Step Down to Level Up with Karan Mehta

Описание: Ever taken a job that felt like a step back—only to realize later it was the turning point?

In this deeply personal and practical episode, Claire Hayek is joined by Karan Mehta, a marketing and ops leader who shares how a “step down” to serving coffee during COVID led him to leading national campaigns in Canada.

Through neuroscience tools and real talk, Claire and Karan unpack what it takes to stay grounded, bounce back, and rewire your mindset when life doesn’t go as planned.

Whether you’re navigating a pivot, leading a team through change, or just trying to stay steady—you’ll walk away with tools you can use today.

Topics Covered:
•Mental fitness in the face of uncertainty
•Reframing ego, fear, and status drops
•Team leadership through unexpected change
•Habit stacking: meditation, sticky notes, and self-talk
•Manifestation vs discipline: how belief + action rewires your brain
•Emotional regulation under stress

Timestamps:
00:00 – Why “step downs” are often level-ups
02:45 – Karan’s story: from India to Canada to McDonald's to executive leadership
06:20 – When COVID crushed the plan—and what came next
08:55 – Neuroscience reset: double inhale + floor grounding
10:45 – Positive self-talk and sticky note mindset hacks
13:20 – What to do when your brain spirals
14:40 – Why the mind only needs certainty + control
17:10 – Leadership under pressure: how Karan leads his team through change
19:30 – Claire’s 3-step neuroscience hack for managing change
20:10 – Rapid fire Qs: habits, podcasts, and leadership influences
22:15 – Listener challenge: reframe your own “step down”
24:00 – Final words from Claire and Karan

What you’ll learn:
•How to reframe career “setbacks” as strategic stepping stones
•Neuroscience-based resets to shift your mindset under pressure
•What to say to your team when plans change unexpectedly
•Karan’s personal story of moving countries, surviving COVID job loss, and turning it all around
•How daily meditation, positive reinforcement, and sticky notes helped him train his brain for success
•Claire also shares a 60-second neuroscience reset tool and challenges listeners to reframe their own “step down” moments.

Mentioned in This Episode:
•McDonald's (Karan’s transitional role)
•Uber Eats (Karan’s former company)
•George Brown College (post-grad)
•Podcast by Mo Gawdat: “Transforming Yourself Starts With Your Thoughts”

Follow Claire on LinkedIn:
  / clairehayek  

Follow Karan on LinkedIn:
  / karanmehta22  


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The NeuroLeadership Edge Podcast is produced by Claire Hayek. All opinions are those of the host and guests. For more leadership resources, visit www.mspteambuilding.com.