"The fear I saw in that man's eyes—the one I almost executed—is the same fear I now see in people not living to their full potential." – Shawn Pollard
When Survival Becomes the Standard
Some stories don’t just inspire — they wake you up. In this episode, I sat down with Shawn Pollard, and what he shared wasn’t curated or clean. It was real. His life didn’t change on a stage or after a speech — it changed in the middle of pain, addiction, and loss. If you’ve been walking through the fire thinking no one sees it — this is the conversation that tells you you’re not alone, and you’re not done.
The Night That Split a Life in Two
There was a night that changed everything. One second, Shawn was a young man making memories. The next, he was holding his best friend in his arms as life slipped away. That moment didn’t just break his heart — it rerouted his entire life. And what followed? It wasn’t healing. It was chaos. Until another decision years later would set a new direction in motion.
When the Mask Cracks
Success on the outside means nothing when you’re falling apart on the inside. Shawn wore the mask well — money, career, the image. But behind it all was pain he never processed, and an addiction he couldn’t control. It cost him more than he ever imagined. Sometimes the collapse isn’t loud. Sometimes it’s quiet, slow, and relentless.
The Hard Way Out
No rehab centers. No programs. Just a man, alone, facing every demon he used to run from. The climb back wasn’t pretty — but it was pure. Thirty days that changed everything. Not because the pain ended, but because he finally stopped running from it. That’s when the old version died — and something stronger came to life.
What the Mindset Monster Really Means
The Mindset Monster isn’t about hype. It’s about ownership. It's what happens when you take your darkest chapters and make them your platform. Today, Shawn leads others through their own transformation — not by preaching, but by standing in the gap with them. And if you think it’s just for him — you’re wrong. It’s in you too.
The Pain That Builds the Platform
You don’t become unstoppable by avoiding pain. You become unstoppable by walking through it and deciding it won’t define you. Shawn didn’t just get his life back — he built a new one. His story reminds us: redemption isn’t found in the spotlight. It’s built in the shadows.
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15 min free call with Shawn Pollard when you email maria@7thlevelhqteam.com, let her know you are “from the podcast”.
Chapters
03:40 The Birth of the Mindset Monster
06:27 The Journey Through Pain and Addiction
09:19 Rebirth and Transformation
12:14 Building a New Life and Business
15:04 The Legacy of Pain and Purpose
17:56 Driving Change and Helping Others
20:49 Understanding Emotional Needs in Relationships
23:38 The Power of Transformation and Growth
26:07 The Importance of Hope and Dreaming
29:48 Becoming Iconic: Legacy and Purpose
32:05 The Journey of Self-Discovery and Identity
35:50 Finding Solace in Solitude and Reflection
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Stuff You Should Know
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Medal of Honor: Stories of Courage
Rewarded for bravery that goes above and beyond the call of duty, the Medal of Honor is the United States’ top military decoration. The stories we tell are about the heroes who have distinguished themselves by acts of heroism and courage that have saved lives. From Judith Resnik, the second woman in space, to Daniel Daly, one of only 19 people to have received the Medal of Honor twice, these are stories about those who have done the improbable and unexpected, who have sacrificed something in the name of something much bigger than themselves. Every Wednesday on Medal of Honor, uncover what their experiences tell us about the nature of sacrifice, why people put their lives in danger for others, and what happens after you’ve become a hero. Special thanks to series creator Dan McGinn, to the Congressional Medal of Honor Society and Adam Plumpton. Medal of Honor begins on May 28. Subscribe to Pushkin+ to hear ad-free episodes one week early. Find Pushkin+ on the Medal of Honor show page in Apple or at Pushkin.fm. Subscribe on Apple: apple.co/pushkin Subscribe on Pushkin: pushkin.fm/plus
Dateline NBC
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