Black Belt Leadership

In this installment, Dr. John dives deep into how much of what we believe and assume about ourselves isn’t truly our own. It is absorbed from those around us. Using a childhood parable, he illustrates how easy it is to live within the confines of someone else’s mindset, never realizing our true potential. Drawing on the timeless wisdom of Napoleon Hill, Dr. John explores concepts like “second-hand thinking” and “social heredity,” a...

In this episode, we dive into the concept of capacity and how it shapes our personal growth, mindset, and ultimate success. Drawing from memorable childhood stories, including family traditions of reserving space for dessert, Dr. John unpacks avaluable lesson: creating excess capacity isn’t just a strategy for enjoying pie—it’s essential for attracting and seizing new opportunities in life. Explore how limiting beliefs and “success...

In this thought-provoking session, “In the Ring With Yourself,” Dr. John explores the internal battles we all face when striving to be our best selves. Drawing powerful parallels from films like Jet Li’s “The One” and Will Smith’s “Gemini Man,” he sheds light on what it means to confront—and ultimately overcome—your own negative thoughts and self-doubt.

From understanding the prevalence of destructive self-talk, to identifying the s...

Welcome to the Black Belt Leadership Podcast! In this episode, host Dr. John dives into the concept of Sherpa Leadership, drawing powerful lessons from the legendaryascent of Mount Everest by Sir Edmund Hillary and his indispensable Sherpa guide, Tenzing Norgay.

While Hillary is remembered as the first person to reachEverest’s summit, Dr. John explores the untold story of teamwork, resilience, and the crucial leadership role played...

The legendary Tower of Babel is not just an ancient legend; it is a powerful metaphor for leadership and personal growth.Diving deep into the biblical account and Jewish traditions surrounding Nimrod and the Tower of Babel, Dr. John reveals how fear and an obsession with the past can hold us back from fulfilling our potential. Through real-world examples, neuroscience insights, and practical strategies, this episodechallenges us to...

Are you pregnant with possibility?  Drawing vivid inspiration from the animal kingdom—ranging from Australia’s tiny Dunnart, which boasts the shortest gestation period, to theAfrican elephant, whose pregnancy can last nearly two years— Dr. John explores how these natural processes mirror thebirth of new thoughts, inventions, and breakthroughs in our personal and professional lives.

You’ll hear stories from renowned inventors like Th...

Welcome to the Black Belt Leadership Podcast, where martial arts wisdom meets real-world leadership.  In this episode,Dr. John warns listeners to "Beware the Suds," negative self-talk, comparison, and toxic influences, that can limit our growth. Drawing from SpongeBob, Dr. John shares four practical steps for purging the "suds" from our lives and becoming the strongest version of ourselves. The world wants the b...

Welcome to the Black Belt Leadership Podcast, where martial arts wisdom meets real-world leadership and personal growth.  In this lesson, we explore “The Buffet Paradox” and how it limits our success. The secret to success lies in focusing on one chief aim, not sampling from every option in life.  Join Dr. John as he shares a simple 5-step process that has guided some of the world’s most successful people throughout history – and i...

In this week’s lesson, Dr. John invites us to reawaken our curiosity and push past the limits of what we think is possible and why vantage point—both literally and figuratively—limits or expands our vision of what lies ahead. Whether it’s standing on a beach at sunset, climbing a mountain, or reaching for the stars, this episode will inspire you to look beyond your current horizon, rediscover your sense of adventure, and take actio...

In this installment, Dr. John takes us on a journey through time, examining the humble origins of some of the world’s most famous, most successful people.  How did they do that?  Each of them, and countless others like them throughout history, engaged in four specific behaviors that set them on a course for success.  Tune in to discover this simple, but powerful truth: Do not despise humble beginnings. Where you begin doesn’t have ...

Welcome to the Black Belt Leadership Podcast with Dr. John L. Terry, III, where martial arts wisdom meets real-world leadership. In this installment, Dr. John takes us on a journey back to the golden age of comic books, revisiting the iconic Green Lantern and the powerful symbolism behind the ring each character wears. Using the story of the Green Lantern Corps and their willpower-fueled rings, Dr. Terry unpacks thelife and leaders...

Moms have an amazing gift of teaching us lessons that stay with us for our entire lives. One of those lessons is understanding what it means to be human.  Ancient cultures have sought to answer this question, without consensus, until one Mom finally did it – in a powerful, transformative way.   In this Black Belt Leadership installment, we examine The Rules for Being Human and how they apply to self-leadership and the leadership of...

In this installment of Black Belt Leadership, Dr. John takes us where no man has gone before as he kicks things off with a nostalgic nod to Star Trek before exploring “The Blink.”  Not only do our eyes blink, but so does our brain. We all experience brief mental pauses when our minds literally “blink,” causing us to miss important details, leading to gaps in memory and perspective.  This is where having others around us can be inva...

If you’ve ever found yourself making excuses or feeling trapped by self-imposed roadblocks, this Black Belt Leadership episode is for you. Dr. John unpacks the "BUT Effect"—those mental limitations we often set for ourselves—and provides actionable strategies to spot, shrink, and swap those limiting thoughts for empowering ones. Through step-by-step exercises, you'll learn how to break free from the habits that hold y...

What can Grover, the loveable, furry monster from Sesame Street, teach us about life? Turns out, a lot. In this installmentof Black Belt Leadership, Dr. John takes us on an unexpected journey from the world of Sesame Street’s Grover to classic films like Groundhog Day and The Shining. Every day is a fresh page in the book of our lives—will we keep rewriting the same old story, or are we ready to turn the page and see what’s next?

In this installment of Black Belt Leadership, Dr. John takes us beyond the banner, examining iconic sports dynasties like the Chicago Bulls and Green Bay Packers, exploring what truly sets champions apart—not just the trophies and banners, but the mindset and relentless pursuit of excellence that comes after the win, as well as how to bounce back after a losing season. Discover three powerful life lessons that can help you look bey...

The iceberg that doomed the Titanic weighed more than 1.5 million tons.  Yet, only a small portion of this massive chunk of ice was visible above the surface.  What lies beneath our own lives may be more substantial, more influential, and more impactful than what others can see above the surface.  Real growth, self-awareness, and leadership are cultivated below the surface.  Get ready to discover the eight elements lurking beneath ...

Where you plant yourself matters.  That’s the topic of this week’s Black Belt Leadership podcast as Dr. John takes us on a nostalgic journey to the fables and parables we heard aschildren, and the powerful life lessons they teach us. One lesson, the Parable of the Sower, teaches a powerful lesson: growth depends on your environment. Whether you’re sowing seeds of personal development or nurturing your own leadership journey, this e...