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Unlocking Energy and Attentionality, featuring David Nurse
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From being cut in Spain to coaching in the NBA, and from writing cold letters to becoming a bestselling author and global speaker, David Nurse's path defies traditional success playbooks. In this episode, David Nurse, a former professional basketball player and NBA coach turned elite performance strategist, bestselling author, and one of the top 50 keynote speakers in the world, sits down with host Michelle Johnston to unpack the mindset tools and energetic strategies that elevate leaders beyond grind culture into a sustainable rhythm of achievement and joy.
David Nurse is known for his transformative approach to mindset. He has trained over 150 NBA players and works with top executives and organizations to unlock next-level leadership and peak performance. He is the author of several acclaimed books including Pivot & Go and Breakthrough, and is the host of The David Nurse Show. With a blend of athletic rigor and psychological insight, David inspires global audiences to shift perspectives, harness energy, and lead lives rooted in joy, connection, and purpose.
In this episode, David reveals how pivotal moments—like being released from a pro team or getting fired from an NBA coaching job—became catalysts for reinvention. With wisdom born from real-world setbacks, he emphasizes that doors don’t close, they pivot into patios. He shares how his mom’s metaphor about beachfront opportunities reshaped his worldview and lit the path forward.
He speaks candidly about what’s holding most high performers back: not time, but energy and attentionality. He outlines systems for daily success, including morning routines, the power of perspective, flow state optimization, and intentional end-of-day rituals. David's life is living proof that discipline creates freedom, and he empowers listeners with tools like the “bucket of lies vs truths,” “mental dictatorship,” and “the SNAP method” to shift from stress to strategy.
Michelle and David explore the seismic shifts in leadership culture, away from hustle-as-worth and toward holistic, human-centered performance. Whether you’re a CEO, an emerging leader, or just seeking more purpose in your day, this conversation offers a blueprint for living and leading with presence, positivity, and possibility.
CHAPTERS:
00:00 Meet David Nurse: From Pro Ball to Performance Coach
03:02 The Spain Cut & The Beachfront Metaphor
07:45 Handwritten Letters and NBA Coaching Dreams
12:18 Fired & Pivoting to Purpose
16:00 The Energy Shift: Beyond Hustle Culture
20:11 Routines, Flow State & the SNAP Technique
24:39 Time Bucketing, Big 3s & Daily Resets
29:13 Leading with Energy & Intentional Recharge
32:00 Mindset Tools: Lies, Truths, and Crushing Ants
34:26 The Flow Code Project & What’s Next for David
Special thanks to our friend Brian Wayy for the theme music this season!
Track Title: My Hearts On Fire
56 episodes
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