If you’ve ever felt like entrepreneurship is a battle against fear, doubt, and burnout, this episode is for you. But what if the key to winning wasn’t about pushing harder—but shifting how you see the fight?

In this powerful conversation, Marine veteran, former police officer, TEDx speaker, and mental resilience expert Joe Smarro shares his journey from combat to crisis intervention and how he developed life-changing strategies for overcoming stress, mastering emotions, and scaling a business without losing yourself in the process.

Joe’s story proves that the most dangerous battlefield isn’t outside of us—it’s in our own minds.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How your world is a 3D print of your thoughts—and how to rewire it for success.
• The hidden addiction to distraction and why true wellness requires active pursuit.
• Why safety and security are created, not chased—and how to build them within yourself.
• How to win in business and life by focusing on the person before the problem and the connection before the correction.
• Joe’s five-step de-escalation process to improve relationships, leadership, and emotional intelligence.
• The parallel between PTSD and entrepreneurship—and how to break free from survival mode.
• Why being authentic isn’t just about “being real” but about breaking the need to people-please and owning your power.

Key Takeaways:
✔ Curiosity leads to connection—and connection builds trust, which drives real change.
✔ Entrepreneurs often sabotage themselves by chasing validation instead of real success.
✔ Boundaries are a form of self-respect—saying “no” to others means saying “yes” to yourself.
✔ True wellness isn’t a destination; it’s an active pursuit—a daily commitment to becoming your best self.
✔ De-escalation isn’t just for crisis situations—it’s a tool for building stronger relationships in business and life.

Timestamps:
[00:02:00] – Joe’s powerful backstory: From Marine combat veteran to mental resilience expert.
[00:07:30] – The hidden addiction to distraction: Why high performers struggle with fulfillment.
[00:12:00] – The false promise of “if I just get this, then I’ll be happy” & the power of active pursuit.
[00:20:00] – The reality of PTSD, trauma, and how to break free from self-sabotage.
[00:33:00] – Joe’s 5-step De-escalation Model (CCR-TC) and how it applies to business & leadership.
[00:45:00] – The importance of connection: Why customer experience is about leadership, not control.
[00:54:00] – How to reframe compliance as helping people become the person to get the result.
[01:00:00] – How Joe applies daily habits for mental wellness & resilience.

Choose Your Next Steps:
Follow Joe Smarro on social media for more insights on mental resilience and leadership. Instagram
Website
SolutionPoint+

Join our community of high-performing entrepreneurs committed to mastering their mindset & scaling with impact. (Insert community link)

Follow & Review the podcast on your favorite platform—your feedback helps us keep delivering game-changing content!

Resources mentioned in the episode:
Book Recommendations – Unarmed by Joe Smarro & The Obstacle is the Way by Ryan Holiday
​​I See You | Joseph A. Smarro | TEDxSanAntonio
Ernie & Joe: Crisis Cops (2019): Official Trailer | HBO

Mental resilience, de-escalation training, emotional intelligence, entrepreneurship mindset, overcoming PTSD, self-sabotage, leadership strategies, personal growth, business success, trauma recovery, stress management, mental health for entrepreneurs.

If you're feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or like nothing is working, this episode is for you. In just nine minutes, I’m sharing a simple yet powerful formula to help you reset, realign, and take action toward what truly matters. It’s not about pushing harder or suffering more—it’s about recognizing the signals your mind and body are sending and learning how to respond in a way that moves you forward.

In this episode, I walk you through the three-step process I use with my clients (and myself) to navigate moments of frustration, doubt, and burnout. You’ll learn how to pause, reset, and release, so you can shift from feeling stuck to stepping into clarity and momentum.

• Recognizing the Signal – When you feel stuck, it’s not a sign to push harder; it’s an invitation to pause and realign.
• The 3 R’s: Rest, Reset, Release – A simple framework to help you navigate overwhelm and get back into momentum.
• Emotions Aren’t the Enemy – Learn how to separate feelings from facts and process emotions in a way that empowers you.
• Your Humanity is Your Superpower – The most successful entrepreneurs aren’t just masters of strategy; they’re masters of self-awareness.

