From Childhood Trauma to Building High-Performance Leaders | Mick Hunt | E141

At just 10 years old, Mick Hunt made a promise that would shape the rest of his life. Growing up in a home marked by abuse, Mick stepped into a role no child should ever have to carry. He became the protector, the emotional anchor, and the one who believed he could change his family’s future. That moment didn’t just force him to grow up fast. It forged a lifelong mission around leadership, accountability, and purpose. In this episode, Mick joins Ilana to share the raw story behind that promise, how it shaped his drive to build businesses and high-performing teams, and why leadership starts with something deeper than your “why.” Mick Hunt is a leadership coach, entrepreneur, and speaker known for helping ambitious individuals unlock their full potential. He works with leaders who want to grow their influence, scale their thinking, and build companies and teams that people genuinely believe in and follow. In this episode, Ilana and Mick will discuss: (00:00) Introduction (02:14) How a Traumatic Childhood Built Mick’s Drive (08:48) The Childhood Promise That Defined His Life (10:26) Entrepreneurial Beginnings and Challenges (16:36) His Passion for Building High-Performing Teams (17:14) Why Your ‘Because’ Beats Your ‘Why’ (21:50) The “What If I Fail” Mindset (27:46) Understanding The MICK Factor (30:42) Mick’s Book: How to Be a Good Leader (36:09) The Future of Leadership and Staying Relevant (38:53) The Value of Mentorship (42:28) Daily Practices for Success Mick Hunt is a USA Today bestselling author, international speaker, and leadership expert known for his impact in modern leadership and emotional intelligence. He is the host of the highly rated Mick Unplugged podcast and the author of How to Be a Good Leader When You’ve Never Had One, a modern leadership guide with hands-on insights and actionable frameworks to help you lead with transparency, resilience, and influence. Connect with Mick: Mick’s Website: https://mickhuntofficial.com/ Mick’s LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mickhunt Resources Mentioned: Mick’s Book, How to Be a Good Leader When You've Never had One: The Blueprint for Modern Leadership: http://amazon.com/Good-Leader-When-Youve-Never/dp/1394357958 Mick’s Podcast, Mick Unplugged: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mick-unplugged/id1731755953 Leap Academy: LeapCon is the #1 Conference for Reinvention, Leadership & Career — a powerful 3‑day experience designed to help you unlock what’s next in your career and life. 📍 San Jose, CA 📅 Feb 26–28, 2025 If you’re ready to step into clarity, confidence, and bold action, this is your moment. 👉 Grab your ticket before doors close at leapacademy.com/leapcon