Winning the War Within: Unlocking Elite Performance with Mindset Coach, Ex-Israeli Special Forces, Former Undercover Agent, Itamar Marani

Ever feel like you’re working harder than ever but still not hitting that next level of success? Like no matter how much you push, something inside keeps holding you back? In this episode of The Happy Hustle Podcast I chat with my man Itamar Marani — a world-class performance and mindset coach who’s helped top entrepreneurs, executives, and high achievers break through the internal barriers that keep them stuck.Itamar’s got a fascinating background — from serving in the Israeli Special Forces to working as a federal agent, and now coaching elite performers across the globe. His new book, Elite Performance, dives deep into what it really takes to achieve audacious goals — not by doing more, but by winning the war within. In this conversation, we unpack how to create psychological freedom, build guardrails to protect what matters most, and remove the “performance anchors” that quietly weigh us down.One of the biggest truths Itamar drops in this episode is that clarity creates freedom. When you know exactly what you want not what others expect of you , you can channel your energy toward what truly matters. He also explains how humility plays a powerful role in success. Sometimes, we hold on to toxic relationships, outdated beliefs, or unnecessary responsibilities out of guilt or pride. But real growth happens when we have the courage to let go of what no longer serves us.We also talk about the balance between ambition and peace. So many people dull their drive because they’re afraid of the sacrifices success might demand. But Itamar flips that mindset. He shares how putting up the right guardrails boundaries that protect your health, relationships, and well-being that actually gives you the permission to go all in without fear. Think of it like bowling with bumpers — you can give it everything you’ve got, knowing you won’t crash into the gutter.Another key takeaway: performance = skill + pressure management. Most people think they need to work harder, but Itamar reminds us that high performance often comes down to how well you handle internal pressure. If you can learn to modulate that stress — to breathe, recalibrate, and stay composed under fire — you can achieve more with less effort and enjoy the process along the way.If you’ve ever felt torn between chasing your dreams and staying grounded, this episode is your roadmap. It’s about reclaiming your ambition without losing your peace.What does Happy Hustlin means to you?Sustainable that you get to wake up again, there's obviously challenging days, but you get to say when you're 70 when you're 80, I did things the right way. Connect with Cary!https://www.instagram.com/caryjack/https://www.facebook.com/SirCaryJackhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/cary-jack-kendzior/https://twitter.com/thehappyhustlehttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFDNsD59tLxv2JfEuSsNMOQ/featured Get a free copy of his new book, The Happy Hustle, 10 Alignments to Avoid Burnout & Achieve Blissful Balance https://www.thehappyhustle.com/bookSign up for The Journey: 10 Days To Become a Happy Hustler Online Coursehttps://thehappyhustle.com/thejourney/Apply to the Montana Mastermind Epic Camping Adventurehttps://thehappyhustle.com/mastermind/“It’s time to Happy Hustle, a blissfully balanced life you love, full of passion, purpose, and positive impact!”Episode Sponsors:If you’re feeling stressed, not sleeping great, or your energy’s been kinda meh lately—let me put you on to something that’s been a total game-changer for me: Magnesium Breakthrough by BiOptimizers. This ain’t your average magnesium—it’s got all 7 essential forms that your body actually needs to chill out, sleep deeper, and feel more balanced. I take it every night and legit notice the difference the next day. No more waking up groggy or tossing and turning all nightIf you're ready to sleep like a baby, calm your nervous system, and optimize your recovery, go grab yours now at bioptimizers.com/happy and use code HAPPY10 for 10% OFF.99 Designs- Need a killer logo, stunning website, or next-level brand design?Stop DIY-ing and start delegating like a boss with 99designs by Vista! Neurable- If you’re looking to level up your focus, productivity, and mental well-being all at once, do yourself a favor and check out Neurable. You get a special hookup—just use the code HAPPY at checkout and get $100 off.