Creating Confidence with Heather Monahan Episode #481: Confidence Classic: Discover YOUR Road To SUCCESS With Mike Baer, Life Coach & Founder-CEO At CAST Centers Release Date: November 20, 2024

In episode #481 of Creating Confidence with Heather Monahan, host Heather Monahan, alongside co-host Gina, welcomes Mike Baer, a renowned life coach and Founder-CEO of CAST Centers, to delve deep into the journey of building confidence and discovering one's unique path to success. This insightful conversation traverses Mike's extensive career, strategies for finding purpose, overcoming adversities, and practical exercises for personal development. The episode is a treasure trove for listeners aspiring to elevate their lives and careers.

Introduction and Guest Background

The episode kicks off with Heather introducing Mike Baer, highlighting his impressive credentials. Gina elaborates on Mike's multifaceted career, noting his achievements and contributions to the field of personal development.

Gina [01:29]: "Mike Baer is a two-time New York Times bestselling author and a TV personality and personal development coach whose mission is to help people achieve sound mental health in order to become their best selves."

Mike's journey from a drug and alcohol counselor to a high-profile life coach underscores his dedication and expertise in fostering mental well-being and personal growth.

Mike Baer’s Career Journey

Mike reflects on his early career challenges, emphasizing the non-linear path he navigated to reach his current success. He candidly shares the hardships he faced, from modest beginnings to establishing CAST Centers as a leading dual diagnosis treatment center in Los Angeles.

Mike Baer [02:51]: "Overnight success, especially in the coaching space, isn't real. I started off working with clients for $90 an hour, staying in $30 a night motel rooms, trying to get scholarships... It didn't happen overnight."

Mike underscores the importance of perseverance and self-discovery, highlighting that true success is a product of sustained effort and continuous learning rather than overnight fame.

Finding Purpose: Strategies and Insights

A significant portion of the conversation centers on discovering and redefining one's purpose. Mike shares his evolving sense of purpose, illustrating how personal and professional experiences shape this journey.

Mike Baer [03:57]: "I'm constantly redefining my purpose. Every three or four years, I go through a sort of midlife crisis because my purpose always seems to change."

He discusses the interplay between personal fulfillment and professional endeavors, emphasizing that meaningful purpose often involves adding value to others' lives and staying connected with the real world.

Mike Baer [05:54]: "Purpose is to live a life that we're really proud of and happy and have peace with."

Mike advocates for granting oneself permission to embrace different purposes at various life stages, fostering adaptability and self-compassion.

Reinventing and Overcoming Challenges

Heather and Gina share personal anecdotes about career setbacks and reinvention, drawing parallels with Mike's experiences. Gina recounts being fired from a C-suite position and the emotional turmoil that ensued, highlighting the universal nature of such challenges.

Gina [10:14]: "Getting fired was a moment of total shame and total failure... I had to learn to trust myself in the dark without a magic roadmap."

Mike emphasizes the significance of resilience and adaptability in reinventing oneself, especially when navigating uncharted territories without predefined guidance.

Mike Baer [13:13]: "When you're starting over, hire a coach. Ask someone who has been where you are to help accelerate your journey."

This segment serves as a testament to the power of mentorship and the importance of seeking guidance during pivotal career transitions.

Practical Exercises for Personal Development

The duo delves into actionable strategies and exercises that listeners can employ to foster personal growth and confidence. Mike introduces the concept of creating an "alter ego" to better understand and manage one's emotions and behaviors.

Mike Baer [24:17]: "Create your best version of self and your anti-self. Give them names and characteristics to navigate your emotions with a bit of humor."

He also discusses the "one decision away" philosophy, encouraging individuals to make small, deliberate choices that can catalyze significant life changes.

Mike Baer [24:17]: "Making one decision is like going into a whole new lane. It's a chain reaction that can lead to transformative outcomes."

These exercises are designed to help individuals identify blind spots, prioritize their well-being, and take actionable steps toward achieving their goals.

