Jens Nielsen shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Jens, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
Mornings are sacred for me — they set the tone for everything that follows. I’m usually up early, before the day starts to pull in a dozen directions. Those first 90 minutes are all about taking care of my body, mind, and growth.
I start with movement — stretching, yoga, or strength training — to wake up my body and clear my head. It’s my way of getting grounded before the world wakes up.
Then I shift to mindset. I use Positive Intelligence practices to tune my thoughts toward gratitude and possibility. It helps me stay calm, present, and focused — even when life gets busy.
Finally, I feed my growth. I’ll read a few pages of a book or listen to something that expands my perspective, especially around leadership or business.
By the time I’m ready to start the workday, I’ve already invested in myself — physically, mentally, and emotionally. It’s a rhythm that keeps me centered and ready for whatever the day brings.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Jens Nielsen — a Danish-born entrepreneur, real estate investor, and Certified High-Performance Coach based in Santa Fe, New Mexico. After spending nearly three decades in the IT and telecom world, I realized that professional success doesn’t always equal personal fulfillment. That realization sent me on a new path — one focused on growth, purpose, and helping others create meaningful success from the inside out.
Today, as a coach, I work with entrepreneurs, business owners, and high-achieving professionals who want to perform at a higher level without burning out. My approach combines practical business experience with mindset and performance tools drawn from Positive Intelligence and High Performance Habits.
What makes my work unique is the balance between strategy and ease, helping clients grow their businesses and careers while also strengthening their mindset, energy, and clarity. I believe success should feel both profitable and peaceful — and that’s the foundation of everything I teach.
Right now, I’m expanding my programs to include small-group masterminds and leadership intensives that help people build not just better businesses, but better lives.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
When I first moved to the U.S., I had a boss who completely changed the trajectory of my life. At the time, I was still finding my footing — adjusting to a new country, a new culture, and trying to figure out where I fit in. He saw a much higher potential in me than I saw in myself.
He encouraged me to go to college, to push beyond what felt comfortable, and to build the skills I’d need to succeed here. With his support, I went on to earn both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in computer science — something I might never have pursued without his belief in me.
That experience taught me the power of someone seeing your potential before you do. It shaped how I lead and coach today — helping others recognize their own strengths, build confidence, and step into the bigger version of who they can become.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
In 2018, I was mountain biking near Grand Junction, Colorado, when a moment of distraction changed everything. I hit a rock, went over the handlebars, and woke up in the ICU with a lacerated kidney and a fractured vertebra. I spent five days in the hospital — and a lot more time reflecting afterward.
That experience taught me something success never could: the importance of slowing down. I had spent years chasing goals and pushing limits — in my career, in racing, in life — but I hadn’t stopped to ask whether it all truly mattered. Lying there, I realized that life isn’t about how much we achieve; it’s about how deeply we live, love, and contribute.
That moment reshaped my entire approach to life and work. It reminded me that our greatest growth often comes not from achievement, but from adversity — and that meaning comes from choosing to matter, every single day.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Where are smart people getting it totally wrong today?
I think a lot of smart, driven people — myself included, at one point — make the mistake of chasing happiness through achievement. We believe that once we hit the next milestone, earn more, or reach a certain level of success, then we’ll finally feel fulfilled.
But happiness doesn’t live out there somewhere in the future — it’s only available right now, in this moment. When we stop postponing joy and start appreciating what’s here, everything changes. We make better decisions, we lead with more clarity, and we find a natural sense of ease and flow that no external success can match.
The irony is that when we stop chasing happiness and start living it, success tends to follow.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace when I’m serving others — when I’m helping someone find more ease, clarity, and flow in their life. There’s something deeply fulfilling about watching a person shift from stress and self-doubt to confidence and calm.
In those moments, I’m reminded why I do what I do. It’s not about achievement or recognition; it’s about making a difference in someone’s day, helping them see new possibilities, and giving them the tools to create a life that feels lighter and more aligned.
That sense of service — helping others grow while staying grounded myself — is where I find my peace.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jensnielsen.us/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jens-nielsen-multi-family-real-estate-coach/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jens.nielsen.5243
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@JensNielsenCoaching
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