Discover the mindset shifts and practical routines that fuel business breakthroughs, personal resilience, and authentic entrepreneurial happiness.

Niyc Pidgeon, Founder & CEO of Optimal You, international success coach, author, and winner of the Sage Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2015 award. Website: nickpigeon.com

Join host Julian Hall and guest Niyc Pidgeon as they explore the philosophies, strategies, and pivotal moments that define a meaningful entrepreneurial journey. Recorded while Niyc was based in Australia, this conversation blends the science of positive psychology with the practical wisdom of someone who has navigated career pivots, personal hardship, and business growth. Niyc opens up about her journey from Newcastle to launching global ventures, and how finding her voice—and investing deeply in self-development—became the cornerstone of her coaching empire.

In this episode, you’ll hear about the critical importance of mindset in business, lessons learned from near-burnout and adversity, and the story of how Niyc once made Elon Musk cry in a live, international conversation. Other highlights include the role of mentors in accelerating growth, letting go of the status quo, and practical routines for balancing ambition with well-being.

Whether you’re a new founder or a creative entrepreneur looking for clarity, the strategies and stories shared here will encourage you to embrace risk, cultivate optimism, and create value from the inside out.

Note: This podcast is no longer active and was originally published before 2016. Links and contact details may be out of date, but the conversation still holds valuable insights today.

Key Points

• How following personal passion, not just profit, drives sustainable entrepreneurship (00:04:30)
• Using adversity—including bullying and health crises—as fuel for growth and positive change (00:10:07)
• The importance of investing in self-development and coaching, even when it feels risky (00:26:41)
• Lessons on rebelling against societal expectations around career, money, and life paths (00:08:00)
• The transformative power of sharing your own story and building a personal brand (00:20:43)
• Mindset tools from positive psychology for overcoming self-doubt and activating breakthroughs (00:39:43)
• Starting every day with gratitude and morning rituals to boost clarity and productivity (00:44:55)
• Embracing risk: going all-in on purpose-driven projects, even without financial safety nets (00:37:41)
• Delegation and focus: learning to grow businesses by letting go and avoiding burnout (00:17:30)
• Why happiness and fulfillment are the real measures of success, not just external achievements (00:49:36)

Top 3 Takeaways

• Invest in yourself first—mentorship, coaching, and education pay long-term dividends in both business and life.
• Embrace setbacks and adversity as powerful lessons—they can catalyze your self-expression and professional growth.
• Start and end each day with gratitude; small mindset shifts compound into resilience, confidence, and authentic success.

Links & Resources

• Niyc Pidgeon: nickpigeon.com
• Thrive Live events
• Book: "Now Is Your Chance" by Niyc Pidgeon
• Background on Positive Psychology (various academic resources referenced in conversation)
• Young Enterprise program

Quotes

"For me, it's about following your passion and doing what you love. You decide when your journey starts. Everything is temporary and you can create whatever you want, but never get used to it."

"When there's something inside of you that knows that this is going to be the breakthrough for you, you've got to go for it. You've got to take that risk and go all in. Because that's when the magic happens."

"I believe that life is to be enjoyed to its fullest and I...