#221: How I Built Self-Belief
Catch The Zenith w/ Nicola Flückiger
#221: Most people think they need to “believe in themselves” to succeed, but that’s the wrong way around.
In this episode, I explain why self-belief in your current identity doesn’t work, how to shift your focus to the person you’re becoming, and why goals are really just a call to expand.
Get ready to learn why belief follows identity, how to act like your future self before the results show up, why temporary delusion is necessary for growth, the key shift that turns goals into reality, plus a lot more...
Timestamps
(00:55) Part 1: The Self-Belief Trap
(02:45) Part 2: Stop Believing in “Current You”
(03:55) Part 3: Radical Responsibility
(04:35) Part 4: Goals as a Call to Expand
(06:30) Part 5: Identity Is Malleable
(08:10) Part 6: The Painful Middle (Temporary, Healthy Delusion)
(09:35) Part 7: Act Like the Future You
(12:03) Part 8: Reconstruct Through Relentless Action
Bonus Resource
Nicola Flückiger
Contact Me
- Email me with any feedback, ideas, or insights you've gained from the episodes: nicola [at] nicolafluckiger [dot] com
P.S. Thanks for listening to my podcast. As a gift, I’ve put together a free list of 100+ podcast episodes from other shows that I’ve loved most. Click here to get the list.
#220: How I Turn Pain Into Fuel
Catch The Zenith w/ Nicola Flückiger
#220: Most people numb their pain with quick fixes—Netflix, junk food, scrolling—without realizing it keeps them stuck.
In this episode, I explain why pain is the strongest motivator, the difference between coping and transmuting, and how I use discomfort as fuel in the gym, diet, and sales.
Get ready to learn why avoidance kills progress, the fastest way to turn suffering into energy, how to rewire pain into your biggest advantage, plus a lot more...
Timestamps
(00:45) Part 1: The Nature of Pain
(03:23) Part 2: Why You Don’t Do What You Know You Should Do
(04:40) Part 3: Coping vs. Transmuting
(10:35) Part 4: How To Practice Pain Transmutation
Bonus Resource
Nicola Flückiger
Contact Me
- Email me with any feedback, ideas, or insights you've gained from the episodes: nicola [at] nicolafluckiger [dot] com
P.S. Thanks for listening to my podcast. As a gift, I’ve put together a free list of 100+ podcast episodes from other shows that I’ve loved most. Click here to get the list.
#219: 14 Life Lessons I Wish I Knew at 18
Catch The Zenith w/ Nicola Flückiger
#219: At 18, I thought success came from being the smartest guy in the room, saying what people wanted to hear, and chasing every new opportunity. I was wrong.
In this episode, I share 14 life lessons that would have saved me years of mistakes — from authenticity and disagreement to sacrifice, focus, and cycles of success.
Get ready to learn why it’s okay to have different opinions, how authenticity helps you overcome people-pleasing, why writing a life vision reduces anxiety, the reason champions sacrifice more than others, how goodwill compounds faster than money, why ordinary actions done long enough become extraordinary, the danger of complacency after success, why focus is a superpower, plus a lot more…
Timestamps
(00:00) Intro – Why I wish I knew these 14 lessons at 18
(01:17) Lesson 1: It’s okay to have different opinions
(05:18) Lesson 2: The fastest path to authenticity
(09:25) Lesson 3: Write down a life vision
(13:45) Lesson 4: Assume you’re the dumbest person in the room
(17:15) Lesson 5: Respect starts with yourself
(18:53) Lesson 6: Business is just solving problems
(23:07) Lesson 7: Champions sacrifice more
(28:48) Lesson 8: Ignore the opinions of sheep
(33:50) Lesson 9: Goodwill compounds faster than money
(38:35) Lesson 10: Extraordinary comes from ordinary done long enough
(44:33) Lesson 11: Stay lean and frugal
(47:26) Lesson 12: Focus is a superpower
(48:02) Lesson 13: Success is cyclical, not linear
(49:42) Lesson 14: Pay to see reality clearly
(56:15) Outro – Key takeaways & closing thoughts
Bonus Resource
Nicola Flückiger
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- Email me with any feedback, ideas, or insights you've gained from the episodes: nicola [at] nicolafluckiger [dot] com
P.S. Thanks for listening to my podcast. As a gift, I’ve put together a free list of 100+ podcast episodes from other shows that I’ve loved most. Click here to get the list.
#218: The Cost of Short-Term Thinking
Catch The Zenith w/ Nicola Flückiger
#218: Most people choose what feels good now without realizing the hidden cost it creates. From fast food to debt to business shortcuts, short-term thinking slowly destroys progress.
