Unf**k your life for 2026! - David Niethe

David Niethe, one of New Zealand’s top mental performance coaches, is back on the podcast. He first came on as a guest in October 2024 when his book “The Winning Mindset” came out. In that episode a big part of the focus was on who Dave is and his backstory.

For this episode the focus is less on Dave and all on…YOU! This is a practical, no-BS episode all about how you and I can design a better life in 2026.

David breaks down the mindset and behavioural principles he’s used for 30+ years coaching high performers and everyday people: creating and using a vision boards the right way, goal setting, upgrading self-talk and building the daily habits that move you forward.

This episode isn’t meant for everyone. It’s for people who are done with “hoping this year is better” and want tools to actually create change by taking their life and destiny into their own control. ***

Who should be on the podcast next? Message Dom Instagram: @domharveynz Email: [email protected]

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Episode Chapters 00:00 Cold open + PodLab Studios intro (and the mic chaos) 02:00 Obsession, high performance, and “nothing great is achieved 8–5” 04:30 Life by design vs default — meaning, purpose, and choosing direction 06:50 Vision boards: start with “If you could not fail…” 09:10 Kiwi tall poppy syndrome + why vision boards still work 11:30 Lydia Ko + Israel Adesanya vision boards (make it “self” specific) 13:50 When do you give up? Intention vs outcome 16:10 Dealing with disappointment in high performance environments 18:30 Positive self-talk + protecting the self-image 23:15 “I ain’t got time to bleed” + the victim story trap 28:15 Morning routines, sleep, learning, and living curiously 32:50 Dyslexia, school pain, and breaking limiting beliefs 34:55 Personality profiling + designing work that matches who you are 37:20 Values hierarchy + “freedom” as David’s #1 value 41:40 Cutting down to 3 days work + curiosity as the point 43:55 Bullshit detectors, accountability, and who David works best with 47:45 Q&A: negotiating with yourself, brutal inner voice, habits 51:50 Overthinking + breath, physiology, alter ego, flow state 01:01:15 Jim Rohn’s 3 steps: goals, education, financial plan 01:05:40 Cutting negative people out (even family) + boundaries 01:10:00 Tall poppy syndrome + “don’t be a contaminator” 01:13:40 Buffalo vs cow: facing storms and getting through fear faster 01:15:55 Guilt prioritising yourself + giving back from a strong base 01:19:50 Marriage, pride, congruence, and being the same person everywhere 01:31:10 Parenting, earned relationships, and kids modelling behaviour 01:33:30 Wrap: build a vision board, clarify intent, act daily, be tenacious