growth Five simple daily practices to help build healthier thought patterns Kara also guides you through a breathing exercise and shares a practical five-step process you can start using today: Breathe. Ask. Complete. Repeat. Rehearse. You don't have to stay stuck in the same patterns. Small, intentional changes in how you think and respond can help you move toward the life you want to create. Discover the Free Destiny App Explore your strengths, identify the internal beliefs that may be holding you back, and get clearer on what you really want. Download the free Destiny app: https://destiny-production-2619.up.railway.app/ Research Referenced: Maguire et al. (2000) — Brain structure and London taxi drivers Pascual-Leone et al. (1995) — Mental practice and brain plasticity Lally et al. — Habit formation research Senay et al. (2010) — Motivational self-talk and goal-directed behavior Stanford Medicine (2023) — Cyclic sighing and anxiety reduction Subscribe to Think Your Way to an Epic Life for more conversations and practical tools focused on mindset, personal growth, and creating a more fulfilling life. #Mindset #Neuroplasticity #PersonalDevelopment #SubconsciousMind #Breathwork

November 3, 202643 min

The 7 P's of Success: A Proven Formula for Achieving Big Goals

What does it really take to achieve your biggest goals? Executive leadership coach, best-selling author, and performance mentor Neil Thubron joins the podcast to break down his 7 P's Formula for Achieving Big Goals. Drawing from decades of experience leading global sales teams of more than 450 people, coaching executives, and tackling ambitious personal challenges, Neil shares his approach to setting meaningful goals, developing discipline, strengthening your mindset, and turning big ambitions into real results. Neil is also the creator of Whiteboard Value Selling™, a methodology designed to help businesses and sales professionals communicate value, improve performance, and achieve greater success. In this conversation, we explore how the principles of leadership, mindset, and personal accountability can help anyone perform at a higher level, whether in business, their career, or everyday life. Topics include: - Neil's 7 P's Formula for achieving big goals - The mindset required to pursue ambitious goals - Building discipline and consistency - Overcoming obstacles and staying focused - Lessons from leadership, sales, and personal challenges - Turning goals into meaningful action and lasting results Whether you're an entrepreneur, business leader, or simply someone looking to accomplish more, this conversation offers practical insights into what it takes to pursue and achieve your biggest goals. #GoalSetting #PersonalDevelopment #Leadership #NeilThubron #Mindset #Success

October 27, 202643 min

The "I Got This" Trap: Why Strong People Go Silent (and How to Come Back) | Glen Williams

Do you say "I'm fine" when you're not? Do you keep everything bottled up because you believe you should be able to handle life on your own? Retired police detective and author Glen Williams spent 26 years believing that strength meant needing no one. But years of unspoken trauma, living with PTSD, and emotional isolation took a toll on his relationships and ultimately contributed to two divorces. After spending three years alone in a mountain cabin, Glen came face-to-face with a difficult realization: sometimes the biggest obstacle to healing is ourselves. In this episode of **Think Your Way to an Epic Life**, Kara Schug sits down with Glen to explore the hidden dangers of the "I got this" mentality, why strong people often struggle to ask for help, and how vulnerability and honest communication can transform our relationships. **In this conversation, you'll discover:** - Why saying "I'm fine" can become an emotional defense mechanism - How unresolved trauma and PTSD can affect relationships - The turning point that changed Glen's life after years of isolation - Why accountability is essential for personal growth and healing - How to open up about difficult experiences without overwhelming loved ones - What it means to build a marriage with no secrets - 5 signs you've emotionally shut down — and practical ways to reconnect Glen is also the author of *Bridging the Gap: An Inside Look at Communications and Relationships After Traumatic Events*, a book exploring the importance of communication, connection, and healing after trauma. Whether you've experienced trauma, struggle with vulnerability, or simply find yourself saying "I've got this" when you really need support, this conversation offers a powerful reminder that **true strength isn't about handling everything alone.** 🔑 **FREE: Discover Your Biggest Internal Block** Discover your biggest superpower, what's holding you back, and what you really want with Kara's free Destiny experience: https://karaschug.com/your-date-with-destiny/ 📖 **Connect with Glen Williams** Book — *Bridging the Gap*: https://www.gdubauthor.com/bridge-the-gap-book Website: https://www.gdubauthor.com Instagram: @glenwilliams247 X: @GDubAuthor LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/glen-williams-a9095b43 Facebook: https://facebook.com/glen.williams.3150 **Content Warning:** This episode includes graphic descriptions of death and trauma from Glen's experiences as a police officer. Listener discretion is advised. If you're struggling or in crisis in the United States, call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. #PTSDRecovery #HealingFromTrauma #Relationships #GlenWilliams #ThinkYourWayToAnEpicLife