In this episode, I explain why chasing instant gratification leads to failure, how to think in second-order consequences, and why choosing the harder path today sets you up for long-term success.
Get ready to learn the simple rule that separates winners from losers, the lesson behind the marshmallow test, why Valiant Pharmaceuticals collapsed, how Michael Jordan refocused to stay on top, plus a lot more…
Timestamps
(00:00) Intro
(01:15) Part 1: Short-Term vs Long-Term Thinking
(02:57) Part 2: The Marshmallow Test
(03:48) Part 3: Second-Order Consequences
(05:30) Part 4: The Effect Horizon Model
(09:40) Part 5: Stories
(13:00) Part 6: Key Takeaways
Bonus Resource
Nicola Flückiger
Contact Me
- Email me with any feedback, ideas, or insights you've gained from the episodes: nicola [at] nicolafluckiger [dot] com
P.S. Thanks for listening to my podcast. As a gift, I’ve put together a free list of 100+ podcast episodes from other shows that I’ve loved most. Click here to get the list.
#217: My Unconventional Diet Explained
Catch The Zenith w/ Nicola Flückiger
#217: In today’s world, overeating is effortless — the average American eats nearly 900 more calories a day than other developed countries. No wonder sticking to a healthy diet feels hard.
In this episode, I share two simple approaches: Alex Hormozi’s protein-first diet and my own routine of eating a few standard meals every day.
Get ready to learn how to make nutrition predictable, enjoy your meals, handle cheat days without guilt, stay consistent long-term, plus a lot more…
Timestamps
(00:10) Eating too many calories
(03:20) How I eat
(05:40) Standard meals
(12:35) Impulse control
Bonus Resource
Nicola Flückiger
Contact Me
- Email me with any feedback, ideas, or insights you've gained from the episodes: nicola [at] nicolafluckiger [dot] com
P.S. Thanks for listening to my podcast. As a gift, I’ve put together a free list of 100+ podcast episodes from other shows that I’ve loved most. Click here to get the list.
#216: How I Make Decisions
Catch The Zenith w/ Nicola Flückiger
#216: Your life is shaped by the decisions you make. Good ones move you forward. Bad ones set you back.
In this episode, I share the simple 3-part framework I learned from entrepreneur Sam Ovens that changed how I decide — plus a 4-step method from Alex Hormozi you can use to make a better decision today.
Get ready to learn how to cut decision fatigue, think for yourself, use mental models to choose the right path, avoid rushed choices you’ll regret, plus a lot more…
Timestamps
(01:45) What is a decision?
(02:54) Part 1: Reduce the Load
(12:45) Part 2: Think Critically
(20:56) Part 3: Apply Mental Models
(33:13) 4-Step Decision-Making Framework
Bonus Resource
Nicola Flückiger
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P.S. Thanks for listening to my podcast. As a gift, I’ve put together a free list of 100+ podcast episodes from other shows that I’ve loved most. Click here to get the list.
#215: Why Focus Beats Intelligence
Catch The Zenith w/ Nicola Flückiger
#215: We live in a world built to steal your focus. But if you can control your attention, you have a serious edge.
In this episode, I break down why attention beats intelligence, how deep work creates unfair advantages, and why most problems are easier to fix than you think.
Get ready to learn how to sharpen your focus, the 4 types of safety women look for in a man, why sales should start with pain, how to be more authentic, why rest is your hidden edge, plus a lot more…
Timestamps
(00:20) Attention Is the New I.Q.
(10:14) The 4 types of safety a woman wants from a man
(13:36) People act on problems more than benefits
(17:55) Authenticity
(23:48) There is no such thing as being overworked, only under rested
(28:20) Most problems are easily fixed
Bonus Resource
Nicola Flückiger
Contact Me
- Email me with any feedback, ideas, or insights you've gained from the episodes: nicola [at] nicolafluckiger [dot] com
P.S. Thanks for listening to my podcast. As a gift, I’ve put together a free list of 100+ podcast episodes from other shows that I’ve loved most. Click here to get the list.
#214: Why Boring People Get Rich
Catch The Zenith w/ Nicola Flückiger
#214: Most people think success means doing more. More habits, more hobbies, more hacks. But that’s wrong.
In this episode, I explain why the key to success is living a simple, even boring life — and how energy, clarity, and focus come from doing less, not more.
