Surviving the Side Hustle

What happens when you achieve the life you were told to want… and realize it doesn’t actually feel like yours?This week’s conversation with Florian Kemmerich, founder of On Vocation, explores a quiet but powerful truth many high performers face: success doesn’t always equal fulfillment. This episode isn’t about quitting your job or blowing up your life — it’s about choosing your life consciously instead of inheriting it unconsciously.Most high performers aren’t failing — they’re functioning.They’re capable, respected, productive, and doing “everything right.” And that’s exactly why the deeper questions get postponed. Education and career paths teach us how to make a living, but rarely ask:What do I actually care about?What feels meaningful to contribute?What kind of life would I choose if I wasn’t responding to expectations?That gap doesn’t show up immediately. It shows up later as burnout, golden handcuffs, quiet dissatisfaction, or the feeling of being busy all day but disconnected from yourself.As Florian put it:“I had been the absent subject of my own education.”Florian introduces the idea of vocation — not as a title or outcome, but as alignment.A vocation isn’t about status or external validation. It’s about dedicating your skills in service of something greater than yourself.The key distinction he makes:Imagination is externally driven (money, recognition, approval).Intuition is internally driven (service, responsibility, meaning).You don’t have to abandon your experience to follow your vocation.Vocation answers why you care.Your skill set answers how you contribute.Avoiding these questions doesn’t make them disappear — it delays them.The longer you delay conscious choice, the higher the cost:Over-identification with money or statusQuiet regretFeeling like you never really chose your lifeAs Florian said:“Work becomes exhausting when it’s disconnected from who you are.”This episode aligns directly with Prime Principle: Clarity.Clarity isn’t about having all the answers — it’s about asking better questions and acting intentionally instead of reactively.If this episode resonated, this is exactly the work we do inside Prime Performance Coaching and the Momentum Mastermind:Clarifying who you are becomingAligning effort with intentionTurning awareness into momentumDesigning a life and business that actually fits youYou don’t need to abandon your life — you need to author it.To dive deeper into Florian’s work:📘 Book: On Vocation – Aligning Purpose with Profession🌍 Website: on-vocation.comFlorian also has upcoming books on Purpose & Business and Purpose & Capital, along with future workshops and a gamified platform.Final ThoughtYou don’t need to figure everything out today.But you do need the courage to ask the question honestly:Am I living my life — or just responding to expectations?As always:Reflect honestly. Choose intentionally.And keep surviving the side hustle.

What happens when you achieve the life you were told to want… and realize it isn’t yours?In this episode of Surviving the Side Hustle, Rob sits down with Florian Kemmerich — founder of On Vocation, author, investor, and global thought leader — to explore what it truly means to align your work with who you are.At just 33 years old, Florian walked away from a high-level corporate career, a marriage, and a version of “success” that looked good on paper but felt empty in real life. What followed was a deep personal reckoning that led him to ask a question most people avoid:Am I living my life — or just responding to expectations?This conversation is a powerful invitation for anyone who feels successful, capable, and busy… yet quietly disconnected from meaning.🧭 The Difference Between a Job and a VocationFlorian shares that most education systems teach us how to make a living, not how to live a life. We learn skills, roles, and expectations — but rarely pause to ask what we are actually here to contribute.That gap eventually shows up as:Midlife crisesBurnoutDivorceThe “golden handcuffs” feelingOr the quiet regret of “I was too busy to live.”Despite external success, Florian realized he was hiding behind competence, achievement, and identity. A coaching process helped him see that beneath the armor was an unexpressed inner calling — something ignored since childhood.His realization:“I had been the absent subject of my own education.”⚖️ Imagination vs. IntuitionOne of the most powerful distinctions in this episode is the difference between:Externally driven imagination (fame, money, approval)Internally driven intuition (service, contribution, meaning)A vocation isn’t about titles or outcomes — it’s about dedicating your skills in service of something greater than yourself.🧩 Vocation + Skill Set (Not One or the Other)You don’t need to burn your life down or abandon your experience. Florian emphasizes that vocation and skill set must work together.Just like Rob’s transition from strength & conditioning into performance coaching, your skills transfer — the context changes.Vocation answers:Why do I care?Skill set answers:How do I contribute?🛠️ The 7-Step “Vocating” FrameworkFlorian developed a practical, repeatable process to help people:Cut through noiseIdentify their vocationDefine a theory of changeChoose where to apply itBuild stamina & perseveranceMeasure impactDesign a meaningful professional pathThis framework now lives in his book On Vocation, with more books and a gamified platform on the way.📚 Learn More from Florian🌍 Website & Book: on-vocation.com📖 On Vocation: Aligning Purpose with Profession🔜 Upcoming books on Purpose & Business and Purpose & Capital🔑 Final ReflectionVocation isn’t about quitting everything.It’s about choosing consciously.When your work becomes an expression of who you are, effort feels different.Contribution feels energizing.And success stops feeling hollow.As always — reflect honestly, choose intentionally, and keep surviving the side hustle.

