Behind The Human with Marc Champagne

Why is it that some ideas spread effortlessly while others disappear, even when they're objectively better? Colin Hodge joins Marc Champagne to explore the psychology behind startup growth, customer behavior, identity transformation, and the lessons learned from building successful companies over the last decade. They discuss why empathy is the foundation of sustainable growth, how entrepreneurs become trapped by their identities, the surprising role journaling and reflection have played in Colin's success, and what separates products people try from products they keep coming back to. Whether you're building a business, launching a creative project, or simply trying to create meaningful change in your own life, this conversation offers a powerful framework for understanding how people think, decide, and grow. Show Partners: Get your MENTAL FITNESS BLUEPRINT here! A special thanks to our mental fitness + sweat partner Sip Saunas Personal Socrates: Better Question, Better Life Connect with Marc: https://konect.to/marcchampagne Timestamps: 00:00 — The question that opens every interview: "Who are you?" 02:00 — Entrepreneurship, humor, and surviving difficult seasons 04:30 — The versions of ourselves that must die to grow 08:30 — Identity, self-worth, and the danger of attaching yourself to your work 10:00 — Gratitude, journaling, and facing fear directly 12:30 — Why reflection creates clarity and better decisions 13:30 — The surprising journey from entrepreneur to author 18:00 — The psychology behind startup growth 21:00 — Empathy: the foundation of every successful product 23:00 — Why understanding your users changes everything 24:00 — The mistake most founders make when defining their audience 25:30 — Marc's Mental Fitness Blueprint and the challenge of behavior change 29:00 — Identity shifts that unlock lasting habits 32:00 — The power of daily questions and micro-moments 33:00 — Mapping customer emotions and finding "magic moments" 35:00 — Why frustrated users may be your biggest opportunity 38:00 — The reality of writing and launching a book 42:00 — Turning marketing into a game of experimentation 46:00 — What Colin would do differently if launching another book 48:00 — USA Today Bestseller lessons and book launch strategy 50:00 — The power of endorsements, relationships, and persistence 52:00 — Playing to your strengths when growing anything 54:00 — The concept of "magic moments" and why they matter * Special props 👇 Music: Clouds - Joakim Karud Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This is a conversation about fear, obsession, and what happens when a scientist decides to rebuild the limits of human creativity. Marc sits down with Alex Mehr (scientist, entrepreneur, and founder of Famous Labs) for a conversation on mental resilience, entrepreneurship, and the future of AI-assisted creativity. Alex opens up about leaving his dream role at NASA, the emotional volatility of building companies, and the practical mental tools he uses to navigate fear, anger, desperation, and uncertainty. Make sure to check out Famous AI, the platform I used to build the Mental Fitness Blueprint! Show Partners: Get your MENTAL FITNESS BLUEPRINT here! A special thanks to our mental fitness + sweat partner Sip Saunas Personal Socrates: Better Question, Better Life Connect with Marc: https://konect.to/marcchampagne Timestamps: 00:00 — The question that opens every interview: “Who are you?” 01:00 — Alex’s transition from NASA scientist to entrepreneur 03:00 — Why curiosity alone isn’t enough in business 04:00 — The joy and politics of life inside scientific research 06:30 — How Silicon Valley changed the trajectory of Alex’s life 08:00 — The addictive freedom of entrepreneurship 09:00 — Fear, uncertainty, and the emotional realities of building companies 10:00 — Why anger can become one of the most useful emotions 12:00 — The difference between destructive emotion and productive action 14:00 — Using sleep and reflection to channel difficult emotions 15:00 — Desperation, long walks, and finding clarity 18:00 — The beach walk in Puerto Rico that changed everything 20:00 — The breakthrough idea behind Deal AI 22:00 — Why walking has shaped thinkers, founders, and leaders throughout history 23:00 — Alex’s “aluminum foil” method for deleting intrusive thoughts 26:00 — Mental clutter, consciousness, and creating space in the mind 29:00 — Why mastering the mind matters more than ever in the AI era 30:00 — The vision behind Famous Labs and AI-powered entrepreneurship 33:00 — Solving the “last 10% problem” in software creation 36:00 — How AI helps turn vague ideas into scalable products 39:00 — The future of AI-assisted execution and creativity 42:00 — Why most people never fully commit to their ideas 45:00 — Fear-based AI narratives vs. human creative potential 46:00 — The trait shared by history’s greatest creators and inventors 49:00 — Why mental fitness and AI must evolve together 50:00 — Final reflections on creativity, execution, and the future of humanity * Special props 👇 Music: Clouds - Joakim Karud Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This is a conversation about the invisible emotional weight people carry into work every single day and what happens when someone finally makes space for it. I sat down with Courtney O’Brien (HR leader and community builder) to explore the hidden emotional world inside modern