Have you ever wondered how scammers succeed? What tempts people to fall into their traps, and how can we protect ourselves? Today, I’m excited to dive into this topic with my incredible friend, mentor, and business coach, Mike Johnston. This is part one of a very special three-part series on scams—a topic that’s deeply personal for me, because I was scammed.
This series was recorded months ago. At the time, I wasn’t even sure I had been scammed. A whirlwind of revelations followed, including legal proceedings involving the individual who scammed me, someone operating under the names Tiffany Black or Tiffany Bentley. Authorities now believe many other victims have yet to come forward. If you think this sounds familiar or know you’ve been affected, please contact the Tweed Heads Police Station in Australia to share your story. Scammers thrive on silence, and by speaking out, we can prevent others from becoming victims.
In this episode, Mike and I share our personal experiences with scams, along with valuable insights and strategies for protecting yourself. We’ve also included updates on how to spot common scams and ways to avoid emotional traps.
If you have been a victim too, let me remind you: it’s not your fault and you are not alone. Scammers are skilled at making you feel to blame. And to those who may be engaging in harmful practices, I urge you to reconsider, the ripple effects of your actions are far-reaching.
So grab a cup of tea or coffee, settle in, and enjoy this candid conversation. Let’s learn, grow, and move forward together. Without further ado, here’s Mike Johnston.
We’ll be talking about:
➡ [0:00] Introduction
➡ [7:38] I got scammed, again.
➡ [11:02] Scamming in business
➡ [12:20] Mike’s experience with a scammer
➡ [22:21] Other industries are susceptible to scammers
➡ [24:04] My own experience with a scammer
➡ [28:29] Too good to be true, a key lesson
➡ [38:26] Being open to a scam
➡ [42:50] Scamming is becoming easier for scammers
➡ [47:20] The things that really charge you up are things that you don’t accept about yourself
➡ [50:46] It’s not who you are, it’s who you perceive you are
➡ [53:56] What are you learning from the scam
➡ [57:17] Creating boundaries
➡ [1:03:59] Mike’s message
➡ [1:07:41] Final thoughts
Mike Johnston is a success architect, intervention strategist, and challenger of the status quo. He has worked with leadership teams at major Australian companies, including Chandler Macleod, NuComm International, and Canva, turning mindset strategies into measurable outcomes.
Over his career, Mike has partnered with more than 100 businesses, collectively generating over $500 million in profits. His clients often achieve growth between 30% and 250%, with many exceeding these milestones. A passionate advocate for financial literacy, Mike’s strategies and insights have positively impacted over 1,000 individuals across a variety of industries.
Known for simplifying complex business challenges, Mike develops practical, step-by-step solutions to drive success. His disciplined, results-oriented approach draws from his background in sports, focusing on fundamentals and deliberate practice.
Mike has trained with global business influencers like Tony Robbins, Jay Abraham, Chet Holmes, Karl Bryan, and Keith Cunningham. He has also worked with top Canadian sports coaches, including Roger Neilson, Mac McLean, and Dave Smart, sharpening his leadership skills.
Recognised as one of Perth’s top business influencers by Influence Digest, Mike’s latest venture, Elevate Rise, delivers world-class business support through an immersive community, helping organisations achieve transformational growth.
Resources
If you believe that you’ve been scammed by Tiffany Black or Tiffany Bentley, please contact Tweed Heads Police Station – https://www.police.nsw.gov.au/about_us/regions_commands_districts/northern_region/tweed-byron/tweed_heads_police_station
Book Recommendations:
➡ The Lie Detection Book by William J Majeski: https://bit.ly/3W5xAHI
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➡ Elevate Rise website: www.elevaterise.com.au
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