Podcast Summary: The Everyday Millionaire and Mindset Matters Podcast

Episode 234: Nick Jonsson – Men, Leadership and Mental Health: A Candid Conversation

Host: Patrick Francey
Guest: Nick Jonsson
Date: December 9, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode features Nick Jonsson, an internationally recognized thought leader on executive loneliness, global keynote speaker, and bestselling author. The candid conversation dives deep into men’s leadership, the stigma of mental health in high-performing environments, the journey to holistic well-being, and Nick's five-step model for sustainable leadership. Both Nick and Patrick share vulnerable moments from their lives, offering insights and actionable takeaways for leaders, entrepreneurs, and anyone yearning for greater fulfillment.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Who is Nick Jonsson? (03:08)

• Background: Swedish-born, former construction painter, moved to Australia in his twenties, then built a high-profile corporate career in Asia.
• Current Role: Executive coach, mentor, and author focusing on helping male leaders navigate crisis, recovery, and sustained performance.
• Mission: "I would love to say that I'm someone who's giving back... I would love to say that I'm useful." (03:30, Nick Jonsson)

2. Leadership and Holistic Success (04:47, 08:58)

• Nick’s Approach: Uses a holistic life assessment (physical, mental, emotional, psychological, social) to audit all life domains, not just business.
• The Audit Exercise: Clients rate themselves 1–10 across multiple life areas—business, romance, relationships, health, family, etc.—to find gaps and realign focus.
• Quote: "I talk about life balance... your business and career should be 12.5% [of your life], but then it would be balanced." (13:17, Nick)
• Work vs. Life Balance: Both agree there’s no true "work-life balance," just life, and we need to orchestrate it according to our values and purpose. (13:19, Patrick)

3. Why High-Achieving Men Seek Help (06:30)

• Typical Scenario: Most clients come after crisis—job loss, marital breakdown, legal trouble, burnout.
• Neglected Areas: Many focus solely on business at the expense of personal life until something breaks.
• Quote: "Many of them, they're high achievers... but perhaps they've put all the focus on the business for 20, 30, 40 years... then something happens." (06:30, Nick)

4. Defining Success Beyond Wealth (07:53, 10:49, 12:27)

• Personal Definitions: Success is subjective, often broader than financial benchmarks.
• Mentoring: Nick mentors young speakers, while himself learning from more experienced ones—a model of always giving back while learning forward.
• Quote: "[Success is] about passing it on and giving it back... whatever we learn, we pass on to the next generation." (10:21, Nick)
• Reflection: "Am I living the vision I have for my life? If the answer is yes, that's success." (10:49, Patrick quoting a guest)

5. Power of Peer Support and Men's Groups (14:01, 15:26)

• Peer-to-Peer Value: Nick runs a men’s group where members support one another through gratitude sharing and vulnerability, creating much-needed safe spaces.
• Quote: "We're sharing our daily gratitude list, we're sharing the challenges... we've been able to be there for them, support them, have this safe space." (14:01, Nick)
• Encouragement: Patrick urges listeners to find or form men’s groups, highlighting their transformative power for authenticity and vulnerability.

6. Nick’s Personal Journey: From Crash to Recovery (17:01)

• Origin Story:
  • Grew up blue-collar in Sweden; construction accident at 22 led to depression and loss of hope.
  • Moved to Australia for self-reinvention, then excelled in Asia’s corporate ladder.
  • Rock bottom: High-powered GM job in Indonesia but crumbling inside—resigned, divorced, alcohol spiraled.
  • Rebuilt life through self-assessment, vulnerability, therapy, and finally, sobriety.
• Memorable Moment: "I planned my own funeral and then crawled back out of the ashes." (17:01, Nick)

7. Alcoholism, Burnout, and Turning Points (24:37, 25:41, 27:48)

• Struggles: Drinking and entertaining to excess, leading to health deterioration and crisis.
• Cleansing: Eight years sober—credits vulnerability, asking for help, and support networks for recovery.
• Fork-in-the-Road: “My ex-wife, after 13 years, started to question me... I couldn’t have that conversation without talking to her. I just filed for divorce.” (28:18, Nick)

8. The Role of Partners and Relationships (32:18, 33:16, 34:25)

• Relationships as Safe Spaces: Now remarried and open with his partner—credits honesty and mutual support for profound relationship growth.
• Contrast: “It’s a different Nick in this relationship… she was there when I became open, became vulnerable.” (33:16, Nick)
• Couples Therapy: Often helps men individually, but encourages integration with their partners and qualified therapists.

