On this episode of the Encourage Mindset Podcast, host Ethan Van De Hey sits down with Chris Whited — a self-described farm boy turned sales leader and insurance industry professional — for an honest conversation about building self-confidence, developing winning habits, and what it truly means to win the future one step at a time.
Watch the Full Episode with Chris Whited
From Farm Boy to Sales Leader
Chris Whited grew up on a farm — both of his grandfathers farmed in the same county. Growing up, he only had one dream: to be a father to a little girl. He got that wish, and his daughter is now 19 and in college. But as Chris shares with Ethan, raising a daughter meant he needed to figure out how to earn a living. He never really planned a career path until he met the man who is now his business partner, who believed Chris had a natural gift for sales.
That meeting changed everything. Chris leaned into his strengths and built a career in the insurance and financial services industry. His trajectory from small-town farm life to business leadership is a testament to what happens when someone recognizes your potential — and you have the courage to act on it.
The Power of Encouraging Others
A central theme in this episode is Chris’s commitment to encouraging others. He explains to Ethan that encouragement is not about empty motivation — it is about genuinely investing in people and believing in what they can become. Chris talks about how the people around him have shaped who he is, and how he now strives to do the same for others in his professional and personal life.
Chris emphasizes that real encouragement often looks like simply being present and listening. He references his friend David Waldo’s book The Art of the Question — available on Amazon — as a resource he regularly recommends for anyone wanting to become a better listener. According to Chris, the key to encouraging others starts with asking the right questions and truly hearing the answers, rather than assuming you already know what someone needs.
Building Self-Confidence One Step at a Time
Ethan and Chris dig deep into the topic of self-confidence. Chris is candid about the fact that confidence is not something you either have or you don’t — it is built through repetition, preparation, and consistently showing up. He describes his own daily routines, including working out six days a week, as non-negotiable habits that fuel both his physical and mental health.
Chris explains that what you put in your mind is what you get out of your mind. He is intentional about his physical health so that he can be present for his daughter, sustain the intensity of his work, and keep performing at a high level. For Chris, self-confidence is a byproduct of discipline — not the other way around.
Setting Goals Across Every Area of Life
One of the most practical parts of the conversation is when Chris breaks down how he approaches goal-setting. He does not just set career or financial goals. He sets goals across every area of his life — physical fitness, emotional wellbeing, relationships, financial health, and vocational growth. He talks about monitoring the financial landscape, understanding his industry, and making sure he is emotionally prepared to make smart decisions in an environment of rising costs and inflation.
Ethan highlights how refreshing it is to hear someone talk about goals holistically rather than just focusing on one metric of success. Chris agrees, noting that when you take care of every area of your life, the professional results follow naturally.
The Art of Listening and Asking Better Questions
Chris delivers one of the most memorable moments of the episode when he talks about the lost art of listening. He tells Ethan that learning to listen is one of the most powerful habits anyone can develop. He warns against the tendency that comes with education and experience — thinking you have all the answers. Chris pushes back on that, saying you need to realize you are not the smartest person in the room if you want to truly grow.
He breaks it down practically: clear your mind, ask thoughtful questions, and pay attention to what is behind someone’s answers. Chris believes this one skill — real listening — can transform your relationships, your career, and your ability to lead others. He quotes Henry Ford’s famous insight about innovation: if you only ask people what they want, they will tell you they want a faster horse. True leadership comes from listening deeper than the surface.
Why This Episode Matters
Chris Whited’s conversation with Ethan Van De Hey is the kind of episode that rewards repeat listening. Whether you are a young professional figuring out your path, a parent balancing ambition with family, or a leader looking to invest more deeply in the people around you, this episode delivers real substance. Chris does not deal in clichés — he shares the habits, mindset shifts, and daily practices that have shaped his life and career.
If you want to win the future one step at a time, start by listening, encouraging others, building your self-confidence through discipline, and setting goals that cover your whole life — not just your paycheck.
Connect with the Encourage Mindset Podcast
The Encourage Mindset Podcast is hosted by Ethan Van De Hey and brings together leaders, entrepreneurs, and high-performers who share their real stories and strategies for growth. Subscribe on YouTube to catch every new episode.
Related Episodes You Might Enjoy
If you enjoyed this conversation, check out these related episodes from the Encourage Mindset Podcast:
- Dr. Lucy Johnson: Small Wins, Big Results
- Tim Tonella: Stop Wasting Time: How Winners Build Real Success
- Merrick Calmer: You Pay Now In Sweat Or Later In Regret
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