Podcast Summary:

THE ED MYLETT SHOW
Episode: Why Who You Become Matters More Than What You Do (Feat. Dr. Josh Axe)
Release Date: September 2, 2025

Episode Overview

In this engaging conversation, Ed Mylett welcomes Dr. Josh Axe, renowned health expert, author, and founder, to discuss the powerful connection between mindset, personal character, and long-term well-being. Moving beyond common health and nutrition themes, the episode centers on Dr. Axe’s new book, Think This, Not That, and explores why the person you become is more important than what you accomplish. Through candid storytelling, practical advice, and spiritual reflections, Ed and Dr. Axe unpack how mindset influences healing, legacy, and fulfillment.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Redefining Success: From Accomplishing to Becoming (03:04–05:55)

• Shift in Perspective:
  Dr. Axe challenges the traditional view that success is solely about outward achievements. Instead, he stresses the importance of becoming a person of high character and virtue.
  • “I think that God looks at those and he says, hey, I want you to do that. But even more than that, I want you to become somebody great. I want you to become like Jesus.” —Dr. Axe (03:25)
• Legacy Reflections:
  A moving story about Dr. Axe’s grandfather’s funeral illustrated that people will remember who you were, not just what you did.
  • “But I thought, people at your funeral saying, this person brought me to the Lord, they were my best friend, they impacted my life positively... that’s what success is.” —Dr. Axe (04:08)
• Practical Tip:
  Maintain not just a “to-do” list, but a “become list” to remind yourself of the kind of person you wish to develop into during daily life challenges.
• Ed’s Reflection:
  • “We spend so much of our life doing and not enough being or becoming... the person you’re becoming, growing closer to God... that does fulfill. That does last.” —Ed Mylett (06:05)

2. Healing the Past with “Memory Transplants” (07:26–11:43)

• Origin of Limiting Beliefs:
  Dr. Axe explains that past memories deeply influence current thoughts, identity, and behavior, often holding people back from growth.
• Personal Story:
  He recounts being told by a teacher that he’d never be a doctor due to poor grades, juxtaposed with a later English professor who affirmed his talent. This empowering new memory changed his self-perception and future trajectory.
  • “I went from this memory... that totally destroyed my confidence... and I took this new memory and said, I’m going to replace this old memory with this new one.” —Dr. Axe (09:47)
• Tactic:
  Surround yourself with uplifting people or mentors who can help reshape your inner narrative (12:00). For those lacking positive past experiences, lean into faith and scriptural truths about your identity.

3. The Power of Identity, Belief, and Parental Influence (13:04–16:28)

• Belief Transmission:
  Ed underscores that as parents or leaders, the beliefs we instill in children or teams deeply shape their self-concept.
  • “Most parents love their kids, but very few instill belief in them... As a parent, one of your number one jobs is... the beliefs you’re imprinting into this precious person.” —Ed Mylett (14:52)
• God’s View:
  Dr. Axe points to scripture as a primary resource for encouraging words and unshakeable identity.

4. Mindset as the Driver of Healing and Success (16:28–21:24)

• Patient Outcomes:
  Dr. Axe observed that patients’ mindsets often determined their healing outcomes more than their physical interventions.
• Personal Trial:
  Dr. Axe details a severe spine infection that left him bed-bound for months, describing how visualization, prayer, and belief in healing played an essential role in his recovery and the writing of his book.
  • “I wrote this entire book while I was in bed... It was a mental battle. I kept having thoughts creep in, like... you’ll never heal 100%.” —Dr. Axe (20:11)

5. Visualization (Mental Rehearsal) as a Biblical and Scientific Tool (21:24–26:33)

• Scriptural Roots:
  The discussion connects visualization to biblical principles (e.g., God’s instruction to Abraham to “look at the stars”), reframing it as deeply spiritual, not just scientific.
• Peak Performance:
  Dr. Axe shares anecdotes from working with Olympic athletes like Michael Phelps, who mentally rehearsed every detail of his races.
• Three Keys to Visualization:
  1. Be specific in what you visualize.
  2. Feel the emotions of the desired state.
  3. Create and follow a concrete plan to reinforce belief.
• Ed’s Experience:
  Visualizing not just weight loss but feeling what his new body would feel like made sustained change easier.
  • “My body is conspiring with my mind now... for the first time ever, started to really visualize, mentally rehearse what I wanted to look like and... feel like.” —Ed Mylett (27:06)

6. Spiritual and Physical Rituals for Daily Well-being (28:59–30:21)

• Morning Routine:
  Dr. Axe sets the tone for his day through a “spiritual triathlon”: gratitude, prayer, a walk in the sun, and meditation on scripture.
  • “Starting my morning with the opposite of entitlement... with gratitude... changes my entire day.” —Dr. Axe (29:12)

7. HRV (Heart Rate Variability), Stress, and Healthspan (31:24–34:08)

• HRV as a Vital Metric:
  Ed and Dr. Axe discuss heart rate variability as a lesser-known but vital measurement of health and longevity, influenced most by stress levels.
  • “Everything else pales in comparison... to stress. It is by far the greatest thing that impacts [HRV].” —Dr. Axe (32:22)
• Counteracting Busyness:
  Dr. Axe advises high-achievers to purposefully slow down everyday actions and reduce over-scheduling to improve HRV.