workplaces. We unpack psychological safety, anxiety, spirituality at work, powerful questions, collective healing, and why humanity may be the most overlooked leadership skill of our time. From fear of flying and nervous system regulation to AI companionship and emotional intelligence in corporate culture, this episode challenges the idea that professionalism requires disconnection from ourselves. Courtney shares why she believes work can become a spiritual teacher, how shame silently shapes human behavior, and the simple practices that help people reconnect to themselves—and each other. Show Partners: Get your MENTAL FITNESS BLUEPRINT here! A special thanks to our mental fitness + sweat partner Sip Saunas Personal Socrates: Better Question, Better Life Connect with Marc: https://konect.to/marcchampagne Timestamps: 00:00 — “Who are you?” 01:18 — Growing up highly sensitive and learning to articulate emotions 02:43 — Loss, spirituality, and feeling connected to those who came before 03:22 — Why HR became Courtney’s “spiritual practice” 05:02 — Bridging humanity and corporate systems 06:34 — Leading with vulnerability at work 07:23 — Why most people secretly want deeper conversations at work 08:55 — Small experiments that change team culture 10:12 — Using psychological safety exercises in meetings 11:32 — The surprising reaction people have when given permission to share 13:09 — Relief, humor, and connection in the workplace 14:33 — The power of better questions 15:52 — Why powerful questions changed Courtney’s life 16:30 — “What do we owe each other?” 18:23 — Grace, challenge, and collective tension 19:53 — Why mentally fit teams operate differently 20:24 — Shame, judgment, and emotional healing 20:59 — Courtney’s nervous system reset practices 22:21 — Learning to care for yourself without disconnecting from the world 23:18 — Why healing practices became simpler over time 24:28 — The grounding practice Courtney uses daily 26:36 — The wisdom of the body and collective consciousness 27:08 — Overcoming a fear of flying through physical regulation 28:51 — How posture changes emotional states 29:34 — AI, consciousness, and intuitive leadership 31:53 — Translating “woo-woo” for corporate culture 33:16 — Why spiritual thinkers and tech founders sound increasingly similar 34:33 — Using AI for self-reflection and deeper questioning 35:08 — The rise of AI companionship and emotional projection 36:53 — The danger of judging conversations too quickly 37:52 — What gives Courtney hope for the future 39:19 — “What It Takes to Heal” and collective belonging 40:10 — Why anxiety points toward what matters most 41:20 — Final reflections on humanity, healing, and meaningful work * Special props 👇 Music: Clouds - Joakim Karud Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What does it actually take to grow on YouTube in 2026 — without losing yourself in the process? Former YouTube leader David shares the psychology behind great content, creator monetization, burnout, and how leaving a high-pressure career led him toward a more meaningful life and business.

Why is it that we chase longevity like it’s a number, yet ignore the daily behaviors that are aging us from the inside out? Most of us think longevity is about adding years. But what if it’s really about removing what no longer serves you at the cellular level and at the identity level? Renee Fitton — registered dietitian, longevity specialist, and one of the leading voices in fasting-mimicking science (VP at Prolon) — breaks down the biology of renewal… and the psychology that quietly shapes our habits. Show Partners:Get your MENTAL FITNESS BLUEPRINT here! A special thanks to our mental fitness + sweat partner Sip SaunasPersonal Socrates: Better Question, Better Life Connect with Marc: https://konect.to/marcchampagne Timestamps: 00:00 — The question that opens every interview: “Who are you?” 03:00 — Perfectionism, ambition, and living in the imperfect 07:00 — Personality tests, self-work, and using tools like ChatGPT for reflection 11:00 — Preparing for the Hoffman Process: deep psychological self-work 15:00 — How to prepare your body for intense personal growth 16:00 — Alcohol, sleep, and energy management before a retreat 18:00 — Why plant-based nutrition supports repair and rejuvenation 21:00 — Growth mode vs repair mode: the biology behind it 23:00 — Autophagy explained: your body’s cellular vacuum cleaner 25:00 — What is the fasting mimicking diet? 29:00 — Why prolonged fasting (3+ days) activates deep repair 31:00 — The mental shifts that happen during fasting 33:00 — Behavior change, food psychology, and identity 34:00 — Type 2 diabetes study: self-initiated behavior transformation 37:00 — Why five days can change your long-term habits 39:00 — Why water-only fasting feels harder 41:00 — How often should you fast for longevity? 