October 20, 202625 min

What's the Best Advice You've Ever Received? | Life Lessons That Stick

What's the best advice you've ever received? And what does it really mean to live an epic life? In this special collection from *Think Your Way to an Epic Life*, host Kara Schug brings together powerful insights, meaningful life lessons, and unforgettable perspectives from guests who share the wisdom that has shaped their lives. From personal growth and finding happiness to overcoming challenges, discovering purpose, and living with intention, these conversations offer inspiration and practical wisdom for anyone looking to create a more fulfilling life. Everyone has a different definition of success, happiness, and what makes life truly extraordinary. Sometimes, the right piece of advice can completely change the way we see the world. **In this episode, we explore:** - What's the best advice you've ever received? - What does living an epic life mean to you? - How can life experiences shape our perspective? - What lessons can help us live with greater purpose and intention? Whether you're looking for motivation, a fresh perspective, or meaningful advice to carry into your own life, we hope these insights inspire you to think differently and live more fully. **We'd love to hear from you!** What's the best advice you've ever received? Share it in the comments below! Subscribe to *Think Your Way to an Epic Life* for more inspiring conversations about personal growth, mindset, happiness, and creating a life you love. #LifeAdvice #PersonalGrowth #LifeLessons #ThinkYourWayToAnEpicLife

October 13, 202657 min

How Childhood Trauma Affects Your Health | The Science of Healing

Can childhood trauma affect your physical health decades later? And what role does your identity play in healing? In this episode of Think Your Way to an Epic Life, host Kara Schug welcomes Bradley McDevitt, executive coach, leadership developer, and depth psychologist, to explore the fascinating connections between childhood trauma, identity, the brain, and physical health. Together, they dive into Chapter 9 of Cured by Dr. Jeffrey Rediger, examining how adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) may influence long-term health, how our sense of identity develops, and what research into spontaneous remission can teach us about the mind-body connection. In this episode, you'll discover: - How adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with chronic illness and long-term health outcomes - What the Default Mode Network reveals about the brain and our sense of identity - How childhood trauma can influence the nervous system, stress responses, and biological processes - The fascinating research behind spontaneous remission and unexplained recoveries - Why changing deeply rooted beliefs and patterns may be an important part of personal healing - How Bradley's 20+ years in professional theater shaped his approach to identity and leadership - The powerful question that could change how you see yourself About Bradley McDevitt Bradley McDevitt is the founder of IACULUS Coaching & Consulting, an executive coach, and a leadership development professional. He serves on the coaching team at the Center for Creative Leadership and teaches at Pacifica Graduate Institute. Combining depth psychology, creativity, and leadership development, Bradley helps individuals explore identity, reclaim personal agency, and create meaningful transformation. Learn more about Bradley: https://iaculus.org Special Offer: Listeners can receive 20% off Bradley's upcoming fall/winter workshops. Visit his website for more information. Resources Mentioned: 📖 Cured by Dr. Jeffrey Rediger — Available on Amazon and Audible 🧠 Take the Original ACE Questionnaire: https://omlumi.com/tests/ace-test 🔬 CDC — Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs): https://www.cdc.gov/aces/about/index.html 🌐 Bradley McDevitt / IACULUS: https://iaculus.org 🎙️ Bradley's Podcast Appearance: https://zeno.fm/podcast/a-world-of-difference/episodes/your-body-knows-before-your-brain-does-building-trust-through-somatic-leadership-with-bradley-mcdevitt/ 🔗 Connect with Bradley on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradleymcdevitt/ About Think Your Way to an Epic Life Join Kara Schug as she explores personal growth, mindset, self-awareness, and the tools that help us create more fulfilling lives. Through meaningful conversations with experts and thought leaders, discover new perspectives on how you think, live, and grow. If you enjoyed this conversation, subscribe to Think Your Way to an Epic Life for more episodes about personal development, mindset, emotional well-being, and transformation. This episode is for educational purposes and does not replace professional medical or mental health advice. ACE scores describe population-level risk, not an individual's medical destiny. Spontaneous remission stories do not establish that identity work can cure disease. #ChildhoodTrauma #MindBodyConnection #HealingYourIdentity #ACEs #PersonalGrowth