Get ready to learn why early Bezos kept it simple, how I structure my own life to stay focused, why chaos kills progress, why boring people often win, plus a lot more…
Timestamps
(00:30) Imitation of Habits
(05:22) How I Simplify My Life
(07:45) Extreme People Get Extreme Results
(13:30) Mike Tyson
Bonus Resource
Nicola Flückiger
Contact Me
- Email me with any feedback, ideas, or insights you've gained from the episodes: nicola [at] nicolafluckiger [dot] com
P.S. Thanks for listening to my podcast. As a gift, I’ve put together a free list of 100+ podcast episodes from other shows that I’ve loved most. Click here to get the list.
#213: Become a MONSTER
Catch The Zenith w/ Nicola Flückiger
#213: Most people are told to be nice. Harmless. Play it safe. But what if that’s the worst advice you could follow in a brutal world?
Today, I dive into why it’s better to be a warrior in a garden than a gardener in a war. Inspired by Dr. Jordan B. Peterson, I explore what it means to become a monster.
Get ready to learn why “nice guys” often finish last, how saying what you really think makes you stronger, what I learned about my limits during my internship in Salt Lake City, why the world respects those who speak up for themselves, plus a lot more…
Timestamps
(00:28) Why You Should Become a Monster
(13:05) A Thousand Hard Conversations
(17:47) Communication with Women
Bonus Resource
Nicola Flückiger
Contact Me
- Email me with any feedback, ideas, or insights you've gained from the episodes: nicola [at] nicolafluckiger [dot] com
P.S. Thanks for listening to my podcast. As a gift, I’ve put together a free list of 100+ podcast episodes from other shows that I’ve loved most. Click here to get the list.
#212: This Sales Lesson Changed How I Communicate
Catch The Zenith w/ Nicola Flückiger
#212: Most people talk too much and say too little. But what if the real power lies in saying less?
In this episode, I share the sales lesson that changed how I communicate: be concise. From cutting filler words to writing sharper emails to talking more confidently in real life.
Get ready to learn what Paul Graham says about word count, how Mark Cuban's advice can make your product easier to buy, what “be precise in your speech” means, how to remove filler words like “like” and “basically,” and what I learned from approaching women in Arosa plus a lot more…
Timestamps
(01:16) Make it easy to buy from you
(06:00) Short emails
(16:30) How to speak concisely
(23:15) Talking to women
Bonus Resource
Nicola Flückiger
Contact Me
- Email me with any feedback, ideas, or insights you've gained from the episodes: nicola [at] nicolafluckiger [dot] com
P.S. Thanks for listening to my podcast. As a gift, I’ve put together a free list of 100+ podcast episodes from other shows that I’ve loved most. Click here to get the list.
#211: How to Have an Adventure
Catch The Zenith w/ Nicola Flückiger
#211: Most people live their lives playing it safe. But what if the real path to meaning is telling the truth—even when it’s uncomfortable?
In this episode, I reflect on a powerful idea from Dr. Jordan B. Peterson: that truth is an adventure. I break down what that actually means, why telling the truth is so difficult, and how doing it anyway creates authenticity.
Get ready to learn how telling the truth makes life more meaningful, what true authenticity looks like (according to Alex Hormozi), why most people don’t actually know what they think, how I try to say what I really believe on the podcast, and the four big benefits of making your work visible plus a lot more…
Timestamps
(01:09) The essence of an adventure
(15:45) A lesson that changed how I work
Bonus Resource
Nicola Flückiger
Contact Me
- Email me with any feedback, ideas, or insights you've gained from the episodes: nicola [at] nicolafluckiger [dot] com
P.S. Thanks for listening to my podcast. As a gift, I’ve put together a free list of 100+ podcast episodes from other shows that I’ve loved most. Click here to get the list.
#210: Silvan Krähenbühl – How to Get Your Personal Finances Right
Catch The Zenith w/ Nicola Flückiger
#210: Silvan Krähenbühl is an entrepreneur, investor, and podcast host.
How do we actually get our personal finances right? Where do we even start? Silvan’s my go-to guy whenever I’ve got questions about this stuff. He built an entire course on personal finance and his setup is unlike anything I’ve seen before.
Get ready to learn what you’d need to do if you wanted to mess up your finances, where to start if you want to get them right, how to handle money in a marriage or relationship, how to optimize taxes as a business owner, what changes when you have children, the dynamics between men and women, socialism vs. capitalism, the role of incentives in society, fundraising vs. bootstrapping in software startups in the age of AI, his #1 piece of advice for podcasters plus a lot more…
Timestamps
(03:00) Personal finance basics
(28:07) Tax optimization for business owners
(38:50) Finances in relationships, children, man & woman
(1:19:30) Fundraising vs. bootstrapping in startups
Silvan Krähenbühl
Bonus Resource
Nicola Flückiger
Contact Me
- Email me with any feedback, ideas, or insights you've gained from the episodes: nicola [at] nicolafluckiger [dot] com
P.S. Thanks for listening to my podcast. As a gift, I’ve put together a free list of 100+ podcast episodes from other shows that I’ve loved most. Click here to get the list.
