The moment you stop believing every thought that crosses your mind, true freedom begins.
– Mike Wood
In this third chapter of our Podcast-to-Book journey with Mike Wood, we step into the quiet space behind the noise… the witness within. Mike’s path has spanned building a $100 million company to rebuilding from the inside out, and that contrast gives today’s conversation its gravity. This isn’t a hunt for a shiny fix; it’s about learning to sit in awareness, to notice the weather of the mind without becoming the storm. The promise here is practical freedom: the moment you stop believing every thought, a different chemistry, a different rhythm, and a different kind of choice becomes available.
What follows is a grounded, step-by-step exploration of how to find the gap between thinking and being, how to work with the “squirrel moment” in meditation, how to reframe thoughts with compassion, and why instant forgiveness keeps your nervous system clear. If you’re ready to meet the part of you that’s calm, steady, and unshakably present, you’re in the right place. Resources and Mike’s full program live at learntolovebeingyou.com, with access options for those in financial need—because this work is meant to be reachable.
Thank you so much for joining us! Our readers would love to get to know you a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your backstory?
I’ve lived a life of sharp contrasts… building a $100 million company and then choosing to rebuild from the inside out. That pivot pulled me out of constant noise and into the quiet space behind the noise. I learned firsthand that peace isn’t a trophy you chase; it’s a presence you can access right here, right now. Today, my work is about helping people discover the “witness within”—the calm awareness that notices thoughts without becoming them.
What do you mean when you say, “You are not your thoughts”?
So much of what runs through our minds is recycled content; old core beliefs, protective stories, and regurgitated memories from the past. When we think those loops are “me,” we hand over our power and react as if they’re facts. The liberating truth is: you’re the one who notices the thoughts, not the thoughts themselves. From that witness seat, you can pause, process, and reframe instead of getting dragged into anxiety or depression by every passing story.
Why do negative thoughts feel so convincing if they aren’t “us”?
The subconscious is trying to protect us by holding on to past pain and flashing warnings based on yesterday’s hurts. It means well, but the method is outdated, so it floods us with “you’re not enough” or “don’t try” to keep us “safe.” None of that is present-moment truth… it’s old programming on autoplay. When you see the source clearly, the spell breaks, the weight drops, and your system stops reacting as if those messages are reality.
How does creating separation from thoughts change our state in the moment?
Separation interrupts the reflex loop between thought and stress chemistry. When you’re fused with a story, you pump cortisol and fear; when you sit back in awareness, you create room to choose a kinder, cleaner frame. That shift softens the body, steadies the breath, and opens access to more connected states like calm and compassion. With even a little distance, you can redirect the narrative instead of getting run by it.
What does the “true self” feel like compared to the thinking mind?
The true self is calm, unafraid, and fully present. It doesn’t spin scenarios, it simply assesses what’s here and responds. The thinking mind is a brilliant tool for preparation and problem-solving, but it’s not meant to run your life 24/7. Use it, then put it back on the shelf and return to being.
Can you give a vivid example of the true self in action?
Picture a house fire: the true self doesn’t narrate, it moves. It checks reality—Can I put this out? Do I get everyone out now?—and acts in the moment. There’s no swirl of “what ifs,” just grounded assessment and motion. That crisp, wordless presence is what we strengthen when we learn to witness our thoughts.
How does living as the witness open the heart?
When mental noise quiets, our natural state—compassion and love—can come forward. Simple practices like mindful breathing or gratitude bring you into the present, and you can literally feel a lightness open in your chest. That’s not a performance; it’s the ego relaxing so your baseline goodness can show. From there, peace isn’t forced… it just reveals itself.
You’ve said even advanced meditators still have thoughts. What’s realistic for the rest of us?
I still have an ego and still get pulled into noise; everyone does. There are minutes where the mind goes wonderfully quiet, and then it pops back in… that’s part of the practice. The point isn’t perfect silence; it’s the skill of returning to awareness again and again. Those repetitions build strength like reps in a gym.
Why do so many people confuse their thoughts with identity?
We were never taught how the mind works; we were trained to perform. So we latch onto labels like “good/bad reader,” “smart/not enough,” and then live under those verdicts. The moment you can say, “I’m more than this label,” the emotion wrapped around it starts to fall away. That shift alone can change a day, a classroom, or a career.
You mentioned helping a child unhook from labels. What did that look like?