October 6, 202623 min

Why Am I So Hard on Myself? How to Turn Down Your Inner Critic

Why are you so hard on yourself? In this solo episode, life coach Kara Schug shares the inner critic she lived with for decades ("Way to go, genius… Can't you do anything right?") and the moment it switched sides and became her cheerleader. You'll learn where your inner critic comes from, what it's really costing you and your relationships, and four simple, research-backed steps to turn it down: Notice, Laugh, Reword, Breathe. Kara closes with a short guided breathwork and sentence-completion exercise. Please don't do it while driving. Free resource:✨ Destiny — a free guided experience to discover your superpower, your biggest internal block, and what you truly want: https://destiny-production-2619.up.railway.app/ Research mentioned: Li, Luyten & Midgley (2020), Childhood emotional abuse and depression: a systematic review Zalta et al. (2014), Change in negative cognitions in prolonged exposure therapy Masuda et al. (2004), Cognitive defusion and self-relevant negative thoughts Hatzigeorgiadis et al. (2011), Self-talk and sports performance: a meta-analysis Kross et al. (2014), Self-talk as a regulatory mechanism Balban et al. (2023), Brief structured respiration practices enhance mood Gilovich, Medvec & Savitsky (2000), The spotlight effect #InnerCritic #SelfTalk #SelfCompassion

September 29, 202630 min

People Pleaser or Just Kind? How to Tell and Who Pays the Price

Are you a people pleaser, or just a kind person? In this solo episode, recovering people pleaser and life coach Kara Schug breaks down how to tell the difference between genuine kindness and people pleasing — and why the difference matters. You’ll learn: 5 signs you might be a people pleaser The difference between kindness and people pleasing Where people pleasing starts and why it can become a survival strategy What people pleasing is costing you — and the people around you Why people may push back when you stop saying yes An 8-step “retraining manual” for setting boundaries without guilt Simple ways to say no without over-explaining A guided breathwork and sentence-completion exercise to help you practice Free resources: 📧 Full people-pleasing sentence-completion set: email kara@karaschug.com with “people pleasing” in the subject line ✨ Destiny — a free guided experience to discover your superpower, your biggest internal block, and what you truly want: https://destiny-production-2619.up.railway.app/ Research mentioned: Butler, Gross et al. (2003), The Social Consequences of Expressive Suppression Lebowitz et al. (2020), SPACE parent-based treatment for childhood anxiety Wood, Quinn & Kashy (2002), Habits in Everyday Life MacBeth & Gumley (2012), Self-compassion meta-analysis Neff & Beretvas (2013), Self-compassion in romantic relationships

September 22, 202656 min

How to Stop Self-Sabotage & Break Bad Habits | Brigitta Dau

In this episode, we sit down with Brigitta Dau, a Certified Life Coach, Reiki Master, Author, and Pilates Instructor, to talk about self-sabotage, breaking bad habits, personal growth, and creating a more meaningful life. Brigitta shares her unique journey from professional actress in Canada and Los Angeles to Pilates instructor, life coach, and Reiki Master. We discuss why people often get in their own way, how negative habits develop, and what we can do to create lasting change. We also talk about: Why we self-sabotage and how to recognize it Breaking negative habits and creating empowering ones The connection between physical and personal well-being Brigitta's experience giving up alcohol Body image and personal growth Meditation and mindfulness Reiki and energy healing The importance of creativity, play, and crafting Finding purpose and living a meaningful life Brigitta's journey from acting to coaching Brigitta has written two books and works with clients through virtual one-on-one coaching sessions and online workshops. Learn more about Brigitta: Website: BrigittaDau.com Instagram: @BrigittaDauCoaching Facebook: Brigitta Dau Coaching 🎁 FREE OFFER: Mention this podcast episode when reaching out to Brigitta and receive a free distance Reiki transmission with her Reiki Transmission Group. Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the episode, make sure to like, subscribe, and share the podcast with someone who might benefit from the conversation. Destiny, the app we built to help people self-discover their biggest superpower, their biggest internal block, and what they really want. Destiny App: https://destiny-production-2619.up.railway.app/