#209: How I’m Trying to Find My Wife – Zenith Reflections
Catch The Zenith w/ Nicola Flückiger
#209: After ending a 7.5-year relationship, I now find myself in the position of trying to find the wife I want to spend the rest of my life with.
In this episode, I share how I’m attempting to do that — systematically. Plus, a few other reflections from the week, including lessons from my new job in sales.
Get ready to learn how I’m trying to find my wife, why most people end up with the first best person they meet, in-person approaching vs. online dating, my thoughts on setting the company record in my first weeks as an SDR, why I see life in seasons, why asking “how do I find the right wife?” is a stupid question plus a lot more…
Timestamps
(01:32) Mental Model: You Did Well, Now Do It Again
(07:21) Seeing Life in Seasons Like a Lion
(14:30) Short-Form Content Is Killing Your Focus
(25:34) How I’m Trying to Find My Wife
Bonus Resource
Nicola Flückiger
Contact Me
- Email me with any feedback, ideas, or insights you've gained from the episodes: nicola [at] nicolafluckiger [dot] com
P.S. Thanks for listening to my podcast. As a gift, I’ve put together a free list of 100+ podcast episodes from other shows that I’ve loved most. Click here to get the list.
#208: Gary Arndt – Why Switzerland Might Be the Sanest Country in Europe
Catch The Zenith w/ Nicola Flückiger
#208: Gary Arndt is a world traveler, daily podcaster, and former tech entrepreneur.
After selling his company in the late ‘90s, Gary gave away most of his possessions and set off to visit every country on Earth. From riding in a Formula 1 car and staying overnight on a U.S. aircraft carrier to witnessing revolutions in Thailand and sled dog races in the Arctic — Gary has seen it all. Today, he hosts Everything Everywhere Daily — one of the most downloaded education podcasts in the world, with nearly 50 million plays.
Get ready to learn what makes Switzerland the “sanest country in Europe,” what Americans get wrong about distance and culture, why U.S. cities are built for cars, how Gary sold his first company before the dot-com crash, what separates good debaters from great ones, the mindset difference between U.S. and Swiss entrepreneurs, what made his podcast succeed where others failed, how to talk more fluently and concisely, why promotion beats perfection in podcasting plus a lot more…
Timestamps
(02:52) Gary’s Wildest Travel Stories
(10:51) Switzerland vs. USA
(43:25) Building and Selling a Tech Company
(51:12) How Debate Prepares You for Business
(1:03:34) How Gary Built a Top 1% Podcast
Gary Arndt
Bonus Resource
Nicola Flückiger
Contact Me
- Email me with any feedback, ideas, or insights you've gained from the episodes: nicola [at] nicolafluckiger [dot] com
P.S. Thanks for listening to my podcast. As a gift, I’ve put together a free list of 100+ podcast episodes from other shows that I’ve loved most. Click here to get the list.
#207: The Hidden Damage of Short Form Content
Catch The Zenith w/ Nicola Flückiger
#207: Many people feel anxious because their brain is overloaded with emotion.
In this episode, I break down the hidden damage of short-form content—and why consuming it daily might be the reason you feel scattered, overstimulated, or emotionally fried.
Get ready to learn how short-form triggers emotional spikes, what an “emotional hangover” is, and tactics I use to regain clarity, focus, and emotional stability plus a lot more…
Timestamps
(00:00) Quick story
(01:33) Definition short-form content
(05:00) Emotions & short-form content
(18:30) Tactics to live a deep life
(24:24) Conclusion
Bonus Resource
Nicola Flückiger
Contact Me
- Email me with any feedback, ideas, or insights you've gained from the episodes: nicola [at] nicolafluckiger [dot] com
P.S. Thanks for listening to my podcast. As a gift, I’ve put together a free list of 100+ podcast episodes from other shows that I’ve loved most. Click here to get the list.
#206: How I Rewired My Brain for Success with Dopamine Transfer
Catch The Zenith w/ Nicola Flückiger
#206: Most people can’t focus because their brain is addicted to cheap dopamine.
In this episode, I break down the concept of Dopamine Transfer—the step-by-step method I used to rewire my brain for deep work, discipline, and long-term success.
