Summer Session 2025 Highlights: Essential resilience skills for solopreneurs
Thu Jan 22 2026
Looking for a great listen this summer? Check out our highlights from the past year and learn a new skill today!
This week's episode of Flying Solo focuses on the often overlooked yet crucial aspect of being a solo entrepreneur—our personal wellbeing and resilience.
Melli O'Brien, renowned coach, mindfulness educator, and author of Deep Resilience has aided over a million individuals worldwide in finding inner calm and clarity. She shares her personal journey from dealing with mental health crises to becoming a beacon of mindfulness and strength.
In this conversation, Melli dives into the key skills necessary for cultivating resilience, breaking down her four-part method designed to empower you through life's adversities. Whether you're feeling burnt out, caught in overthinking traps, or simply eager to strengthen your mindset, this episode is filled with practical insights and strategies to help you reconnect with your inner strength and values.
Key topics
Melli O'Brien's Background and Journey
Her experience with a difficult childhood leading to mental health challenges.
Hitting a crisis point with mental health issues like an eating disorder, depression, and suicidal ideation.
Discovering resilience and happiness as skills and seeking guidance.
Development of Skills and Writing of "Deep Resilience" Book
Encounter with teachings from Buddhism and psychology about resilience.
Development of skills leading to significant personal transformation.
Motivation to write her book based on patterns observed in others.
Discussion on Resilience and Inner Strength
Difference observed between those who struggle and those who thrive under adversity.
Introduction to the "deep resilience method" and its foundational skills.
The FEAR and RISE Models
Explanation of the FEAR model, outlining elements leading to spirals of struggle.
Introduction to the RISE model as a counteracting strategy to FEAR.
Mindfulness and Its Misconceptions
Addressing skepticism around mindfulness and its practical benefits.
Explanation of how mindfulness helps manage thoughts and emotions effectively.
Practical Application of Mindfulness and Managing Overthinking
Real-life example from Melli's personal experience with her cat's health emergency.
Implementing mindfulness techniques and regulating negative thoughts.
Addressing Burnout and Maintaining Balance
Understanding and recognising the signs of burnout.
Importance of balancing life activities through an inventory of "drainers" and "sustainers."
Timestamped overview
06:17 Deep Resilience and Personal Growth
10:05 Overcoming FEAR Pattern
11:52 Managing Emotions and Stress Wisely
15:52 Staying Connected to Your Values
18:53 Overcoming Anxious Thoughts
21:14 Mindfulness Simplifies Emotional Awareness
27:20 Resilience Framework: 3 C's for Wellbeing
28:49 Mastering Skills Through Practice
34:57 Mindfulness to Combat Burnout
38:47 Burnout Check-In: Drainers vs. Sustainers
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Looking for a great listen this summer? Check out our highlights from the past year and learn a new skill today! This week's episode of Flying Solo focuses on the often overlooked yet crucial aspect of being a solo entrepreneur—our personal wellbeing and resilience. Melli O'Brien, renowned coach, mindfulness educator, and author of Deep Resilience has aided over a million individuals worldwide in finding inner calm and clarity. She shares her personal journey from dealing with mental health crises to becoming a beacon of mindfulness and strength. In this conversation, Melli dives into the key skills necessary for cultivating resilience, breaking down her four-part method designed to empower you through life's adversities. Whether you're feeling burnt out, caught in overthinking traps, or simply eager to strengthen your mindset, this episode is filled with practical insights and strategies to help you reconnect with your inner strength and values. Key topics Melli O'Brien's Background and Journey Her experience with a difficult childhood leading to mental health challenges. Hitting a crisis point with mental health issues like an eating disorder, depression, and suicidal ideation. Discovering resilience and happiness as skills and seeking guidance. Development of Skills and Writing of "Deep Resilience" Book Encounter with teachings from Buddhism and psychology about resilience. Development of skills leading to significant personal transformation. Motivation to write her book based on patterns observed in others. Discussion on Resilience and Inner Strength Difference observed between those who struggle and those who thrive under adversity. Introduction to the "deep resilience method" and its foundational skills. The FEAR and RISE Models Explanation of the FEAR model, outlining elements leading to spirals of struggle. Introduction to the RISE model as a counteracting strategy to FEAR. Mindfulness and Its Misconceptions Addressing skepticism around mindfulness and its practical benefits. Explanation of how mindfulness helps manage thoughts and emotions effectively. Practical Application of Mindfulness and Managing Overthinking Real-life example from Melli's personal experience with her cat's health emergency. Implementing mindfulness techniques and regulating negative thoughts. Addressing Burnout and Maintaining Balance Understanding and recognising the signs of burnout. Importance of balancing life activities through an inventory of "drainers" and "sustainers." Timestamped overview 06:17 Deep Resilience and Personal Growth 10:05 Overcoming FEAR Pattern 11:52 Managing Emotions and Stress Wisely 15:52 Staying Connected to Your Values 18:53 Overcoming Anxious Thoughts 21:14 Mindfulness Simplifies Emotional Awareness 27:20 Resilience Framework: 3 C's for Wellbeing 28:49 Mastering Skills Through Practice 34:57 Mindfulness to Combat Burnout 38:47 Burnout Check-In: Drainers vs. Sustainers Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices