Podcast replay | You're an eagle acting like a chicken. Snap out of it!

Published 4 days ago • 1 min read

Dear Reader,

Last night's conversation with Thomas Blackwell was transformational.

Thomas is CEO of Say Do Achieve, best-selling author, and international speaker who has given 1000+ talks in 12 countries. His core message: We bring about what we talk about.

The story that hit hardest:

Thomas was struggling. His dad had passed away. His fifth grade teacher, Mrs. Bryant, called him in.

"You feel like the whole world's against you?"

"Yeah, I do."

"Good. I'm glad you feel that way. Because you're an eagle and you're acting like a chicken. Snap out of it. You're meant for greater things."

She called out his stinking thinking. At that moment, Thomas decided to change. He even changed his name from Tom to Thomas. His Saul to Paul moment.

Forty years later, he's still telling that story.

Other key moments:

E+R=O: Event + Response = Outcome

COVID-19 was the event. Some companies blamed it. Many went out of business. Others said "we got to innovate." They thrived.

The only thing you control is the response.

First responders vs first reactors:

First responders: trained to only respond. No emotion. Just action.

First reactors: bring high emotions to situations that just need a response.

The science: When a person has high emotions, they have low intelligence.

Thomas's wisdom:

"I don't have challenges, problems, or issues. All I have is opportunities for growth."

"Be 100% committed and 0% attached."

"When you say 'I can't,' you're right. If you say so. Verbal contract. Chains. Prison. But when you say 'I can,' you're also right."

Connect with Thomas below:

Website: www.SayDoAchieve.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-blackwell-a2463b14/
Book: “The Liberty of our Language Revealed: We Bring About What We Talk About”: https://a.co/d/07DuraY9

Big Announcement!

Cast your Vote for me to be featured on the cover of Health & Fitness HERS!

Thomas Blackwell started by winning a speech contest. I'm following in his shoes, my platforms all complement winning this competition below to help and inspire more humans!!!

Where you can vote: mshealthandfit.com/2026/cynthia-manion

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