Get ready to learn what dopamine transfer is, how to lower your stimulation baseline without burning out, and why this is the #1 edge to build in 2025 plus a lot more…
Timestamps
(00:51) Understanding Dopamine and Why It Matters
(05:20) The Dopamine Transfer Method
(08:18) Real-Life Example & Personal Story
(15:27) Practical Tips for the Road Ahead
Bonus Resource
Nicola Flückiger
Contact Me
- Email me with any feedback, ideas, or insights you've gained from the episodes: nicola [at] nicolafluckiger [dot] com
P.S. Thanks for listening to my podcast. As a gift, I’ve put together a free list of 100+ podcast episodes from other shows that I’ve loved most. Click here to get the list.
#205: David Morris – The 6 Coaching Client Types That Make or Break Your Business
Catch The Zenith w/ Nicola Flückiger
#205: David Morris is a Business Coach, E-learning Consultant, and Chief Operating Officer.
Most coaches struggle with client retention. They get stuck with unengaged students, low renewal rates, and flaky behavior they can’t explain. David breaks it down. He’s identified six client archetypes that make or break a program — and built systems that raised retention rates to over 70%.
Get ready to learn the six client types that shape your coaching business, how to turn “bad” clients into your top performers, what most coaches get wrong on day one, why content without outreach fails, what David learned working under online entrepreneur Richard Yu, how to build trust at scale, why boring work wins, how fatherhood changed his mindset plus a lot more...
Timestamps
(02:07) Scaling a Coaching Business from $300K to $1M/Month
(06:40) The 6 Coaching Client Archetypes
(26:10) Why Boring Work Beats Strategy
(30:45) His Daily Routines
(38:54) How to Hit 72% Client Retention
(45:35) The #1 Lesson from Richard Yu
(01:12:20) The Biggest Mistake Coaches Make
(01:20:20) Dr. Jordan B. Peterson
(01:30:35) How Fatherhood Changed His Life
David Morris
Bonus Resource
Nicola Flückiger
Contact Me
- Email me with any feedback, ideas, or insights you've gained from the episodes: nicola [at] nicolafluckiger [dot] com
P.S. Thanks for listening to my podcast. As a gift, I’ve put together a free list of 100+ podcast episodes from other shows that I’ve loved most. Click here to get the list.
#204: Bo Burlingham – The Cashflow Mistakes That Kill Most Companies
Catch The Zenith w/ Nicola Flückiger
#204: Bo Burlingham is a legendary business journalist, former editor-at-large at Inc. magazine, and a contributing writer at Forbes.
Starting a business today is both easier and harder than ever. Founders have more tools and advice, yet often overlook the basics—like cash flow, culture, and knowing what to say no to. Bo has spent decades studying the rare founders who get this right, as told in his classic book Small Giants.
Get ready to learn what most founders get wrong in 2025, the story behind his connection with Tim Ferriss, why profit isn’t a dirty word, what Bo learned from 55 years of marriage, how to keep your company’s mojo, how to get employees to think like owners, why some founders regret selling, what happened with Clif Bar and The Body Shop, what open-book management really means plus a lot more...
Timestamps
(02:17) What Most Founders Get Wrong About Business
(05:58) Why Profit Isn’t a Dirty Word
(11:14) The Metrics That Matter Early On
(14:00) Approaches on How to Start a Business
(23:45) Tim Ferriss, Princeton, and the Small Giants Connection
(24:37) How to Build a Company That Keeps Its Mojo
(26:20) The Most Powerful Business System Bo Ever Saw
(31:43) Business Story
(38:50) The Billion-Dollar Clif Bar Story
(42:25) How The Body Shop Lost Its Soul
(44:35) Bo’s Lessons From 55 Years of Marriage
Bonus Resource
Bo Burlingham
Nicola Flückiger
Contact Me
- Email me with any feedback, ideas, or insights you've gained from the episodes: nicola [at] nicolafluckiger [dot] com
P.S. Thanks for listening to my podcast. As a gift, I’ve put together a free list of 100+ podcast episodes from other shows that I’ve loved most. Click here to get the list.
#203: Miloš Jovanović – Is University Still the Best Way to Learn?
Catch The Zenith w/ Nicola Flückiger
#203: Miloš Jovanović is a finance consultant, master’s graduate, and one of my best friends.
University degrees are under more pressure than ever. With online programs, coaching, and companies hiring for skills over diplomas, many are asking: is college still the best way to learn — or to acquire high-income skills?