Here’s a hard truth most high performers don’t want to hear:Your body isn’t slowing you down — your ignorance of it is.In this Friday Recap, Rob breaks down the biggest lessons from this week’s conversation with Beth Mielbrecht, a health coach with 35 years of experience as a mechanical engineer. Beth doesn’t treat health as mysterious or spiritualized — she treats it as a system. And systems, when understood, can be fixed.This episode is a wake-up call for driven side hustlers, solopreneurs, and high achievers who believe they can outwork the consequences of neglecting their health. It’s not about working less — it’s about stopping the habit of treating your body like it’s disposable.If you’re building something meaningful and pushing through pain, fatigue, or burnout “just a little longer,” this recap will change how you think about performance, recovery, and long-term success.Most people don’t neglect their bodies because they’re lazy — they do it because they’re driven, capable, and under pressure. The lie we tell ourselves is: “Once I hit this milestone, then I’ll take care of myself.”The problem? The goalpost always moves.Beth reframed this perfectly:If you don’t schedule recovery, your body will schedule it for you — and it won’t be convenient.Beth spent 35 years as a mechanical engineer. Engineers don’t accept “there’s nothing you can do.” They assume problems have causes and systems can be understood.She didn’t abandon that identity — she layered it into health. The human body follows logic, patterns, and cause-and-effect just like any other system.Beth offers a short 10-question quiz to help identify where your system is out of balance and what to focus on first.👉 Visit YourHealthWithBeth.com to take the quiz and access her private podcast.🔑 Final ReminderYour body isn’t a disposable tool — it’s a business partner you can’t replace.Ask. Listen. Take action.And remember: you don’t hustle your way to freedom — you build capacity for it.

What if your biggest business bottleneck isn’t strategy, effort, or execution — but your health?In this episode of Surviving the Side Hustle, Rob sits down with Beth Mielbrecht, a health coach with a surprising background: 35 years as a mechanical engineer. Rather than abandoning her engineering identity, Beth layered it into her work — applying systems thinking, problem-solving, and structure to human health.This conversation explores why entrepreneurs and side hustlers so often ignore their bodies while building something meaningful — and why that tradeoff always shows up later as burnout, pain, poor focus, or declining creativity.Beth breaks down how symptoms are not random, why suppression (coffee, painkillers, cortisone shots) delays real healing, and how learning to ask, listen, and act can radically improve both health and performance.If you’re grinding toward a goal while pushing your body aside, this episode will change how you think about success.🔧 From Engineering Systems to Human SystemsBeth spent decades as a mechanical engineer — trained to fix what’s broken and understand how systems work. That same mindset now guides her approach to health:Problems have causesSystems can be optimizedThe body is not mysterious or brokenHealth, she explains, isn’t separate from business performance — it’s the foundation of it.🧠 Why High Performers Ignore Their BodiesEntrepreneurs often believe:“I’ll deal with it after this launch”“I just need to push a little longer”“I don’t have time to slow down”Beth explains why this happens — and why it backfires. Pushing through fatigue, poor sleep, and pain doesn’t disappear the problem; it stores it for later.🚨 Early Warning Signs Most People MissBeth shares the most common signals that show up before major health issues:Poor or restless sleepStiffness and loss of mobilityChronic tension, headaches, or joint painDeclining focus and creativityThese aren’t isolated problems — they’re connected signals from the body asking for attention.🔄 Suppression vs. HealingCaffeine, sugar, painkillers, and “pushing through” fall into what Beth calls suppression — not healing.True recovery requires:Adequate sleep and recoveryConsistent movement (especially walking)Nourishing food and hydrationReduced stimulation and stress overloadWhen inputs improve, outputs follow.🧩 Listening to the Body AgainBeth explains how she helps clients reconnect with their bodies:Notice the symptomAsk what was happening before it showed upConnect emotional and physical stressTake informed actionHealth improves when curiosity replaces avoidance.📊 A Simple Place to StartBeth offers a 10-question health quiz that helps identify where your system is most out of balance and where to focus first.👉 Take the quiz at YourHealthWithBeth.com(You’ll also find her newsletter, resources, and ways to connect.)🎯 Final TakeawayBeth’s core message is simple but powerful:Your body wants to heal. It’s not broken or attacking you.Ask. Listen. Take action.When your health improves, your creativity, clarity, and business performance rise with it.