Common Holdbacks in Achieving Success

Mike identifies key barriers that prevent individuals from reaching their full potential. He highlights insecurity and the excessive need for external validation as primary obstacles.

Mike Baer [27:02]: "Insecurity is the most prevalent. Needing other people's opinions to validate yourself is a significant holdback."

He points out that wealth, physical appearance, or status do not inherently equate to self-esteem or happiness. Instead, genuine fulfillment arises from authentic relationships and self-acceptance.

Mike Baer [27:02]: "People want to be loved by others—friends, family, kids—and that's what they truly crave."

Mike encourages listeners to shift their focus inward, fostering self-love and reducing reliance on external validation to build lasting confidence.

Self-Awareness and Continuous Learning

The conversation takes a reflective turn as Gina shares her personal story about self-awareness and the misconceptions she held about her own behavior.

Gina [39:18]: "I believed I was very even-keeled and calm, yet my CFO pointed out I was not self-aware. It was a humbling moment that pushed me to dig deeper."

Mike relates by discussing the continuous nature of self-improvement and the importance of being open to feedback.

Mike Baer [41:34]: "We're always trying to get better at what we can do. It's about learning more, questioning ourselves, and growing consistently."

He emphasizes that self-awareness is an ongoing journey, requiring humility and a willingness to evolve in response to new insights and challenges.

Building and Managing Partnerships

Mike addresses the complexities of partnerships, both in business and personal realms. He shares insights into why many partnerships fail, drawing from statistics and personal observations.

Mike Baer [38:49]: "The divorce rate is about 50% in the U.S., and I imagine the partnership dissolve rate is even higher. Partnerships are tricky unless there's an amazing dynamic."

He advises thorough research and clear communication before entering into partnerships to mitigate potential conflicts and ensure mutual growth.

Mike Baer [38:49]: "Ask for help, seek mentorship, and don't rush into partnerships without understanding the dynamics and expectations of all parties involved."

This segment underscores the importance of deliberate planning and support systems in fostering successful collaborations.

Conclusion and Connecting with Mike Baer

As the episode draws to a close, Heather and Gina invite listeners to engage further with Mike Baer through his podcast and books. Mike provides information on how to access his resources and connect with him for coaching and personal development support.

Mike Baer [44:35]: "You can find me on all social media as Coach Mike Baer, and my book is available on Amazon or wherever books are sold."

Heather encourages the audience to take decisive steps toward their personal and professional goals by leveraging the insights shared in the episode.

Gina [45:04]: "So it's one decision, and you got to check it out. Thank you to everybody listening. Go check out Mike's stuff. You will not regret it."

Key Takeaways

1. Perseverance Over Overnight Success: True confidence and success are built through sustained effort, resilience, and continuous learning rather than expecting immediate results.

2. Evolving Purpose: Personal and professional purposes are dynamic, requiring regular reflection and adaptation to align with one's values and life stages.

3. Actionable Exercises: Implementing practical strategies, such as creating alter egos or making one decisive choice, can significantly impact personal growth and confidence.

4. Overcoming Insecurity: Reducing the dependence on external validation and fostering self-love are crucial for building lasting confidence and happiness.

5. The Power of Self-Awareness: Being open to feedback and committing to ongoing self-improvement are essential for personal and professional development.

6. Navigating Partnerships: Successful partnerships require thorough research, clear communication, and understanding to prevent conflicts and ensure mutual growth.

Final Thoughts

Episode #481 of Creating Confidence with Heather Monahan offers a comprehensive exploration of building confidence and discovering one's path to success through Mike Baer's expert insights. Listeners are empowered to take actionable steps towards personal growth, embrace their evolving purposes, and overcome common barriers to achieve authentic fulfillment and success.

For those seeking to delve deeper into these topics, Mike Baer's resources provide valuable tools and guidance to continue the journey of self-improvement and confidence building.