September 15, 202644 min

Stop Comparing Yourself & Start Loving Your Life | Veronica Castro-Albano

In this episode, we sit down with Veronica Castro-Albano, a Certified Women’s Transformational Life Coach, author, and speaker who helps women stop comparing themselves, love who they are, and live a more meaningful life. Veronica shares the personal story that led her to create Souls Tide Women’s Life Coaching and discusses her journey through clinical depression and anxiety, becoming a mother, writing and publishing books, and ultimately becoming a transformational life coach. We talk about why so many women lose touch with their own dreams and goals while taking care of their families, careers, and everyone around them—and how to reconnect with yourself, stop comparing yourself to others, and find more meaning and joy in your own life. Veronica's message is simple: you don't want to wake up one day and realize you missed your own life. In this conversation: - Why we constantly compare ourselves to others - Learning to love and accept who you are - Finding yourself again when you've become disconnected from your own goals - How to stop living according to other people's expectations - Finding more meaning, purpose, and joy in everyday life - Veronica's personal journey with depression and anxiety - Becoming a transformational life coach and entrepreneur - Why it's never too late to pursue your dreams - How to become more intentional with the life you're living right now Connect with Veronica Castro-Albano: Instagram: @soulstide Facebook: @soulstide YouTube: @SOULSTIDE LinkedIn: Veronica Castro-Albano Website: soulstide.com FREE GUIDE: Veronica offers a free "Check In With Yourself" reflection guide to help you pause, reconnect with yourself, and recognize what you may need in this season of your life. #SelfLove #PersonalGrowth #LifeCoaching

September 8, 202631 min

You’ve Done the Inner Work… So Why Aren’t You Happier? | Carolyn Brouillard

Why does personal growth sometimes stall—even when you've read the books, done the inner work, and tried to become a better version of yourself? In this episode, I sit down with Carolyn Brouillard, author of Your Untamed Truths: Reclaiming Self-Sovereignty, to talk about the gap between knowing what you want and actually living it. Carolyn has taken a fascinating path through life—from riding freight trains as a teenage punk, to building a corporate career, to retiring in her early 40s to pursue her dreams. Along the way, she discovered that even significant personal growth doesn't necessarily mean we've stopped getting in our own way. We talk about why personal growth can plateau, how old stories and patterns quietly influence our decisions, and what it means to live with greater self-sovereignty. Carolyn also shares practical ways to recognize when your actions aren't aligned with what you truly want, including two simple questions she uses to cut through the noise: Is it mine? Does it align? In this conversation, we discuss: • Why personal growth stalls even when you're doing the work • The difference between insight and actually changing your life • Self-sabotage and the patterns that keep us stuck • What self-sovereignty really means • How to leave behind careers, relationships, and identities that no longer fit • Spiritual bypassing and the importance of telling yourself the truth • How to recognize when your choices aren't aligned with who you are • Setting boundaries and dealing with resistance from people around you • How to make more coherent decisions in everyday life • Finding your "life intention" and what you're here to master and share • The powerful question: "How good can it get?" Carolyn's book, Your Untamed Truths: Reclaiming Self-Sovereignty, is available through major book retailers. Learn more about Carolyn and Untamed Truths: https://www.youruntamedtruths.com/ Substack: https://untamedtruths.substack.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/untamed_truths/ If you enjoyed the conversation, be sure to subscribe for more conversations about personal growth, mindset, purpose, performance, and building a better life. #PersonalGrowth #SelfImprovement #SelfSovereignty