Friday Recap – Featuring Stanley BronsteinWhat if the thing holding you back isn’t a lack of knowledge, motivation, or opportunity — but the stories you’ve been telling yourself for years?That’s the real challenge behind this week’s conversation with Stanley Bronstein.🧠 Who Is Stanley Bronstein?Stanley is an attorney, CPA, author, and systems thinker with over four decades of experience. One thing he corrected immediately:He’s not a former attorney or CPA — he’s still both.The difference is that now he works by choice, not necessity.Not for money — but for meaning.That alone should make you pause.🔍 Awareness vs. AvoidanceOne of the most powerful lines from the episode:“I knew I needed to lose weight for 42 years. I acted in year 42.”That’s the difference between knowing and real awareness.Real awareness requires:TruthOwnershipActionKnowing without acting isn’t awareness — it’s avoidance.As Stanley put it:“I changed my life in an instant… but it took me 42 years to be ready for that instant.”⚡ The Turning PointOn February 1st, 2009 — four months before his 50th birthday — Stanley asked himself a brutal question:“Where will I be in five years if I don’t change?”He didn’t like the answer.So he made a decision, not a wish:He stopped drinking alcohol and sodaHe cut foods that didn’t serve himHe started walking every dayHe took full personal responsibilityNo blame.No drama.Just ownership.🔁 Identity Beats WillpowerStanley didn’t rely on motivation. He changed his identity.He didn’t ask:“Should I walk today?”“Should I eat better today?”Those decisions were already made.That’s what commitment does — it removes friction.As he reframed it:“Discipline isn’t punishment. Discipline is self-respect in action.”Over 17 years, that identity led to:70,000+ miles walkedNearly three times around the earthSustainable health and clarity🧠 Long-Term ThinkingShort-term thinking mortgages your future.Long-term thinking invests in it.One of Stanley’s most powerful mindset shifts:“I don’t have to do these things. I get to do them.”That perspective turns effort into privilege — something every entrepreneur and side hustler can relate to.⚙️ The Way of ExcellenceStanley turned his entire journey into a system called The Way of Excellence — a human operating system built on:AwarenessLong-term thinkingPersonal responsibilityDisciplineCommitmentIntegration of mind, body, and spiritIf you’ve been around the show, you’ll recognize the overlap with Prime Performance:Inputs determine outputsSystems beat motivationIdentity drives behaviorThe wild part?Everything is free — books, videos, frameworks — no paywalls, no opt-ins.👉 Explore it at thewayofexcellence.com

