“When we embrace those feelings, we can then start to move through them instead of just taking those feelings and boxing them away for good.” Episode summary: In this episode, Nick gets into the emotions that we go through and how sometimes we can stop them from actually coming out into the world. Sometimes, it’s a good thing to do; sometimes, it’s really not. And really, when we embrace our feelings, and we don’t shove them deep inside of us, we can actually do something with them. What to listen for: The protocol I’ve figured out that works best for me to embrace my feelings and use them instead of being used by them How our emotions are actually positive, not negative Ways we can best interact with our emotions and how to embrace them How to interact with your emotions in a split second “There have even been certain times where I thought, I don’t know if I can actually control my emotions. I don’t know if I can do anything with them. They’re just gonna do something with me, and I don’t wanna go for that ride.” A lot of us struggle with handling our emotions, let alone embracing them The crazy-making thoughts of not knowing what will happen if my emotions take over Our challenge to you to recall a time of growth and realization of your growth and what we can learn from those experiences. “For most of us that have a hard time just moving along without actually doing something with the emotion or with the feeling that is controlled, then that’s where we need to actually spend our time.” In most situations, the hardest step is the first one, I share how you can easily take that step It can be easy to push or hide our emotions, and it’s literally in that decisive moment we can grow Challenging ourselves to embrace what we’re feeling and thinking and how to do this in tiny moments What “muscle” is used and how to grow it in simple ways for maximum growth “You have two options when the emotion starts to well up. I put it in a box and push it away or do something with it.” When presented with an emotional situation, we have two options in that moment How we can take a quick breath in a moment and process through our emotions in real time When we realize the options we have, we can consciously make a decision About Nick McGowan I’m Nick McGowan, entrepreneur, podcaster, and mental health advocate, and I've been on a 20+ year journey of personal development, learning to master my mindset, emotions, and the art of living with purpose. As a Mindset and Self-Mastery Mentor, I work with ambitious men and women who want to live their most authentic and joyous life, by helping them master their mindset, emotional awareness, and authentic communication. My mission is to empower people to lead lives that feel aligned, grounded, and truly their own. Throughout my career, I’ve built teams, streamlined systems, and improved client experiences across SaaS, media, marketing, and personal development spaces. Whether I’m leading cross-functional projects, optimizing SEO, Podcasting, designing strategies, or guiding clients through transformation, I bring a hands-on, solution-focused approach to everything I do. I’m also the host of The Mindset and Self-Mastery Show, where my guests and I unpack the stories that shape us, challenge us, and ultimately guide us back to who we are at our core. On this show, we uncover the secret gems others have discovered through trial, error, and breakthroughs so you can fast-track your growth, and master your mindset on your pursuit toward self-mastery.  With years of podcasting and two decades of marketing experience, I’ve mastered the storytelling, interview flow, strategy, and technical production that elevate a podcast from "just content" to something truly impactful. Whether you're a leader looking to amplify your message, or a seasoned speaker and podcast host looking to sharpen your edge or even a beginner who is wondering how to share their message, I mentor thought leaders through every step of h...