We’ve all seen it: the superstar hire who looks perfect on paper but starts drowning within six months.

They have the degree. They have the experience. They have the "Midwest work ethic" Dustin DeBoer and I talked about. So what went wrong?

On the newest I’m Up He See’s Me I’m Down, Dustin explains that productivity isn't just about effort—it's about alignment. When you ask a natural visionary to manage minute details, or a natural supporter to make cold, hard executive decisions, you are asking them to "mask" their true selves.

That mask is heavy. It leads to burnout, errors, and eventually, departure. Dustin’s work in leadership consulting proves that when you align a person’s role with their God-given wiring, productivity doesn't just improve—it becomes effortless.

Most leaders believe their biggest hurdle is execution, but what if the real problem is an identity crisis? In this episode, Mike Turner sits down with executive coach and leadership consultant Desiree Cocroft to discuss the philosophy behind her company, Destination Life.

With over 22 years of experience, Desiree shares why high-performing professionals often fall into the trap of "proving energy"—constantly trying to validate their worth—rather than leading from a place of secure identity and "being energy". The conversation explores how to move beyond productivity systems to focus on intentional growth, the importance of psychological safety in the workplace, and why leadership is a skill that must be cultivated rather than a trait you are simply "born with".

Whether you are feeling stuck in your career or simply need a reminder to pause, breathe, and reset, this episode provides actionable insights on how to enjoy the journey of leadership while managing the stressors of today’s fast-moving world.

Key Discussion Points:

• Identity vs. Execution: Why your inability to reach a goal is often an identity or root-cause issue, not a lack of strategy.

• The "Proving" Trap: How to shift from "proving energy" (scarcity-based) to "being energy" (security-based).

• The Art of the Pause: Practical habits for self-care and re-centering yourself to neutral throughout a high-stress workday.

• Cultivating Leadership: Why leadership is a learnable skill that requires constant cultivation, similar to athletic training.

• Defining Success: How to chase a feeling of peace and joy rather than just chasing the next job title.

→ I’m Up He See’s Me I’m Down — real conversations about rising when life knocks you down.

In this episode of I'm Up! He sees Me, I'm Down PODCAST, Mike Turner talks with Steve Lentini — CEO of Lord & Lentini, bestselling author, and host of Different Thinking for Different Times. They explore Steve’s extraordinary journey from a near-death experience to a mission-driven career coaching CEOs and sales leaders. Together, they discuss how emotional intelligence, mindfulness, and “Sales CPR” can reignite purpose, elevate performance, and bring new life to leadership in today’s business world.

In this episode of I'm Up He Sees Me I’m Down, host Mike Turner sits down with executive transformation coach William Deck, founder of MindBusiness LLC and creator of the Presence Over Performance™ system. William opens up about his path through corporate leadership, burnout, and the powerful moment in the ICU that shifted the entire direction of his life.

Mike and William dig into identity, trauma, imposter syndrome, and the internal narratives that quietly shape a leader’s confidence and decision-making. William explains why so many high performers break down in silence, how faith and surrender rebuilt his foundation, and what actually happens inside his six-week transformation system that has helped hundreds of leaders move from pressure to presence.

A candid, inspiring conversation for leaders searching for clarity, authenticity, and a path back to alignment.

In this episode of I’m Up, He Sees Me, I’m Down, host Mike Turner sits down with Paul Sylvester, award-winning executive coach and founder of Team Sylvester – Leadership Coaching Redefined.
After helping take a billion-dollar company public, Paul’s life changed forever when a sudden aortic aneurysm left him fighting for his life. That near-death experience set him on a mission to redefine leadership and help others transform without having to endure life-altering events.
Together, Mike and Paul discuss what it means to lead with humility, the difference between management and true leadership, and how service organizations like Folds of Honor inspire his purpose-driven approach.

In this episode, host Mike Turner sits down with Michelle L. Cox, an Executive Leadership Coach and ICF Professional Certified Coach, to explore what it really means to lead authentically in today’s high-pressure corporate world. After two decades in senior corporate leadership, Michelle left the boardroom to help executives transform burnout into balance and rediscover purpose through accountability and self-awareness. Her coaching philosophy — “transform the leader, transform the business” — has guided executives across industries to achieve sustainable success without the 80-hour workweeks. Michelle opens up about how personal loss reshaped her perspective on resilience, why emotional intelligence outperforms authority, and how leaders can cultivate clarity and connection in their organizations. She also shares actionable insights for veterans and high-performing professionals seeking to translate their discipline and drive into compassionate, human-centered leadership.