09: Mastering Flow - Diego Ugalde
Former Navy SEAL, Conscious Leadership Advocate, and Flow State Expert
Diego Ugalde’s journey from Navy SEAL to consciousness coach is a testament to the power of transformation. After 15 years of service, three combat tours in Iraq, and over 250 advanced special operations missions, Diego took on a new mission: mastering the mind and finding his true self. Today, through his work with The Trident Approach and Warriorside, Diego helps individuals and teams connect with elevated states of consciousness, achieve peak performance, and rediscover purpose. His philosophy is rooted in unlocking the flow state—a mental space where clarity, focus, and creativity thrive.
On the podcast, Diego shared how we can transcend overthinking, embrace stillness, and access flow to find true strength. His insights challenged the traditional “just push harder” mindset, advocating instead for a more holistic approach to mental resilience and self-discovery.
The Problem with Overthinking
Diego emphasized a fundamental truth: You can’t think your way out of overthinking. Many of us approach problems using the same thought patterns that created them, endlessly cycling through worries, doubts, and self-judgment. As Diego explained, “The only way to stop overthinking is to go beyond the thinking mind.”
He quoted Einstein to drive the point home: “You can’t solve a problem using the same level of thinking that created it.” For Diego, the key to breaking free lies in reaching elevated states of consciousness where you become the observer of your thoughts, rather than being consumed by them.
This shift requires stepping out of the constant chatter of the mind and into the present moment. Diego calls this the essence of flow—a state where overthinking dissolves, and clarity and purpose emerge.
Accessing Flow and Elevated States
Diego shared several tools and practices for accessing the flow state, all of which help bypass the overactive mind and reconnect with a deeper sense of self:
Meditation – Regular meditation helps quiet the mind and trains you to observe thoughts without attaching to them.
Breathwork – Techniques like holotropic breathing can bring you into a flow state without external aids, helping you connect with stillness and presence.
Sensory Deprivation – Float tanks create an environment where external stimuli are removed, allowing the mind to reset.
Psychedelics (Under Professional Guidance) – Diego credits psychedelic therapy as a powerful tool for exploring consciousness and overcoming mental barriers.
Vision Quests and Sweat Lodges – Traditional practices offer profound opportunities for self-reflection and growth.
While these tools may vary, the goal is the same: to break free from the mind’s constant chatter and reconnect with a state of flow, where true growth and resilience occur.
Redefining Strength: Pain as a Path to Growth
Diego also spoke about the importance of embracing discomfort and pain as part of the journey. He explained that many people approach self-improvement from a place of self-judgment, punishing themselves into change rather than growing from a place of acceptance.
“You can lose weight by telling yourself, ‘I suck, I suck, I suck,’ but that pain doesn’t go away—it just transfers somewhere else,” he said. “The real growth comes when you accept the pain of who you are, embrace it, and use it to become stronger.”
Diego calls this transcendence—the process of moving through pain to find strength and stillness on the other side. It’s about facing discomfort with courage and compassion, rather than trying to escape it.
The Illusion of Knowledge
A major part of Diego’s philosophy is recognizing the limits of the mind. Many people define their value by how much they know, clinging to knowledge as a marker of self-worth. But Diego challenges this belief:
“We think knowledge is power, but the truth is we don’t know anything. Real power comes from connecting with the self, not from what you know or don’t know.”
This perspective is particularly relevant in today’s culture, where we’re taught to solve problems by learning more or working harder. Diego’s approach flips this narrative, encouraging us to let go of the illusion of control and step into the flow of simply being.
Lesson Learned:
Diego’s lesson is a profound reminder that true strength lies in connection—not with external achievements or knowledge, but with the self. To stop overthinking and access flow, we must go beyond the thinking mind and embrace practices that bring us into stillness and presence.
By letting go of self-judgment, embracing discomfort, and exploring elevated states of consciousness, we open the door to resilience, clarity, and purpose. Diego’s approach is a powerful antidote to the overthinking, overworking culture we live in today.
Takeaway for You:
Try one of Diego’s tools this week to step into flow:
Meditate – Even five minutes a day can help quiet the mind.
Practice Breathwork – Look into simple techniques like box breathing to reset your focus.
Embrace Discomfort – Instead of avoiding challenges, lean into them with compassion.
Remember, you can’t think your way out of overthinking. Let go, step into the present, and allow yourself to flow. True growth happens when we stop trying to control everything and simply be.
Your post reminds me of the distilled version which I keep with me to accomplish the same: “To the mind that is still the whole universe surrenders.” Thank you for the post.
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for the comment.