How a Sense of Purpose Changes Your Brain, Body, and Future

Mark Hyman

Sep 22, 2025

Episode description

Many people feel caught in worry, fear, and constant striving—chasing achievements yet never feeling truly fulfilled. The restless “monkey mind” jumps from one thing to the next, amplifying stress and turning setbacks into heavy burdens. It doesn’t have to be that way, though. You can move from mindless tasks to a mindful purpose. The shift begins by setting a clear, heartfelt intention rooted in something bigger. When the focus moves from self-gain to contribution, the right people, resources, and opportunities often begin to flow toward you. 

In this episode, Reverend Michael Beckwith, Lynne Twist, Jay Shetty, and I talk about how shifting from fear and self-focus to living with intention, surrender, daily spiritual practices, and a purpose larger than oneself can transform challenges into growth, bring deeper fulfillment, and open unexpected opportunities.

For over 30 years now, Reverend Michael Beckwith has embraced a practical approach to spirituality and has helped people see the benefits of meditation, affirmative prayer, and life visioning, a process he originated. He has spoken at the United Nations, hosted conferences featuring some of the top thinkers and leaders in a variety of industries, and he is also the founder of the Global Association for New Thought. He is a teacher, a speaker, and the author of several books. He has shared his insights on a number of well-known television programs, such as Oprah’s Super Soul Sunday, Dr. Oz, Larry King Live, CNN, Tavis Smiley, and others.

Lynne Twist has spent over 40 years working with more than 100,000 people in 50 countries in the realms of fundraising with integrity, conscious philanthropy, strategic visioning, and cultivating a healthy relationship with money. A renowned author and speaker, she has presented at the United Nations Beijing Women’s Conference, State of the World Forum, Synthesis Dialogues with Dalai Lama, and the Governor’s Conference on California Women. Recognized as a global visionary, Lynne has advised the Desmond Tutu Foundation and the Nobel Women’s Initiative. She co-founded the Pachamama Alliance, a nonprofit empowering Indigenous people of the Amazon rainforest to preserve their lands and culture. From serving with Mother Teresa in Calcutta to aiding refugee camps in Ethiopia and protecting the Amazon, her on-the-ground work has given her profound insight into the social fabric of the world and the defining challenges of our time.

Jay Shetty is a storyteller, podcaster, and former monk. Jay’s vision is to Make Wisdom Go Viral. He is on a mission to share the timeless wisdom of the world in an accessible, relevant, and practical way. Jay has created over 400 viral videos with over 7.5 billion views, and hosts the #1 Health and Wellness podcast in the world, On Purpose.

This episode is brought to you by BIOptimizers.

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Episode description

Many people feel caught in worry, fear, and constant striving—chasing achievements yet never feeling truly fulfilled. The restless “monkey mind” jumps from one thing to the next, amplifying stress and turning setbacks into heavy burdens. It doesn’t have to be that way, though. You can move from mindless tasks to a mindful purpose. The shift begins by setting a clear, heartfelt intention rooted in something bigger. When the focus moves from self-gain to contribution, the right people, resources, and opportunities often begin to flow toward you. 

In this episode, Reverend Michael Beckwith, Lynne Twist, Jay Shetty, and I talk about how shifting from fear and self-focus to living with intention, surrender, daily spiritual practices, and a purpose larger than oneself can transform challenges into growth, bring deeper fulfillment, and open unexpected opportunities.

For over 30 years now, Reverend Michael Beckwith has embraced a practical approach to spirituality and has helped people see the benefits of meditation, affirmative prayer, and life visioning, a process he originated. He has spoken at the United Nations, hosted conferences featuring some of the top thinkers and leaders in a variety of industries, and he is also the founder of the Global Association for New Thought. He is a teacher, a speaker, and the author of several books. He has shared his insights on a number of well-known television programs, such as Oprah’s Super Soul Sunday, Dr. Oz, Larry King Live, CNN, Tavis Smiley, and others.

Lynne Twist has spent over 40 years working with more than 100,000 people in 50 countries in the realms of fundraising with integrity, conscious philanthropy, strategic visioning, and cultivating a healthy relationship with money. A renowned author and speaker, she has presented at the United Nations Beijing Women’s Conference, State of the World Forum, Synthesis Dialogues with Dalai Lama, and the Governor’s Conference on California Women. Recognized as a global visionary, Lynne has advised the Desmond Tutu Foundation and the Nobel Women’s Initiative. She co-founded the Pachamama Alliance, a nonprofit empowering Indigenous people of the Amazon rainforest to preserve their lands and culture. From serving with Mother Teresa in Calcutta to aiding refugee camps in Ethiopia and protecting the Amazon, her on-the-ground work has given her profound insight into the social fabric of the world and the defining challenges of our time.

Jay Shetty is a storyteller, podcaster, and former monk. Jay’s vision is to Make Wisdom Go Viral. He is on a mission to share the timeless wisdom of the world in an accessible, relevant, and practical way. Jay has created over 400 viral videos with over 7.5 billion views, and hosts the #1 Health and Wellness podcast in the world, On Purpose.

This episode is brought to you by BIOptimizers.

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Mindsip insights from this episode:

Expand compassion to include the wealthy

Mother Teresa taught that the "vicious cycle of wealth can be as intractable and as painful as the vicious cycle of poverty," and one should expand their compassion to include the rich and entitled.

Understand monks' emotional resilience to pain

Brain scans of monks show that while they have a high sensory response to physical pain, their brains do not register any emotional pain attached to it.

Appreciate rejection as redirection toward purpose

Instead of viewing rejection with bitterness, one should be grateful as it may be redirecting you closer to your true purpose and self-worth.

Cultivate clear intentions to overcome intention deficit disorder

Many people live in a reactionary mode and suffer from "intention deficit disorder," a lack of clear intention for their life that is bigger than their own personal needs.

Transform wounds into beauty to foster healing

Like a cracked bucket that waters a row of flowers, your wounds and broken parts can be engaged to create beauty and help others, which is the path to true healing.

Utilize psychedelics to decrease domestic violence

A recent scientific study found that men who had used psychedelics in the past were less likely to be violent towards their spouses.

Surrender to enhance growth beyond visualization

A study by the Spindrift Foundation found that praying "thy will be done" (surrender) made seeds grow twice as fast as a group that actively visualized the seeds growing (intention).

Harness community gratitude to support kidney health

A woman's kidneys spontaneously started working after her community was instructed to give thanks for their own working kidneys and pray for hers every time they used the restroom.

Take Magnesium Breakthrough for complete magnesium support

The speaker takes Magnesium Breakthrough by BiOptimizers every night because it is the only supplement with all seven essential forms of magnesium, which are depleted by stress, screens, and sugar.

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© Mindsip 2025 – Made with ❤ in Vilnius