Get ready to learn whether university is still worth it, what growing up with a single mom taught him, how deleting social media changed his life, how political content fuels artificial rage, why being conservative today might be the old middle, why truth is the key to authenticity, whether everyone is a little racist, why cracking jokes across everybody is important plus a lot more...
Timestamps
(00:02:30) Is university still the best way to learn?
(00:41:39) Why using simple language makes you more persuasive
(01:00:55) Growing up without a father
(01:23:40) What deleting social media did to him
(01:43:29) Is productivity content just a niche?
(01:58:44) Left vs. right-wing content online
(02:18:00) How podcasts are shaping elections
(02:24:27) Why the right needs a strong sparring partner on the left
(02:31:15) Is today’s center what used to be conservative?
(02:51:50) Why truth creates authenticity
(03:04:00) Why we need to joke about everyone
(03:14:45) The problem with quotas
(03:20:00) Is everyone a little racist?
Bonus Resource
Miloš Jovanović
Nicola Flückiger
Contact Me
- Email me with any feedback, ideas, or insights you've gained from the episodes: nicola [at] nicolafluckiger [dot] com
P.S. Thanks for listening to my podcast. As a gift, I’ve put together a free list of 100+ podcast episodes from other shows that I’ve loved most. Click here to get the list.
#202: Lea Bochtler – What It’s Like Running a Coaching Business in China
Catch The Zenith w/ Nicola Flückiger
#202: Lea Bochtler is a high-performance coach and Columbia University grad who’s helped 400+ clients level up their performance.
What’s it like to grow a coaching business on China’s biggest social platform, WeChat — and serve hundreds of clients in a completely different cultural context?
Get ready to learn how Lea grew to 120,000 followers on WeChat, how business culture in China differs from the U.S., what she learned from Richard Yu’s coaching program, why university is no longer the most efficient path to high-income skills, how to overcome social pressure when going your own way, how to develop real confidence through public speaking plus a lot more...
Timestamps
(01:26) How Lea grew to 120k followers on WeChat in China
(03:57) Business culture in China vs. the U.S.
(06:13) How she got her first coaching clients in China
(08:25) Richard Yu’s program and how market research calls work
(12:00) What Columbia taught her — and why she returned to China
(14:15) Why people in China don’t talk about success openly
(16:14) How New York forced her to grow fast
(18:15) Balancing 1-on-1 coaching with scalable systems
(24:00) How you do one thing is how you do everything
(28:00) Why a 3-month coaching program can beat a Master’s
(36:09) Why she turned down EY to pursue coaching
(41:00) Dealing with social pressure and not following the crowd
(49:05) Netherlands vs. Columbia: the truth about education quality
(54:05) Overcoming fear of public speaking and building confidence
(01:00:45) Her relationship with her dad and learning acceptance
(01:07:02) What’s next: Instagram, YouTube, and platform risk in China
(01:11:03) Where to find Lea online
Lea Bochtler
Nicola Flückiger
Contact Me
- Email me with any feedback, ideas, or insights you've gained from the episodes: nicola [at] nicolafluckiger [dot] com
P.S. Thanks for listening to my podcast. As a gift, I’ve put together a free list of 100+ podcast episodes from other shows that I’ve loved most. Click here to get the list.
#201: How I Fixed My Brain After the Internet Broke It
Catch The Zenith w/ Nicola Flückiger
#201: Modern life has trained our brains to crave constant stimulation, leaving focus, creativity, and peace harder to find than ever.
In this episode, I break down how I unfried my brain after years of internet overload.
Get ready to learn why impulse control is the foundation for mental clarity, how boredom can become your brain’s secret weapon, why overconsumption of “good” content still backfires, how to retrain your focus through deep work, what Cal Newport and Charlie Munger can teach us about living sharper lives, and how to reconnect dopamine with real-world activities plus a lot more...
Timestamps
(00:09) Intro – Why today's internet culture broke our brains
(00:41) Storytime – Realizing I could finally enjoy moments without mental chaos
(02:50) Foundation 1 – Training impulse control in everyday situations
(04:45) Foundation 2 – One thing at a time: mastering single-task intensity
(07:10) Deep Work – How focusing deeply rebuilt my mental stamina
(09:23) Boredom – Why getting bored is actually a superpower for your brain
(12:00) Overconsumption – How even "good content" can make you less creative
(15:25) Long-Form Content – Slowing down to actually think better
(18:13) Rules for Phone & Computer Use – Guardrails for a clearer mind
(24:05) Healthy Dopamine – How to reconnect joy with real-world activities
(26:15) Summary – Invert: How NOT to fry your brain (and what to do instead)
Nicola Flückiger
Contact Me
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#200: 10 Lessons From 200 Episodes - Professor Sven Voelpel, Dr. Markus Elsässer & Cédric Waldburger
Catch The Zenith w/ Nicola Flückiger
#200: To celebrate 200 episodes of Catch The Zenith, I’ve broken down 10 of my favorite lessons, insights, and quotes from the last few years of building, learning, and interviewing world-class performers.
