Welcome to 2026! I hope you’ve had time to reflect and recharge over the holidays, but I’m happy to be back with you for a new year of informative shows and amazing expert guests.

Can you improve your performance and resilience through neuroscience-based strategies? The answer is YES! Today’s conversation covers mental toughness, managing negative thoughts, and creating positive change from the inside out. You’ll discover practical tools for navigating the constant “noise” of your thoughts and letting your mind direct which thoughts deserve your energy and attention. Are you ready to think differently about the way you think? Join us!

Kevin Stacey is an effectiveness expert and former brain imaging specialist who helps individuals and organizations enhance performance, resilience, and results by utilizing neuroscience-based strategies. As the founder of TrainRight, Kevin has trained over 80,000 people across 48 states and four countries to break mental barriers, achieve peak performance, and navigate challenges with confidence. His diverse background blends military service, healthcare expertise, and corporate leadership. As the author ofMindRight andTimeRight and a featured guest on major media outlets, Kevin delivers engaging keynotes, workshops, and coaching on mental toughness, time mastery, and high-performance strategies to clients such as Ford, IBM, The New York Times, and the Federal Reserve.

Show Highlights:

1. Overthinking is the #1 cause of unhappiness! (“Is my overthinking becoming counterproductive to the goals I want to accomplish?”)
2. Kevin’s tips for “navigating the noise”: sometimes we need to ignore it, listen to it, or quiet it.
3. Creating your own noise by controlling what you think about
4. Kevin’s tips for developing mental toughness:
5. Separate the brain (the creator of thoughts) and the mind (the director of your thoughts).
6. Use your mind to keep your brain in check.
7. Develop a different relationship with your “scary” thoughts.
8. How our brains harm our happiness
9. Change the subject to change your thinking. (“Thoughts are not facts.”)
10. Applying neuroscience to organizations by reducing insecurity and managing focus
11. Noticing and changing your thoughts interrupts the pattern of your thinking.
12. “What you think, you become; what you feel, you attract; what you imagine, you create.”
13. The “noise” will always be there, but we don’t have to focus on it. (Like when you’re on a train, notice you’re on the “wrong track,” and get off at the “next station.”)
14. Coaches can practice using a “pattern interrupt” technique with clients.
15. Thought-changing techniques using ACT (acceptance and commitment therapy) and CBT (cognitive behavior therapy)
16. The value of gratitude in managing our negative thoughts and reframing our perspective
17. Be careful of “outrage addiction.”
18. “Life is a journey, not a destination.”
19. Use a daily reminder: “I’m grateful, I’m happy, how do I want this day to go?”

Resources:

Connect with Kevin Stacey

Website,X,LinkedIn,MindRight, andTimeRight

Connect with Meg

Get Meg’s FREE download, Finding Your Perfect Match:A Coach's Self-Reflection Guide.

Explore the STaR Coach ShowMentor Program. New dates have been added for 2026!

Explore past episodes and other resources atwww.STaRcoachshow.com.

Explore theSTaR Coach Community and see what’s available there for you!

Visit the STaR Coach ShowYouTube Channel! Subscribe today! Join our live show taping on the 3rd Thursday of every month at 1 pm CT.

Mentioned in this episode:

Mentor Program

If you're working toward your ACC or PCC credential, or if it's time to recertify your ACC mentor, coaching isn't just a requirement on a checklist. It's one of the most transformative investments you can make in yourself and your coaching. I've taught or mentored over 2000 coaches, and I hear the same thing again and again. I came because I had to, and I am so glad that I did. Coaches tell me they walk away with renewed energy, deeper confidence and a community of peers who genuinely support each other. Here's what you need to know right now. Mentor coaching must span a minimum of three months, so the time to start is not when your credential is just about to expire. And if you complete your hours in 2026, you get ahead of the upcoming ICF changes, which means peace of mind along with skill development. My fall cohort is already filling up. Every group is capped at ten.It's small, personal, and powerful. If you've been waiting for the right time, this is it. So head over to Star Coach Show. That’s https://starcoachshow.com/mentor/ to grab your spot or to learn more. I'd love to work with you. Now, let's get into today's show.

Join Mentoring Program!

If you’re a coach who wants to grow—not just check a box—this is for you.I’m enrolling coaches now for my Spring Mentoring Program. Some are here for credentialing hours. Others are here because they want to become the coach their clients rave about.Inside the program, we work on your actual coaching.You’ll hear yourself differently.Learn from other coaches.Develop more presence.And ask questions that create real transformation.If you’re ready to deepen your skills and your impact, I’d love to support you.Learn more at starcoachshow.com/mentorI’d love to work with you.