54:From Rock Star to Leader: John Merkus on Embracing Change and Inspiring Greatness

In this week’s special festive episode of Rise and Thrive: Conversations for Greatness, the tables are turned as guest host Aaron Holesgrove interviews the podcast's very own host, John Merkus. Known as "The Positive Change Guy," John opens up about his incredible journey, sharing the moments, lessons, and philosophies that have shaped his life and career.

From being an enterprise leader, keynote speaker, and change management specialist to a loving family man and creator of the Fluid Reality Meditation Series, John inspires us all to embrace change and live life with purpose.

Here’s what you can expect from this heartwarming and inspiring episode:

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

🎸 The Story Behind "Johnny Rockstar": Discover how John’s diverse career path—from banking to IT to podcasting—helped him evolve into a leader focused on positive transformation.

🌟 The Power of Mindset: Learn the mindset shifts and personal development practices that have driven John’s success, including lessons from his father and transformative moments from his youth.

🧠 Overcoming Self-Doubt: Hear John’s take on navigating imposter syndrome and reframing it as a journey to becoming your best self.

🤝 Keys to Positive Change in Organizations: Explore how strong leadership and a clear vision are essential for driving meaningful change at work and beyond.

🎙️ Podcasting and Personal Growth: John reflects on how hosting Rise and Thrive has shaped his life and allowed him to connect with incredible people across the globe.

💡 Life Lessons from Guests and Family: From heartfelt wisdom shared by his daughter Matisse to insights from inspiring guests like Mindy Lyons and Emily Perkins, John shares the gold that has enriched his journey.

Memorable Quotes:

💬 “Everything happens for a reason, and it serves you. You either win or you learn.”
💬 “Don’t let the term ‘imposter syndrome’ hold you back—think of it as the journey to becoming your best self.”
💬 “It’s not time to worry until it’s time to worry. And right now, it’s not the time to worry.”

Why You Should Listen:

If you’ve ever wondered what drives the host of Rise and Thrive: Conversations for Greatness, this episode offers an inspiring peek into the philosophies, stories, and lessons that fuel John Merkus’s passion for empowerment. Whether you’re looking to embrace change, redefine your goals, or simply feel uplifted, this episode is packed with wisdom and heart.

🎧 Tune in now on your favorite podcast platform and get ready to rise, thrive, and embrace greatness!

💥 Don’t miss part two of this special interview, where we’ll dive deeper into John’s journey of positivity and personal transformation! Be sure to subscribe and share this episode with someone who could use a little inspiration.

 

🔗 Follow us on social media and share your favourite moments. We’d love to hear how you're implementing these tools in your life!

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Other bits:

https://www.johnmerkus.com

Merko Motivation Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1zOOEieBv2g1cZxIe7uFRV?si=7618a9b7596341cd

Legal Stuff

By accessing this Podcast, I acknowledge that the entire contents are the property of John Merkus, or used by John Merkus with permission, and are protected under U.S. and international copyright and trademark laws. Except as otherwise provided herein, users of this Podcast may save and use information contained in the Podcast only for personal or other non-commercial, educational purposes. No other use, including, without limitation, reproduction, retransmission or editing, of this Podcast may be made without the prior written permission of the John Merkus, which may be requested by contacting john@johnmerkus.com.

This podcast is for educational purposes only. The host claims no responsibility to any person or entity for any liability, loss, or damage caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly as a result of the use, application, or interpretation of the information presented herein.