9. Purpose, Contribution & Giving Back (35:44, 38:15)

• Purpose Journey: Constantly evolving; finds meaning in helping others achieve holistic success.
• Bottom Line: "If we find a way in life, it's about how do we actually pass this on and be useful." (36:35, Nick)
• 12-Step Wisdom: “You have to pass on the gift to keep it.” (38:15, Nick)

10. What Sets Nick Apart as a Coach (40:07)

• Distinction: Deep empathy from lived experience—clients value that he’s "been there, done that," rather than purely academic expertise.
• Quote: "I walk there... I know what it is to crawl back and out of the ashes..." (40:07, Nick)

11. Extreme Ownership, Accountability & Self-Mastery (41:24, 43:15, 46:13)

• Coaching Tools: Uses self-audit and deep accountability, inspired by the “extreme ownership” philosophy.
• Change Agent: Helps clients clean up “their side of the street” before addressing others’ roles in their problems.
• Quote: "It's about taking ownership for your life and really setting things right." (46:13, Nick)
• Victim Mindset: Some clients are “not ready yet”—they need to feel more pain before taking responsibility. (47:57, Nick)

12. High Performance and Intensity (49:41, 51:18, 53:52)

• Traits of High Achievers: Courage, intensity, disregard for naysayers, and relentless drive.
• Intensity’s Dark Side: Can lead to burnout and work-life collapse if not managed.
• Mentorship: Surrounding yourself with people ahead of you is key for breaking ceilings and keeping ambition productive.

13. Blind Spots, Limiting Beliefs & Vulnerability (57:44, 58:26, 59:55)

• Inner Work: Nick routinely examines his own hidden beliefs with mentors—practices and models vulnerability so he can guide others.
• Quote: "Doing the hard work on ourselves first before we can help others..." (58:26, Nick)

14. The Real Game: Mindset, Not Just Strategy (61:48)

• How-Tos are Not Enough: Success hinges on mental/emotional game, not just business strategies; resilience, creativity, and openness are essential.
• Quote: "Even if you give the same playbook to 10 people... a few will succeed, a few will fail. It is that mental game..." (61:48, Nick)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Nick Jonsson (14:01): "Having these safe spaces for business, but also in our private life."
• Patrick Francey (13:19): "There is no work-life balance. There’s just life. And how are you orchestrating your life?"
• Nick Jonsson (33:16): "It’s a different Nick... she was there when I became open, became vulnerable."
• Nick Jonsson (40:07): "I walk there... I know what it is to crawl back and out of the ashes."
• Nick Jonsson (36:35): "If we find a way in life, it's about how do we actually pass this on and be useful."
• Patrick Francey (41:24): "Your life is a reflection of who you're being."
• Nick Jonsson (46:13): "Clean up [your] side of the street. What is happening on the other side is not something we can work on."
• Nick Jonsson (38:15): "You have to pass on the gift to keep it."
• Nick Jonsson (65:06): "Last time I watched TV news was March 2020... I removed that because... if I want to have a happy and successful life."
• Nick Jonsson (71:51): "You got to give it back to keep it."
• Patrick Francey (65:47): "Control. Don't worry about those things you can't control... and you can't control what's going on in Russia and Ukraine."

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

• Who is Nick Jonsson & Opening (03:08)
• Holistic Assessment & Coaching Approach (04:47, 05:54)
• Why Leaders Seek Support (06:30)
• Success and Its Definition (10:49, 12:27)
• Peer Support, Men’s Groups & Vulnerability (14:01, 15:26)
• Nick’s Origin Story and Recovery (17:01, 25:41, 27:48)
• Role of Partners/Relationships (32:18, 33:16, 34:25)
• Purpose, Contribution & Giving Back (35:44, 36:35, 38:15)
• The Uniqueness of Nick’s Coaching (40:07)
• Extreme Ownership & Self-Mastery (41:24, 46:13)
• High Performance Intensity & Its Risks (49:41, 51:18, 53:52)
• Blind Spots & Inner Work (57:44, 58:26)
• Business Strategy vs. Mental Resilience (61:48)
• Final Message for Listeners (63:26)
• Letting Go of Negativity, News Diet (65:06, 65:21)

Final Message & Takeaways (63:26, 65:06)

Nick’s Closing Challenge:
“If any one of the listeners feels they could do more, be more successful, or have settled, I challenge you to look in the mirror, do an honest self-assessment, identify blind spots, and have the courage to reach out for help. Once I removed alcohol from my life, I started to live a life beyond my wildest dreams. Take ownership for your life and remove what holds you back—be it alcohol, social media, or binge-watching TV.” (63:26, Nick)

Patrick’s Reflection:
“Own your need. People think loudly but don’t ask for help or clarity. If you have a pull inside, share it with someone wiser who’s been there before.” (67:20, Patrick)

Rapid Fire & Fun (68:51–77:31)

• Favorite Band: AC/DC (69:02, Nick)
• Favorite Movie: The Godfather (69:58)
• Influential Book: The 5am Club (70:12)
• Quote Nick Lives By: "You got to give it back to keep it." (71:51)
• Favorite Swear Word: "Fan" (Swedish for god damn it) (74:09)
• Gratitude Practice: Daily gratitude list shared with men’s group (74:38)
• Patrick’s Recommended Read: The Gap and the Gain by Dan Sullivan & Ben Hardy (75:06)
• Ending Scene: Nick living his dream in Phuket, Thailand after deep, hard inner work (77:05)

Overall Tone & Style

The tone is candid, authentic, and warm. Both Nick and Patrick model vulnerability, use relatable analogies (sports, business), and avoid jargon. Their conversation is down-to-earth, filled with encouragement through storytelling, and sprinkled with humor and practical wisdom.

This summary is designed to give listeners—especially ambitious men and leaders—a deep, practical overview of the episode’s most valuable ideas, moving beyond wealth and into the heart of what truly enables a sustainable, meaningful, high-performance life.