Uploaded September 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
At nine, Michael Ostrolenk refused a psychiatrist’s quick-fix, walked out, and followed a different map: guided imagery, biofeedback, meditation, and martial arts. That choice shaped everything. Years later, a brutal one-two of loss during an MBA program forced a pivot into transpersonal and somatic psychology, coaching, and a decade building programs with SEALFIT. In this conversation, Michael traces the line from a mislabeled “learning disabled” kid to a clinician and coach who helps people regulate their nervous systems, deepen relationships, and live with agency.
We talk about:
- Why the industrial school model rewards compliance, and how unschooling or democratic free schools can cultivate curiosity.
- When to consider sleep, nutrition, movement, family dynamics, and environment before reaching for Ritalin or Concerta, plus the limited, tactical role stimulants might play for adults.
- AM and PM rituals that work: sleep hygiene, 5-7 breathing to calm, box breathing to focus, light movement, gratitude.
- How somatic work unfreezes anger or sadness, and how to measure change using first, second, and third person feedback.
- What mindfulness actually is: the trained witness that turns reactivity into choice.
Thank you for listening.
*SHOW LINKS:*
Subscribe: youtube.com/@JeffreyPvanLeeuwen
Support the Show: patreon.com/JeffreyPvanLeeuwen
Listen on Apple Podcast: apple.co/4lLpEXA
Listen on Spotify: spoti.fi/42kcOYy
Follow on X: https://x.com/RealJvanLeeuwen
Follow on Reddit: reddit.com/r/jeffreypvanleeuwen
Follow on Instagram: instagram.com/jeffreypvanleeuwen
Follow on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jeffreypvanleeuwen
YouTube Playlist: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOv56NTjNAeK7cUVamIPioSCsr06-vSGG
*OUTLINE:*
00:00 Introduction
01:43 Who Is Michael Ostrolenk?
04:45 Questioning Education and Early Struggles
08:47 Alternative Healing and Martial Arts at Age Nine
11:12 Rethinking Education for Children
17:07 Holistic Approaches for Parents
20:51 Parenting, Pressure, and the 80/20 Rule
23:34 Perspectives on Ritalin and Concerta
29:26 Creativity, School, and Medication
33:36 Origins of the Industrial Education System
42:02 Turning Point: From MBA to Psychology
47:06 Exploring Transpersonal Psychology
52:46 Psychedelics, Therapy, and Consciousness
54:07 Understanding Mind–Body Connection
01:00:06 Working With Couples and Emotions
01:11:59 Practical Habits for Sleep, Diet, and Movement
01:17:45 Breathing and Guided Meditation for Sleep
01:23:56 Morning Rituals and Preparation Practices
01:28:50 Tracking Progress and Measuring Change
01:33:59 Mindfulness vs. Consciousness
01:39:01 What Lack of Mindfulness Looks Like
01:45:40 Does Mindfulness Make Life More Frustrating?
01:48:09 Agreements, Relationships, and Appreciation
01:58:40 Final Thoughts
*MICHAEL OSTROLENK LINKS:*
Michael's Youtube Channel: youtube.com/@michaeldostrolenk/videos
Michael's LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/michael-ostrolenk-ma-mft-324665
Michael's Instagram: instagram.com/mostrolenk
Michael's X: https://x.com/mostrolenk
*CONTACT LINKS:*
To come on the podcast, share feedback, ask a question, or reach out for any reason, visit: podcast.jeffreyvanleeuwen.com/p/contact
This episode has been co-produced by Kate van Leeuwen.
At nine, Michael Ostrolenk refused a psychiatrist’s quick-fix, walked out, and followed a different map: guided imagery, biofeedback, meditation, and martial arts. That choice shaped everything. Years later, a brutal one-two of loss during an MBA program forced a pivot into transpersonal and somatic psychology, coaching, and a decade building programs with SEALFIT. In this conversation, Michael traces the line from a mislabeled “learning disabled” kid to a clinician and coach who helps people regulate their nervous systems, deepen relationships, and live with agency.
We talk about:
- Why the industrial school model rewards compliance, and how unschooling or democratic free schools can cultivate curiosity.
- When to consider sleep, nutrition, movement, family dynamics, and environment before reaching for Ritalin or Concerta, plus the limited, tactical role stimulants might play for adults.
- AM and PM rituals that work: sleep hygiene, 5-7 breathing to calm, box breathing to focus, light movement, gratitude.
- How somatic work unfreezes anger or sadness, and how to measure change using first, second, and third person feedback.
- What mindfulness actually is: the trained witness that turns reactivity into choice.
Thank you for listening.
*SHOW LINKS:*
Subscribe: youtube.com/@JeffreyPvanLeeuwen
Support the Show: patreon.com/JeffreyPvanLeeuwen
Listen on Apple Podcast: apple.co/4lLpEXA
Listen on Spotify: spoti.fi/42kcOYy
Follow on X: https://x.com/RealJvanLeeuwen
Follow on Reddit: reddit.com/r/jeffreypvanleeuwen
Follow on Instagram: instagram.com/jeffreypvanleeuwen
Follow on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jeffreypvanleeuwen
YouTube Playlist: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOv56NTjNAeK7cUVamIPioSCsr06-vSGG
*OUTLINE:*
00:00 Introduction
01:43 Who Is Michael Ostrolenk?
04:45 Questioning Education and Early Struggles
08:47 Alternative Healing and Martial Arts at Age Nine
11:12 Rethinking Education for Children
17:07 Holistic Approaches for Parents
20:51 Parenting, Pressure, and the 80/20 Rule
23:34 Perspectives on Ritalin and Concerta
29:26 Creativity, School, and Medication
33:36 Origins of the Industrial Education System
42:02 Turning Point: From MBA to Psychology
47:06 Exploring Transpersonal Psychology
52:46 Psychedelics, Therapy, and Consciousness
54:07 Understanding Mind–Body Connection
01:00:06 Working With Couples and Emotions
01:11:59 Practical Habits for Sleep, Diet, and Movement
01:17:45 Breathing and Guided Meditation for Sleep
01:23:56 Morning Rituals and Preparation Practices
01:28:50 Tracking Progress and Measuring Change
01:33:59 Mindfulness vs. Consciousness
01:39:01 What Lack of Mindfulness Looks Like
01:45:40 Does Mindfulness Make Life More Frustrating?
01:48:09 Agreements, Relationships, and Appreciation
01:58:40 Final Thoughts
*MICHAEL OSTROLENK LINKS:*
Michael's Youtube Channel: youtube.com/@michaeldostrolenk/videos
Michael's LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/michael-ostrolenk-ma-mft-324665
Michael's Instagram: instagram.com/mostrolenk
Michael's X: https://x.com/mostrolenk
*CONTACT LINKS:*
To come on the podcast, share feedback, ask a question, or reach out for any reason, visit: podcast.jeffreyvanleeuwen.com/p/contact
This episode has been co-produced by Kate van Leeuwen.