Some transformations don’t come from motivation, hacks, or quick fixes — they come from radical honesty and long-term commitment.In this episode of Surviving the Side Hustle, I sit down with Stanley Bronstein — an attorney and CPA with over four decades of professional experience — whose story is as powerful as it is grounding. Stanley lost over 220 pounds, kept it off for more than a decade, and built a life where he no longer works for money… but for meaning.This conversation goes far beyond weight loss. It’s about awareness, discipline, identity, responsibility, and truth — and what happens when someone finally stops negotiating with themselves.🔍 What We Dive IntoStanley shares his journey from childhood trauma and decades of self-destructive habits to building a personal operating system he calls The Way of Excellence — a framework for sustainable change in any area of life.We explore:Why knowing you need to change isn’t the same as being awareHow long-term thinking creates freedom while short-term thinking mortgages your futureThe difference between temporary changes and permanent identity shiftsWhy abstinence is sometimes easier (and healthier) than moderationHow discipline becomes effortless once decisions are removedWhy motivation fades — but systems endureThe power of integrating mind, body, and spiritStanley also opens up about the emotional roots of his journey — including the loss of his mother at a young age — and how healing those experiences was just as important as changing his habits.💡 Key Takeaways1️⃣ Awareness Requires ActionYou can “know” something for years and never change. Real awareness begins the moment you act.2️⃣ Stop Negotiating with YourselfWhen you commit 100%, decisions disappear — and discipline becomes automatic.3️⃣ You Don’t Have to Change — You Get ToPerspective shifts everything. Health, movement, and growth are privileges, not punishments.4️⃣ Identity Drives BehaviorWhen you decide who you are, your habits naturally follow.5️⃣ Sustainable Performance Is Built on SystemsMotivation fades. Systems compound.🔗 Resources MentionedStanley has made his entire framework — The Way of Excellence — available for free, including:His full systemShort educational videosDigital copies of all five of his books👉 Visit thewayofexcellence.com to explore the resources or connect with Stanley directly.Prime Performance ConnectionThis episode touches nearly every Prime Performance principle:Resilience through responsibility, not toughnessIntentionality through long-term thinkingClarity through radical self-honestyOptimization through systems and routinesSustainability through identity-level changeAs Stanley puts it:“You don’t change the world by fixing everyone else. You change the world by changing yourself.”Final ReflectionIf you take one thing from this episode, let it be this:Stop lying to yourself.Tell the truth.Then act on it.

This episode picks up Part 2 of the Top 10 Takeaways from Surviving the Side Hustle — pulling lessons from some of the most impactful conversations since the show began.These aren’t tactics or hacks. They’re foundational truths about confidence, awareness, communication, consistency, and alignment — and how Prime Performers actually sustain momentum over time.6️⃣ If You Don’t Take Yourself Seriously, No One Else WillGuest: Celeste MooreEpisode 82 – February 26, 2025This conversation centered on confidence, presence, and personal branding — not as aesthetics, but as alignment.Many people want to be taken seriously in their business, career, or side hustle… yet they don’t take themselves seriously first.Key Lesson: Influence starts with presence.Prime Performance Tie-In: Self-investment isn’t ego — it’s leadership.Reflection: Where do others believe in you more than you currently believe in yourself?7️⃣ Success Without Awareness Is Just Another Form of BurnoutGuest: Bob MartinEpisode 135 – November 18, 2025This conversation slowed everything down — in the best way. We explored mindfulness, reflection, and how speed without awareness often disguises burnout as progress.Key Lesson: Clarity doesn’t come from speed — it comes from space.Prime Performance Tie-In: Momentum requires regular check-ins, not just checklists.Reflection: When was the last time you paused long enough to ask, “Is this still the right direction?”8️⃣ People Care More About Being Understood Than Being ImpressedGuest: Danny BrasileEpisode 101This episode focused on communication, influence, and the difference between talking at people and truly connecting with them.Most professionals focus on sounding smart. The real skill is making others feel understood.Key Lesson: Connection precedes conversion.Prime Performance Tie-In: Prime Performers speak to people — not over them.Reflection: In your conversations, are you focused more on your response… or their reality?9️⃣ You Can’t Control Outcomes — But You Can Control EffortGuest: Quinn MagnusonEpisode 139 – From Gridiron to BoardroomQuinn shared lessons from athletics, discipline, and long-term consistency. Motivation fluctuates. Conditions change. Results aren’t guaranteed.Effort, preparation, and perspective are.Key Lesson: Momentum isn’t emotional — it’s mechanical.Prime Performance Tie-In: Confidence is built through small, repeatable actions.Reflection: What is one effort you can commit to consistently in 2026 — regardless of how it feels?🔟 Take Advice Only from People Who’ve Walked the RoadGuest: Adam VoraEpisode 33 – March 20, 2024This conversation explored purpose, decision-making, and the danger of too many well-meaning voices.Too much input creates confusion. Clarity improves when alignment replaces consensus.Key Lesson: Discernment is a performance skill.Prime Performance Tie-In: Prime Performers choose mentors, inputs, and feedback intentionally.Reflection: Whose voice do you need to turn down in 2026 so you can hear your own more clearly?If even one of these lessons resonated, revisit the full episode — and more importantly, apply one takeaway this week.

