Have you ever felt trapped by patterns you know aren’t serving you, yet somehow can’t break free?

While most personal development focuses on external strategies, real transformation happens when you master what’s going on internally. In this powerful episode, entrepreneur and transformational speaker Ryan Zofay reveals the performance psychology framework that took him from being pronounced dead at a crime scene to building a nine-figure healthcare business with over 600 employees.

The Rock Bottom That Changed Everything

October 8, 2001. After a weekend of drugs and alcohol, Ryan was running from police, terrified of 25 years to life in prison. He flipped his car and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Growing up with a drug-addicted mother who used him to commit crimes and an alcoholic father, Ryan spent two years in and out of juvenile detention. When he woke up after that accident, a transformation began. Through the 12-step program and his sponsor, Rev. Dave Hott, Ryan discovered the foundation of everything he teaches: the gift of living is giving.

Understanding Performance Psychology

Ryan developed a framework that breaks down how humans create their reality:

• Your thoughts create your choices
• Your choices create your behaviours
• Your behaviours create your experiences
• Your experiences create your emotional state

Most people try to change outcomes without addressing what’s creating those outcomes. Performance psychology teaches you to master your thoughts and emotional state so you can control your actions.

The Unconscious Program Running Your Life

Ryan’s most powerful insight: “You will never be consistent with anything that is inconsistent with your unconscious program.”

This is why people know they need to leave a relationship but can’t. They know they need a new career but stay stuck. The unconscious mind keeps you safe by resisting unfamiliar territory.

Choose Your Pain Wisely

“You’re going to experience pain in staying the same, or you’re going to experience pain for growing. Pick which pain you want, because it’s going to happen either way.”

The difference? The pain of growing gets you somewhere with satisfaction, relief, and progress.

Feel It to Heal It

Ryan’s most important teaching: you have to feel the feelings to heal them.

Most people avoid emotions through drinking, gambling, overworking, or other escapes. But “if you’re not feeling it, you’re never going to get to where you want to be.”

When you express emotions and feel the feelings of transformation, you build that muscle. Then you’re in control of how you feel.

Your Relationship With Money

Your relationship with money at an unconscious level is why you’re not making the money you want.

Ryan’s revealing exercise: complete “When I have money, I feel…” and “When I don’t have money, I feel…”

If having or not having money determines your feelings, that’s the problem. You have to feel good before the money is made. You have to be the millionaire before the money arrives.

Addressing Past Voids

Ryan’s process takes people back to where the original void started. In early formative years, children experience voids like not being good enough or not getting enough attention. These stored sensations develop into belief systems.

When people express those feelings and make sense of them, symptoms like pessimism resolve. The core issue is developing self-compassion and self-love. Once your thoughts and feelings are aligned, you can choose how you respond to life.

Why This Matters Now

Ryan’s work centers on one principle: leadership comes from within. Once you can lead yourself to healing and transformation, you can show others how to do the same.

When you master your emotional state and thoughts, you’re in control of your choices. And when you’re in control of your choices, you create a life beyond your wildest dreams.

About Ryan Zofay

Ryan Zofay is a transformative leader, entrepreneur, and coach who turned personal adversity into a mission to empower others. Sober for 23+ years, he founded We Level Up, a nationwide treatment centre, and built coaching programs that blend healing, inner mastery, and business growth.

Three Golden Nuggets: Start Today

The Mirror Exercise – Radical Ownership Stand in front of a mirror every morning. Look yourself in the eyes and say: “I am 100% responsible for my life today.”

The Gratitude Reframe – Rewire Stress When something frustrates you, write down the situation. Next to it, write three hidden gifts or lessons in it.

90-Second Reset – Emotional Mastery When triggered, pause for 90 seconds. Close your eyes, take deep breaths, place your hand on your chest. Label the emotion, then ask: “What’s the higher version of me that wants to show up?”

Key Takeaway

Mastering your life isn’t about learning more tactics. It’s about doing the internal work to heal the voids that created your protective patterns. When you can feel your feelings instead of avoiding them and find peace within, you unlock a level of power that changes everything.

You can watch the video of the conversation on YouTube

Check out Ryan’s upcoming transformational event, Mastering Your Inner World, on October 11th and 12th (both in-person and virtual options): https://levelup.ryanzofay.com/secure-seat

Find Out More About Ryan Zofay

Ryan’s Website: ryanzofay.com

Follow Ryan on Instagram: @ryan.zofay

Follow Ryan on Facebook

YouTube Channel @ryanzofay