Tim Mann was raised in a blue-collar family in western New York, today’s guest turned discipline, faith, and competition into a 40+ year career in financial services leadership. A former college football player at SUNY Plattsburgh, he went on to serve as Complex Director for Truist Investment Services, leading the firm’s most prolific team of 42 client-focused advisors—producing $70M+ in annual revenue and managing $11B+ in assets. After surviving a life-threatening car accident in 2004 that forced him to relearn how to walk and speak, he redefined his approach to leadership. He now serves on the board of Folds of Honor, supporting educational scholarships for the families of fallen and disabled service members and first responders.

2:52 Building a 40-year career leading elite financial advisors

7:41 Early lessons from sports, competition, and mental toughness

11:15 Getting started in financial services and sales

17:30 The moment a life-threatening car accident changed everything

20:55 A month-long coma and the fight to survive

28:31 Learning to walk and talk again after catastrophic injuries

31:23 The slow grind of rebuilding strength and confidence

38:40 Leadership lessons from building high-performing advisor teams

45:10 Why compliance excellence starts with great hiring

52:30 Purpose, service, and giving back through Folds of Honor

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Dr. Rob Bell

Michael Ball was raised in northern Virginia — a three-sport athlete and economics graduate from Radford University, where he also played varsity tennis. He began in banking, became a financial advisor in 1983, opened the Manassas office for Scott & Stringfellow, and advanced into senior leadership roles through its evolution into BB&T and Truist Wealth. His proudest leadership work? Building elite advisors through the “Topgun” development program — treating his team like clients. He now leads Ball Consulting, helping advisors and firms grow with clarity and discipline.

3:15 Injury, Adversity & Comeback Mindset

5:38 Mentorship & Career Breakthrough

7:00 Culture, Leadership & Client-First Success

11:18 Black Swan Events & Market Resilience

13:50 Elite Advisors & Process-Driven Performance

15:25 Reading Habits of High Performers

19:38 Reflection of Your Mental State

23:54 Strategic Growth & Long-Term Success

29:42 Saving, Investing & Wealth Discipline

34:23 “Eating The Seed Corn” & Short-Term Thinking

38:00 What Should I Not Be Doing?

Don't forget you can also follow Dr. Rob Bell on Twitter or Instagram!

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Dr. Rob Bell

Christi Dee is an author and endurance athlete behind This Blonde Runs. She has completed over 42 marathons and 17 ultramarathons. She shares powerful insights on resilience and mental toughness drawn from years of pushing physical and mental limits. Christi explores how discipline, perseverance, and mindset fuel growth in sport and in life.

1:12 Christi’s background: 42+ marathons, 17 ultras, and children’s books

3:58 Early running lessons: patience, consistency, and identity

6:44 Coaching philosophy: sustainability over shortcuts

10:22 Mental toughness when training gets monotonous

15:08 Prairie on Fire expectations vs reality

21:18 Early physical breakdown and real-time problem solving

27:32 Making the call to stop: strength, not weakness

33:48 Separating self-worth from race outcomes

38:56 Redefining success after disappointment

44:02 Carrying lessons forward: resilience, perspective, and return mindset

Don't forget you can also follow Dr. Rob Bell on Twitter or Instagram!

Follow At:

• X @drrobbell
• Instagram @drrobbell

Download Your Daily Focus Map!

https://drrobbell.com/

If you enjoyed this episode on Mental Toughness, please subscribe and leave a review!

Dr. Rob Bell