Slay the Gatekeeper — “Un-Gatekeeping Why You’re a Victim”
Host: Courtney Johnson
Guest: Justin Amirah Salani
Date: September 9, 2025
Episode Overview
Courtney Johnson welcomes Justin Amirah Salani for a deep and energetic conversation about “un-gatekeeping” the secrets to personal growth, success, and getting out of a victim mindset. The episode doles out “cheat codes” for rewiring your brain, reframing sales, overcoming perfectionism, tackling triggers, and building a powerful community. The tone is raw, honest, empowering, and often playful, mixing anecdotes, mindset frameworks, and real talk.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. Authenticity, Taking Action, and Overcoming Perfectionism
- Delay in Recording: Justin admits his hesitation was about being seen and putting himself out there. Courtney’s influence and encouragement helped him finally “go for it.”
“You empowered me to start putting myself out there and just being authentic with my message.”
— Justin Amirah Salani [00:37]
- Reps over Qualifications: Both emphasize that massive success isn’t about being the smartest or most qualified—it's about taking repeated, imperfect action.
“The qualification for massive success is not your intelligence… it's the reps, it's the at bats.”
— Courtney Johnson [01:48]
- Perfectionism as Self-Sabotage:
“Perfectionism… waiting to have the qualifications… is literally just a limiting belief.”
— Justin [02:55]
2. Mindset, Subconscious Programming & Limiting Beliefs
- Intelligence as Self-Mastery: The real marker of intelligence is getting out of your own way and living your dream, not just being “good at your job.”
“True intelligence is, can you get over yourself? Can you get out of your own fucking way so you can live your dream?”
— Courtney [04:00]
- The Power of the Subconscious:
“98% of our decision making happens in the subconscious, in the unconscious. Only 2%… happens consciously.”
— Courtney [05:22]
- Cheat Code: Rewiring Your Beliefs:
“If you want to un-gatekeep something, rewiring your mind.”
— Justin [06:08]
- Receiving & Worthiness: Many people struggle to receive, which is a subtle form of rejecting abundance.
“Every time you say no, it's okay and you shoo it away, you're literally telling the universe, I don't feel worthy of this.”
— Justin [07:01]
3. Investing in Yourself & The Illogical Path to Success
- Ultrasuccessful People Invest First:
“It's illogical to drop 50 G's on a coach… I have yet to meet an ultra successful person that hasn't taken some risk on themselves.”
— Courtney [07:36]
- Show Up When You Invest:
“Anytime I have invested in myself prior, I've gotten very good results because of how deep I go, how all in I am.”
— Justin [08:44]
4. Communication: The Cheat Code of Not Arguing
- Ask Questions Instead of Arguing:
“People don't respond when you talk at them… especially in an argument. Especially when there's tension.”
— Justin [09:32]
- Justin demonstrates, in a playful back-and-forth about pizza (10:13-11:11), how gentle questioning reframes the conversation toward collaboration and enhanced outcomes.
5. Victim Language and Empowering Narratives
- Spotting Victim Language: Words like “have to” and “should” signal lack of gratitude and powerlessness.
“Have to is literally saying, I am forced to do something. You're not. You're never forced to do anything.”
— Justin [12:05]
- Shift to Gratitude:
“I'm blessed to” and “I get to” instantly upgrade your mindset and vibrational state.
— Justin [13:57]
- Courtney highlights how shifting language with clients can initially feel uncomfortable, but is critical for growth. [14:22-15:06]
6. Reframing Sales and Handling Objections
- Sales as Empowerment:
“Just them investing in themselves is an absolute blessing.”
— Justin [15:34]
- Handling Objections: Not Just About Money
“Offloading the decision is again the same victim cycle… really allowing people to take ownership over their life… and own it.”
— Justin [20:01]
- Objections Are Patterns:
“If they're outsourcing their decision making to their partner in this sales process, they're probably… doing it in other areas of their life.”
— Courtney [20:35]
7. Triggers as Invitations for Growth
- Triggers Are Neutral Data:
“Triggers are all within… they are beliefs formed around experiences.”
— Justin [27:01]
- Love Your Triggers:
“Imagine if you were to break through all of your triggers… only thing that mattered was your heart, your vision.”
— Justin [28:59]
- Acting from Vision Not Fear: Courtney passionately explains why it’s “selfish” and damaging to the world to play small or ignore your dreams.
“You are robbing the fucking world of that purpose.”
— Courtney [24:07]
8. Community, Environment, and Collective Upleveling
- Community Mirrors Mindset:
“If you are surrounded by people that are up-leveling themselves… your brain will do everything it can to belong.”
— Courtney [34:49]
- Isolation vs. Community:
“My mind then compared to now is… night and day. One of the biggest things ever is community.”
— Justin [35:53]
- Receiving Complements and Support: Tied back to the theme of worthiness, ending with, “Accept compliments.” [39:36]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On Action and Success:
“The one who is willing to try is the qualification.”
— Justin quoting Courtney [01:08] -
On Limiting Beliefs:
“Raw action solves all.”
— Justin [03:55] -
On Healing Your Subconscious:
“Rewiring your beliefs is probably one of the most beneficial things anybody can do.”
— Justin [06:01] -
On Receiving:
“Every single time somebody offers you something… even a compliment… you're literally telling the universe, I don't feel worthy of this.”
— Justin [07:01] -
On Arguing:
“You don't argue. It is wizard shit.”
— Courtney [09:25] -
On Gratitude:
“Why the hell would the universe give you more?”
— Justin [13:57] -
On Community:
“If you are around a bunch of broke people, your brain will do everything it can to belong.”
— Courtney [34:49]
Timestamps for Important Segments
- [00:37] Justin shares on overcoming the fear of being visible
- [01:48] Courtney reframes qualifications for success
- [04:00] Intelligence as living your dream, not just being skilled
- [05:22] The importance of subconscious programming
- [07:36] Investing in yourself and the “illogical” risks ultra-successful people take
- [09:32] Justin’s “ask questions, don’t argue” approach, with pizza example
- [12:05] Victim language and the power of gratitude
- [15:34] Reframing sales and the blessing of investing in oneself
- [20:01] Objection handling equals limiting belief handling
- [24:07] Courtney’s trigger: people not connected to their dreams
- [28:59] The power of loving one’s triggers
- [34:49] The cheat code of community and environmental influence
Cheat Codes Shared in the Episode
- Take imperfect action — it compounds
- Reprogram your subconscious, especially limiting beliefs
- Actively practice receiving (even compliments)
- Invest in yourself, even when it’s scary or seems “illogical”
- Ask questions instead of arguing to reduce drama
- Use empowered language: “get to” and “blessed to” instead of “have to”
- Reframe sales as a blessing and help clients face limiting beliefs
- Triggers are neutral feedback — love them and learn from them
- Do your dishes and keep your space clean — your environment reflects your mind
- Find community — your tribe shapes your reality
- Accept compliments — don't block the flow of abundance
In the Same Spirit
Throughout, Courtney and Justin maintain a playful, sometimes irreverent tone, peppering in jokes (“Eat mushrooms. It solves all the problems.” — Courtney [31:13]), personal stories, and reminders not to take life too seriously. Both encourage listeners to consistently challenge self-imposed limits and step into a life that reflects their aspirations.
For more from Courtney, check out her Patreon for extra resources and “juicy shit.” For coaching, find Justin on Instagram (@JustinAmirahSalani).