It sounded like, “I’m not a good or bad reader, I just read. I’m so much more than a reader.” Saying that out loud dissolves shame and comparison in real time. Without the identity stuck to him, he could be present in class instead of bracing against judgment. It’s proof that this work is teachable, practical, and powerful at any age.
How can someone begin creating separation during meditation?
Start simply: sit upright somewhere quiet, put on headphones, choose a guided track, and give yourself 15 minutes. When your mind wanders—what I call the “squirrel moment”—notice that you’ve wandered and recognize two streams are now present: the meditation and the stray thought. Hold both in awareness for three to five seconds without feeding either. That tiny gap is the doorway to separation; repeat it, and the pathway strengthens.
What does that separation feel like when it “clicks”?
There’s an immediate sense of quiet strength, like the volume knob got turned down inside. The thought loses its grip, sometimes it even “fragments” and falls away when you don’t feed it. What guides you back doesn’t feel like the usual wordy chatter; it’s clearer, calmer, almost like a clean instruction. Once you experience this, you can’t unsee it… the curtain’s been pulled back.
How does repetition turn this into a daily superpower?
Like training for a marathon, capacity builds with reps—even the “messy” sessions count. Over time, you carry the witness into everyday life, so thoughts trigger fewer spikes and pass more quickly. That steadying raises your emotional intelligence because you’re not getting hijacked by every story. The result is more clarity, more choice, and a lot less drag.
You talk about a “monitoring system” for thoughts. What is it?
At day’s end, write down five negative thoughts that hooked you. Then manually reframe each one with compassion and a truer perspective. Do that for a week and your mind starts auto-catching and auto-reframing in real time—it’s like installing a new program. You stay closer to the true self, even in traffic or stressful moments.
Where does forgiveness fit in—especially when we mess up?
Instant forgiveness keeps residue from hardening in your system. Forgive others quickly so you can return to presence, and forgive yourself just as quickly because you’re human. That self-forgiveness isn’t an escape hatch; it’s what lets you learn the lesson and move forward cleanly. From there, reframing thoughts gets much easier.
What’s your view on karma in everyday situations?
What you embody tends to echo back—carry anger and you’ll meet more of it; move with compassion and life usually responds in kind. Most of that loop can be resolved inside you through sincere forgiveness and reckoning. When you release the charge internally, the cycle doesn’t need to repeat. It’s practical, immediate, and within reach.
How did believing your thoughts were “true” shape your earlier life?
It made things pretty miserable because old core beliefs colored everything—work, relationships, self-worth. I worked hard, but a lot of it came from fear of being “found out,” which is exhausting. Recognizing those thoughts as recycled stories—not reality—took the panic out and left the clarity. Effort stayed; fear loosened its grip.
What changed the day you first felt the witness?
The stream of thoughts didn’t stop, but my belief in them did. It felt like watching them on a screen rather than living inside them. From that space, I could reframe, respond, or let go, and that gave me real control. It’s been life-changing for me and for the people who’ve practiced this step.
Can beginners really do this, or do you need to be “good” at meditation first?
Beginners actually have an advantage because frequent mind-wandering gives more chances to catch the gap. You don’t need perfect focus; you need willingness and a clear intention to notice separation. Three to five seconds of true witnessing is a real win. Stack those wins, and the muscle grows.
For someone who feels trapped in negative thoughts today, what’s your message?
Those thoughts are not you—they’re old protective scripts, not present truth. You’ve outgrown them, and the discomfort is the signal to wake up to that growth. Start small: two minutes of practice, one compassionate reframe, one genuine act of forgiveness. Freedom begins the moment you stop believing every thought that crosses your mind.
Where can people learn more about your program?
Visit learntolovebeingyou.com. Everything you need to get started is live, and I’m continually working to improve the experience. The program is $500, and if you truly can’t afford it, send me an email so we can figure out access. The heart of this work is helping people step into the witness within.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
You can learn more about my program and approach at learntolovebeingyou.com. It’s where you’ll find information about the work and the practical tools we’ve been discussing. Spend a little time there and start with whatever speaks to you most—gratitude, breath, or sensory presence. Be sure to also follow the journey on Instagram and Facebook. Begin where you are… one minute of practice counts, and the gap gets easier to find with repetition. That’s where your freedom lives.
Mike, thank you for showing up with so much clarity and care. This was powerful.
Thank you for having me, this was a joy. I appreciate the conversation and can’t wait for what comes next.
