Explore More: The Ignited Life Newsletter
If today’s episode sparked something in you, you’ll love The Ignited Life—our free Substack newsletter created to fuel your growth between episodes.
Each edition delivers:
- Fresh insights on intentional living, resilience, and emotional mastery
- Practical tools like the L.E.N.S. method and micro-habits to ignite change
- Behind-the-scenes reflections from Passion Struck episodes
- Guest wisdom distilled into real-life applications
- Curated resources, quotes, and frameworks to help you live like you matter
Join thousands of high-performers, purpose-seekers, and change-makers who are shifting from autopilot to alignment—one intentional insight at a time.
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The future of sustainable performance isn’t about doing more. It’s about protecting the capacity to be fully present in the things that matter most.
John R. Miles
How to Protect Your Return on Energy and Lead with Greater Impact
In today’s world, performance is praised—but presence is overlooked. That’s a problem.
Because when we talk about burnout, productivity, and peak performance, we almost always ask:
“How much can I get done?”
But the better question is:
“How much energy do I have to give?”
In this episode of Passion Struck, John R. Miles introduces a concept every leader, creator, and high-capacity achiever needs to adopt: Return on Energy (ROE).
It’s a mindset shift that reframes productivity not as a time-management problem—but as an energy-management strategy.
The truth is, most of us aren’t exhausted from what we’re doing. We’re exhausted from how we’re doing it:
- From over-functioning to prove our worth
- From over-identifying with our output
- From overexposure to noise and input
- From over-responsibility for others’ emotions and outcomes
These aren’t just quirks. They’re leaks.
And over time, they quietly erode clarity, creativity, and resilience.
What makes this episode stand out is how John weaves together research from top experts, his personal experience as a former military officer and Fortune 50 executive, and practical frameworks that anyone can apply.
He isn’t just sharing theory—he’s giving listeners a toolkit.
Listeners will walk away with five tactical “energy investments” to integrate into their lives—like building white space into their calendar, practicing emotional co-regulation, and creating weekly rituals that surface clarity before crisis.
What’s more, the episode ends with a personal invitation—not just to optimize, but to realign.
Because Return on Energy isn’t just about getting more done.
It’s about getting the right things done—with less inner resistance and more outer resonance.
This isn’t soft talk.
This is strategy.
And it could be the shift that keeps your fire burning—without burning you out.
In this Episode about ‘Return on Energy’, You’ll Learn:
- Why ROE (Return on Energy) is the real metric for modern leadership
- The four biggest energy leaks: Over-functioning, Over-identification, Overexposure, and Over-responsibility
- How high-functioning depression masks burnout in top performers
- Practical tools for restoring your emotional margin and protecting your energy
- The five essential “energy investments” that recalibrate your focus and clarity
Why Is This Episode About ‘Return on Energy’ a Must-Listen?
Because we’re not just burning out from doing too much—we’re burning out from carrying too much of the wrong things. If you’ve ever found yourself exhausted by other people’s expectations, second-guessing every decision, or wondering why more effort isn’t bringing more ease—this conversation is for you. It offers both a mirror and a map: a chance to see where your energy is leaking, and real tools to start reclaiming it. This is the episode that helps you stop surviving your days—and start leading them with clarity, courage, and capacity.
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STARTER PACKS
Are you new to the show? These Starter Packs are collections of our most popular episodes grouped by topic, and we now have them on Spotify.
You can also browse starter packs for existing listeners to find old favorites. Every week, John interviews everyday heroes from all walks of life. Learn how to subscribe to the show and never miss a new episode or topic.
Like this? Please subscribe and join me on my new YouTube platform for peak performance, life coaching, and personal mastery.
Win Exclusive Passion Struck Merch—Limited-Time Giveaway
I’m excited to announce the launch of the Passion Struck store—designed not just as merchandise, but as a symbol of purpose, intentionality, and the journey toward your best self. To celebrate this milestone, I’m giving away a limited-edition Passion Struck T-shirt and hat exclusively to members of The Ignition Room.
This isn’t just merch—it’s a statement. When you wear Passion Struck gear, you’re reminding yourself—and the world—of the commitment to live intentionally, to embrace your passion, and to keep moving forward even when life gets tough. It’s about embodying the principles we discuss on the show and carrying that energy with you every day.
If you’re already part of The Ignition Room, you’re automatically entered into this special giveaway. If you haven’t joined yet, now is the perfect time to become part of our private community where you get exclusive access to bonus content, behind-the-scenes insights, and early episode releases—plus your chance to win this unique merch.
This is just the beginning of our Passion Struck apparel journey, and I can’t wait for you to be among the first to wear this gear with pride. Ready to take your passion out into the world? Join The Ignition Room today and claim your spot in the giveaway.
👉 Join The Ignition Room now for your chance to win exclusive Passion Struck merch!
RESOURCES FROM THE SHOW “Return on Energy: Rethinking ROI in the Age of Burnout”
Every family member should feel that they matter in order to truly thrive within their relationships.
Please note that some of the links on this page (books, movies, music, etc.) lead to affiliate programs for which The Passion Struck podcast receives compensation. It’s just one of the ways we keep the lights on around here. Thank you so much for being so supportive!
- Radio St. Pete: https://radiostpete.com/
- American Psychological Association (APA) – Resources on resilience and coping: apa.org
- Psychology Today – Articles on mental health, resilience, and personal growth: psychologytoday.com
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Listen to my solo episode on Why Mattering at Work Is the New Metric Leaders Must Track
Catch My Episode with Richard M. Ryan on Exploring the Heart of Human Motivation
Watch my interview with Dr. Chris Palmer on How Brain Energy Improves Mental Health
Can’t miss my episode with Dr. Julia DiGangi on How to Harness the Energy in Your Brain
My solo episode on Does the Concept of Free Will Really Exist, or Is Life Predestined?
About John R. Miles
John R. Miles is a transformative leader, blending military precision with entrepreneurial flair to ignite purpose and intentional living in millions. A former U.S. Navy officer and Fortune 50 executive, John transitioned from the C-suite to become an international bestselling author and host of the globally acclaimed Passion Struck® podcast, which has ranked as the #1 alternative health podcast in over 25 countries.
John writes about the science of behavior change, personal mastery, and purpose-driven leadership, drawing from his extensive research in neuroscience and psychology, plus over 700 interviews with trailblazing experts. His book, Passion Struck: Twelve Powerful Principles to Unlock Your Purpose and Ignite Your Most Intentional Life, has earned accolades, including Best Business Book at the 2024 International Business Awards.
With a mission to inspire others to live with passion and intention, John’s quirky blend of deep insight and approachable wisdom makes him a sought-after voice in leadership and personal development.
Follow John R. Miles On The Socials
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* Gear: https://www.zazzle.com/store/passion_struck/
Learn more about me: https://johnrmiles.com.
Passion Struck aspires to speak to the humanity of people in a way that makes them want to better, live better, and impact the world.
Passion Struck’s mission is to unlock the power of intentionality for the benefit of us all. To create a world where we live better, be better, and impact the world through our unique and powerful content.