44:00 — Gratitude journaling as a daily mental fitness tool 46:00 — The power of daily movement for emotional regulation 47:00 — Renewal at the cellular and personal level * Special props 👇 Music: Clouds - Joakim Karud See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Why is it that the stories that change our lives rarely begin with certainty, but with curiosity and risk? Marc sits down with author, ghostwriter, and screenwriter Platte Clark to explore why storytelling isn’t just an art form—it’s a survival tool. From abandoning law school for philosophy, to writing bestselling fiction, to ghostwriting more than two dozen books for thought leaders, Platte shares what he’s learned about creativity, courage, and the quiet mental practices that make meaningful work possible. This episode dives into the tension between art and business, the myth that creativity must be strategic to matter, and why naivety may actually be the greatest creative advantage we have left—especially in the age of AI. Show Partners:Get your MENTAL FITNESS BLUEPRINT here! A special thanks to our mental fitness + sweat partner Sip SaunasPersonal Socrates: Better Question, Better Life Connect with Marc: https://konect.to/marcchampagne Timestamps: 00:00 — The question that opens every interview: “Who are you?” 02:10 — Discovering the identity of a humanist 04:20 — Leaving law behind for philosophy and meaning 07:30 — Falling in love with learning (and being a lifelong student) 10:15 — Writing the first book without knowing the rules 13:40 — Why quitting your job to write is usually a bad idea (and why he did it anyway) 17:00 — The bird and the sword: a metaphor for creative balance 20:45 — Why writing the book is the easy part 24:30 — Ghostwriting, abundance, and unexpected opportunity 28:10 — Advice to first-time authors: protect your naivety 31:40 — AI, storytelling, and what machines can’t replace 34:50 — Mental fitness, breathwork, and creative recovery 38:30 — Music, movement, and engineering the creative environment 41:20 — Who reads the first draft (and why honesty matters) 43:10 — Why every human has a story worth telling 45:00 — Final reflections on humanity, story, and meaning * Special props 👇 Music: Clouds - Joakim Karud See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What if grief isn’t something you heal from…but something that teaches you how to love differently? Marc sits down with medium and spiritual guide Michelle Murphy to explore grief not as a problem to solve, but as an experience that reshapes identity, presence, and love itself. Michelle shares what she’s learned from over 20 years of guiding people through loss—why grief lives in the body, why time doesn’t “fix” it, and how moments of joy after loss often arrive wrapped in guilt. Together, they unpack the difference between missing someone and missing their presence, the danger of spiritual bypassing, and how love continues even when form disappears. Show Partners:Get your MENTAL FITNESS BLUEPRINT here! A special thanks to our mental fitness + sweat partner Sip SaunasPersonal Socrates: Better Question, Better Life Connect with Marc: https://konect.to/marcchampagne Timestamps: 00:00 — The question that opens every interview: “Who are you?” 02:00 — Being a medium: why it’s not something you can turn off 04:30 — Grief as an embodied experience (lungs, breath, nervous system) 07:15 — Why grief isn’t linear—and never really ends 10:30 — The isolation of grief and the healing power of being seen 13:45 — The four-year cycle: anniversaries, acceptance, and new reality 17:20 — “Grief is the price we pay for love” 20:10 — Why joy after loss often brings guilt 23:40 — Missing someone vs. missing their presence 27:00 — Spiritual bypassing and toxic positivity in grief 30:15 — What actually helps people who are grieving 34:50 — Love as continuity, not absence 38:30 — Final reflections on patience, presence, and living forward * Special props 👇 Music: Clouds - Joakim Karud See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What if success isn’t personal at all — but mathematical? Kyle Austin Young reveals why so many intelligent, capable people fail to reach their goals — even when they do everything “right.” Drawing from his own experience of repeated layoffs, personal burnout, and rebuilding his life through consulting, Kyle introduces a powerful framework for rethinking success through probability rather than motivation. Kyle explains how overwhelm, survival mode, and mental clutter don’t just affect our wellbeing — they distort our ability to make good decisions. Together, Marc and Kyle explore how success diagrams, probability hacking, and intentional reflection can radically improve the odds of achieving meaningful goals — personally and professionally. This is a conversation about slowing down, reclaiming agency, and learning how to design success instead of hoping for it. Show Partners:A special thanks to our mental fitness + sweat partner Sip SaunasPersonal Socrates: Better Question, Better Life Get in Touch: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/behindthehuman LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marc-champagne-🧠💪-14767b17/ Website: https://www.mchampagne.com/ Timestamps: 00:00 — The question that opens every interview: “Who are you?” 03:10 — From layoffs to consulting: redefining security 07:05 — The treehouse moment: why we miss what’s right in front of us 11:30 — Presence, overwhelm, and the cost of survival mode 15:20 — What is a success diagram? 18:45 — Why motivation lies and math tells the truth 23:40 — The danger of averaging probabilities 28:50 — Probability hacking: reducing risk creatively 34:10 — Why most advice is actually harmful 39:30 — Designing goals instead of chasing validation 44:00 — Mental fitness, clarity, and decision-making 47:30 — Non-negotiable practices for a clear mind 50:00 — What makes life meaningful now * Special props 👇 Music: Clouds - Joakim Karud See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.