Get ready to learn why obsession beats balance, how gratitude creates lasting happiness, why there’s no single path to success, what it means to die healthy, how minimalism frees your mind, why work-life alignment matters more than balance, the power of talking to your team, how movement fits into busy schedules, why investing early builds lifelong leverage—plus a lot more.
Timestamps
(00:00) Intro – 200 Episodes & Key Lessons from the Journey
(01:23) Lesson 1 – Be obsessively all-in if you want to outcompete others
(09:25) Lesson 2 – Leadership requires respect, not popularity & There’s no “right path” to success—own your career
(21:16) Lesson 3 – Live with intensity and integrate movement into life
(26:50) Lesson 4 – Die healthy: age with strength, vitality, and purpose
(30:22) Lesson 5 – Start investing early—skills compound like capital
(36:52) Lesson 6 – Minimalism frees your mind for what truly matters
(40:40) Lesson 7 – Gratitude for small things shapes how you show up
(45:00) Lesson 8 – Align work with life instead of separating the two
(51:07) Lesson 9 – Death makes life richer—appreciate the present
(56:35) Lesson 10 – Take life into your own hands. Go where the music plays. Surround yourself with great people
(01:02:30) Bonus Lesson 11 – Leadership starts with asking: “How are you?”
(01:06:50) Outro – Thank you + Join the Zenith Sunday Newsletter
Nicola Flückiger
Contact Me
- Email me with any feedback, ideas, or insights you've gained from the episodes: nicola [at] nicolafluckiger [dot] com
#199: 10 Definitions For Life
Catch The Zenith w/ Nicola Flückiger
#199: Welcome back to Catch The Zenith, the podcast where I document my journey to get better in life and business. Today, we’ve got another episode of Zenith Reflections—the format where I comment on some of my most interesting posts from the week on X.
If you’re new here, I’m Nicola—an entrepreneur and master’s student. Please share and enjoy!
Bonus Resources
- Sleep Improvement Checklist: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1V1rzVFpiSZ--9bxyxxlJEUs2uR6aLMcVU74FNJUsGdE/edit?usp=sharing
- Book Notes Template: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1QC-fDoFZuAihWerhbDasUgsOlqv6oF0JRsIxRDmSpTs/edit?usp=sharing
- Plan Your Days In 6 Easy Steps - Cheat Sheet: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1foEs9ZSeH7SpYfnZHN4B_XNihANhWdtj8bWdIcUazZk/edit?usp=sharing
Nicola Flückiger
- Show notes: https://catchthezenith.com/10-definitions-for-life-199/
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0wTnWNtnYui4QVeS9uahtx?si=200d107e7cdf4c5b
- Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/intense-life-with-nicola-flückiger/id1507662410
- Newsletter: https://catchthezenith.com/newsletter/
- X: https://x.com/NicolaFluckiger
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicola-fl%C3%BCckiger/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicola.fluckiger/
- Personal Website: https://nicolafluckiger.com/
About the Podcast
- Your zenith is your best self. Getting there is hard. This podcast helps. I’m Nicola, an entrepreneur, and here I share the many mistakes and lessons I’m learning along the way. Expect episodes about high performance and business.
Contact Me
- Email me with any feedback, ideas, or insights you've gained from the episodes: nicola [at] nicolafluckiger [dot] com
#198: "If You’re So Smart, Why Aren’t You Happy?" - Naval Ravikant
Catch The Zenith w/ Nicola Flückiger
#198: Welcome back to Catch The Zenith, the podcast where I document my journey to get better in life and business. Today, we’ve got another episode of Zenith Reflections—the format where I comment on some of my most interesting posts from the week on X.
If you’re new here, I’m Nicola—an entrepreneur and master’s student. Please share and enjoy!