8. Approach to Health and Prioritization (35:30–37:28)

• How Much Should We Focus on Health? Dr. Axe would ask Jesus how much attention we should really devote to physical health versus spiritual practices, echoing Apostle Paul’s perspective that spiritual growth is of highest value.
  • “People that are sickest, most of them are so focused on... getting healthy. Sometimes, you actually don’t need to think about it as much.” —Dr. Axe (36:32)

9. Virtue Over Vice: “Bust Vices by Building Virtues” (39:31–43:18)

• Character as Legacy:
  Fulfillment comes from growing in Christlike character and maximizing one’s unique calling—not just defeating vices but crowding them out with pursuit of virtue.
  • “If you want to be your best self, become more Christlike... and take your unique gift God’s given you to the highest level possible.” —Dr. Axe (40:00)
• Balanced Leadership:
  The most effective leaders are marked by a balance of virtues (truth and love, compassion and wisdom), rather than the overemphasis of a single trait.

10. End-of-Life Reflection: Pouring Yourself Out (44:32–47:24)

• What Does “Poured Out” Look Like?
  Dr. Axe aspires to give his all as a husband, father, healer, and child of God—leaving a legacy of patience, kindness, intentionality, and encouragement.
  • “If I was a great husband and father, I feel like I will have run a good race.” —Dr. Axe (47:08)
• Mother Teresa’s Influence:
  • “If you want to change the world, go home and love your family.” —Mother Teresa, cited by Dr. Axe (46:00)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Redefining Success:
  • “We’re not called to do great things; we’re called to become certain types of people.” —Dr. Axe (03:35)
• Memory Transplants:
  • “There are so many people today... who have allowed a belittling comment or a limiting belief to dictate their future." —Dr. Axe (10:42)
• On Visualization:
  • “God uses visualization with Abraham. So I see this in the Bible, I see it in life and sports.” —Dr. Axe (23:37)
• On Instilling Belief:
  • “What are you imprinting into this child in terms of what they believe about themselves?” —Ed Mylett (14:56)
• Stress and Speed:
  • “It’s almost something programmed in you... that you can reprogram... Just literally everything, slow it down.” —Dr. Axe (33:07)
• Intentional Parenting:
  • “Just calling out the greatness in her. So I think if I get to the end of my life and if I grew in those areas, if I was a great husband and father, I feel like I will have run a good race.” —Dr. Axe (47:12)

Important Timestamps

• Intro & Episode Purpose – 00:47–02:09
• Redefining Success – 03:04–05:55
• Memory Transplants & Overcoming Limiting Beliefs – 07:26–11:43
• The Power of Identity and Belief – 13:04–16:28
• Mindset’s Role in Healing – 16:28–21:24
• Visualization and Faith – 21:24–26:33
• Daily Spiritual Practice – 28:59–30:21
• HRV and the Speed of Life – 31:24–34:08
• Balancing Health Prioritization – 35:30–37:28
• Virtues Over Vices – 39:31–43:18
• End-of-Life “Pour Me Out” Reflection – 44:32–47:24

Tone and Style

The tone is candid, warm, spiritually infused, and practical—balancing vulnerability (especially in Josh’s stories of adversity) with implementable wisdom. Both Ed and Dr. Axe maintain an encouraging, faith-centered perspective, constantly linking personal stories to universal life lessons.

Conclusion

This is an episode rich in heart, wisdom, and actionable insights. Dr. Josh Axe and Ed Mylett invite listeners to radically reorient their lives—focusing not just on what they achieve but on who they are becoming and how their beliefs shape their futures. With stories of healing, faith, and legacy, they offer both inspiration and a toolkit that blends mindset, virtue, and health for a more meaningful, well-lived life.

Recommended Actions:

• Consider creating your own “become list” alongside your daily to-dos.
• Seek mentors and communities that reinforce positive identity.
• Practice daily visualization—focus on detailed, emotionally resonant visions.
• Slow down, schedule margin, and cultivate virtues over vices.
• Share the episode with someone who will benefit from these transformative ideas.

Books Mentioned:

• Think This, Not That — Dr. Josh Axe
• The Biblio Diet — Dr. Josh Axe