Your journey matters, and you’re not alone in this. If this episode resonated with you, let me know! Send me a DM on Instagram @itsgeorgebryant, and if you’re ready to dive deeper, don’t miss our upcoming event where we’ll go even further into these strategies. Tickets are limited, so DM me "event" or visit mindofgeorge.com/event to secure your spot. See you there!

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We weren’t meant to do this alone… Whether it be business, relationships, or life. This is why this is an invitation for you…to join us inside the Relationships Beat Algorithms Alliance!!!

Click here for a summary of the Alliance because if you're coming here into the show notes, there's a good chance you already know! ;)

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We’ve made it easy to see George’s top 10 book recommendations! Click here to find George’s top 10 recommended books for mindset, customer journey, and relationships.

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Questions or comments about the episode? I’d love to hear from you! Send me a DM over on Instagram @itsgeorgebryant or pop on over to our free Facebook community, Relationship Beat Algorithms.

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Links not showing? Hop on over to our podcast blog, mindofgeorge.com/podcast for all the links from the show notes.

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What do we talk about in this episode?

[00:01:00] The Power of Awareness – The first step to getting unstuck is recognizing that you’re in a loop.
[00:03:00] The 3 R’s Framework – Rest, Reset, and Release: how to create space for clarity.
[00:06:30] Processing Emotions Effectively – Why allowing yourself to feel is the key to breakthrough moments.
[00:09:00] Looking at Your Progress – A simple way to shift your mindset and regain confidence.
[00:12:00] You Are Your Biggest Asset – Why personal growth is the key to business success.

In this episode of The Mind of George Show, I sat down with my brother in Christ and entrepreneurial powerhouse, Steven Pemberton. From becoming a father at 20 while working at the post office to building and losing multiple businesses, Steven’s journey is a masterclass in resilience, faith, and finding value beyond financial success. We dive into the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, how to shift from scarcity to abundance, and why the biggest breakthroughs come from focusing on the gains, not the gaps.

Steven shares the hard truths about self-worth, how to keep moving forward when everything seems lost, and the mindset shifts that turned his struggles into massive wins. If you're navigating the rollercoaster of business or life, this episode is packed with wisdom, perspective shifts, and actionable steps to help you turn challenges into opportunities. Get ready for a raw, unfiltered conversation that will leave you inspired and ready to take on the world.

• Your Worth is Not Defined by Your Success
• Entrepreneurship is a Rollercoaster, Not a Straight Path
• Focus on What Actually Moves the Needle
  Take Imperfect Action and Sell Before You’re Ready
• Surround Yourself with the Right People

Want to dive deeper into mindset shifts, entrepreneurship strategies, and life-changing insights? Follow George and Steven on Instagram, where they share exclusive content, behind-the-scenes moments, and valuable advice to help you thrive in business and beyond.

Don’t just listen—engage!

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We weren’t meant to do this alone… Whether it be business, relationships, or life. This is why this is an invitation for you…to join us inside the Relationships Beat Algorithms Alliance!!!

Click here for a summary of the Alliance because if you're coming here into the show notes, there's a good chance you already know! ;)

—

We’ve made it easy to see George’s top 10 book recommendations! Click here to find George’s top 10 recommended books for mindset, customer journey, and relationships.

—

Questions or comments about the episode? I’d love to hear from you! Send me a DM over on Instagram @itsgeorgebryant or pop on over to our free Facebook community, Relationship Beat Algorithms.

—

Links not showing? Hop on over to our podcast blog, mindofgeorge.com/podcast for all the links from the show notes.

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What do we talk about in this episode?

[00:00:00] Introduction: Why this episode is one of the most value-packed yet
[00:02:00] Steven’s journey: From struggling entrepreneur to thriving business owner
[00:06:00] The real definition of value and why so many entrepreneurs miss it
[00:10:00] Imposter syndrome and how to overcome it with self-reflection
[00:15:00] Lessons from a driving instructor: Zooming out for long-term success
[00:20:00] Why your network determines your net worth and how to find the right people
[00:25:00] The lowest point: Living in a basement and barely affording food
[00:30:00] A mindset shift that changed everything—seeing failure differently
[00:35:00] The unexpected decision to shut down a $100K/month business
[00:40:00] Trusting the process even when the next step isn’t clear
[00:45:00] The importance of stretching beyond comfort to set a new standard
[00:50:00] How to stay committed and keep moving forward through uncertainty