Bonus Resources
- Sleep Improvement Checklist: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1V1rzVFpiSZ--9bxyxxlJEUs2uR6aLMcVU74FNJUsGdE/edit?usp=sharing
- Book Notes Template: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1QC-fDoFZuAihWerhbDasUgsOlqv6oF0JRsIxRDmSpTs/edit?usp=sharing
- Plan Your Days In 6 Easy Steps - Cheat Sheet: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1foEs9ZSeH7SpYfnZHN4B_XNihANhWdtj8bWdIcUazZk/edit?usp=sharing
Nicola Flückiger
- Show notes: https://catchthezenith.com/198-if-youre-so-smart-why-arent-you-happy-naval-ravikant/
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0wTnWNtnYui4QVeS9uahtx?si=200d107e7cdf4c5b
- Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/intense-life-with-nicola-flückiger/id1507662410
- Newsletter: https://catchthezenith.com/newsletter/
- X: https://x.com/NicolaFluckiger
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicola-fl%C3%BCckiger/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicola.fluckiger/
- Personal Website: https://nicolafluckiger.com/
About the Podcast
- Your zenith is your best self. Getting there is hard. This podcast helps. I’m Nicola, an entrepreneur, and here I share the many mistakes and lessons I’m learning along the way. Expect episodes about high performance and business.
Contact Me
- Email me with any feedback, ideas, or insights you've gained from the episodes: nicola [at] nicolafluckiger [dot] com
#197: Elon Musk’s Framework to Improve Anything
Catch The Zenith w/ Nicola Flückiger
#197: Welcome back to Catch The Zenith, the podcast where I document my journey to get better in life and business. Today, we’ve got another episode of Zenith Reflections—the format where I comment on some of my most interesting posts from the week on X.
If you’re new here, I’m Nicola—an entrepreneur and master’s student. Please share and enjoy!
Bonus Resources
- Sleep Improvement Checklist: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1V1rzVFpiSZ--9bxyxxlJEUs2uR6aLMcVU74FNJUsGdE/edit?usp=sharing
- Book Notes Template: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1QC-fDoFZuAihWerhbDasUgsOlqv6oF0JRsIxRDmSpTs/edit?usp=sharing
- Plan Your Days In 6 Easy Steps - Cheat Sheet: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1foEs9ZSeH7SpYfnZHN4B_XNihANhWdtj8bWdIcUazZk/edit?usp=sharing
Nicola Flückiger
- Show notes: https://catchthezenith.com/elon-musks-framework-to-improve-anything-197/
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0wTnWNtnYui4QVeS9uahtx?si=200d107e7cdf4c5b
- Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/intense-life-with-nicola-flückiger/id1507662410
- Newsletter: https://catchthezenith.com/newsletter/
- X: https://x.com/NicolaFluckiger
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicola-fl%C3%BCckiger/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicola.fluckiger/
- Personal Website: https://nicolafluckiger.com/
About the Podcast
- Your zenith is your best self. Getting there is hard. This podcast helps. I’m Nicola, an entrepreneur, and here I share the many mistakes and lessons I’m learning along the way. Expect episodes about high performance and business.
Contact Me
- Email me with any feedback, ideas, or insights you've gained from the episodes: nicola [at] nicolafluckiger [dot] com
#221: How I Built Self-Belief
22:35
#220: How I Turn Pain Into Fuel
15:09
#219: 14 Life Lessons I Wish I Knew at 18
57:55
#218: The Cost of Short-Term Thinking
17:20
#217: My Unconventional Diet Explained
16:55
#216: How I Make Decisions
39:40
#215: Why Focus Beats Intelligence
35:37
#214: Why Boring People Get Rich
15:42
#213: Become a MONSTER
21:51
#212: This Sales Lesson Changed How I Communicate
35:09
#211: How to Have an Adventure
37:59
#210: Silvan Krähenbühl – How to Get Your Personal Finances Right
1:43:21
#209: How I’m Trying to Find My Wife – Zenith Reflections
47:13
#208: Gary Arndt – Why Switzerland Might Be the Sanest Country in Europe
1:26:04
#207: The Hidden Damage of Short Form Content
36:12
#206: How I Rewired My Brain for Success with Dopamine Transfer
25:58
#205: David Morris – The 6 Coaching Client Types That Make or Break Your Business
1:41:44
#204: Bo Burlingham – The Cashflow Mistakes That Kill Most Companies
50:24
#203: Miloš Jovanović – Is University Still the Best Way to Learn?
3:32:42
#202: Lea Bochtler – What It’s Like Running a Coaching Business in China
1:11:46
#201: How I Fixed My Brain After the Internet Broke It
32:19
#200: 10 Lessons From 200 Episodes - Professor Sven Voelpel, Dr. Markus Elsässer & Cédric Waldburger
1:08:07
#199: 10 Definitions For Life
1:05:47
#198: "If You’re So Smart, Why Aren’t You Happy?" - Naval Ravikant
57:25
#197: Elon Musk’s Framework to Improve Anything
32:24