As we close out 2025, reflection matters just as much as goal-setting. In this solo episode, Rob looks back on five of the most impactful conversations from Surviving the Side Hustle so far — not tactical how-tos, but core truths about health, identity, effort, and alignment.Sometimes Life Has to Break You Before It Can Align YouGuest: Holly PorterHolly shared her near-death experience and the health collapse that forced her to stop everything. What stood out most wasn’t just the trauma — it was the clarity that followed.For years, she succeeded on paper while ignoring the signals her body was sending… until they couldn’t be ignored anymore.Reflection: Where have you been ignoring physical, mental, or emotional warning signs because slowing down feels uncomfortable?https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/surviving-the-side-hustle/id1711453767?i=10007133668992️⃣ Your Beliefs Quietly Shape Your FutureGuest: Kenny GreenThis conversation dug deep into identity and belief systems. Most people chase strategies and shortcuts while overlooking the internal narratives driving their decisions.Those beliefs don’t show up immediately — they reveal themselves through repeated patterns.Reflection: What belief about yourself quietly guided your biggest decision this year? Was it empowering or limiting?https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/surviving-the-side-hustle/id1711453767?i=10007123874333️⃣ Self-Care Isn’t a Luxury — It’s a RequirementGuest: Zoraida MoralesZoraida’s story of surviving cancer and corporate burnout reframed success entirely. Healing wasn’t just about treatment — it required trust, intuition, and learning to listen again.Reflection: What part of your wellbeing did you sacrifice this year in the name of productivity?https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/surviving-the-side-hustle/id1711453767?i=10007144472624️⃣ The Grind Only Works If You Recover From ItGuest: Ben LeRoseOne of the most popular episodes of the show, this conversation explored ambition, work ethic, and the pride side hustlers take in outworking everyone else — and the cost of doing so without recovery.Reflection: Where could better systems replace brute force in your life or business?https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/surviving-the-side-hustle/id1711453767?i=10006398406295️⃣ Growth Starts Before You Feel ReadyGuests: Meredith & CraigMeredith and Craig shared the behind-the-scenes story of leaving security, saying yes before certainty, and building a business together without waiting for confidence to show up first.Reflection: What opportunity did you delay this year because you didn’t feel ready?https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/surviving-the-side-hustle/id1711453767?i=1000740347869

Have you ever looked at your life and thought, “I’m doing everything right… so why does it feel so heavy?”You’re productive. Responsible. Capable. But beneath it all, you’re exhausted — not just physically, but mentally and emotionally.That’s exactly what this week’s conversation with Dr. Maureen “Mo” Gibbons cracked wide open.Here’s the truth she dropped that stuck with me:You cannot hustle your way out of poor health — and no amount of success can compensate for a fried nervous system.Dr. Mo isn’t speaking from theory. She lived it.15 years in emergency medicine. Night shifts. High-stakes decisions. Ironman races. Credentials for days. And despite “doing everything right,” she was trapped in a system slowly draining her bandwidth, health, and joy.Her mission now is simple but powerful:Create a space for adults to be — and to grow.🧠 What Makes Dr. Mo DifferentDr. Mo runs AMS Lifestyle Medicine, a telehealth practice focused on weight management, energy, men’s performance, and functional/lifestyle medicine.But what stood out most to me is this:👉 She doesn’t just treat symptoms — she treats capacity.Mental bandwidth.Biological energy.Emotional clarity.She helps people stop surviving their lives and start directing them.🔑 Top Takeaways from the Episode1️⃣ Burnout Isn’t Always ObviousOne of the most powerful moments was when Dr. Mo said:“I didn’t think I was burned out.”She was sleeping. Exercising. Productive. High-functioning.Yet her system was overloaded.Burnout doesn’t always look like collapse.Sometimes it looks like sustained over-functioning, where everything costs more than it should.2️⃣ Bandwidth Is the Real CurrencyDr. Mo kept coming back to this idea of bandwidth — mental space, emotional capacity, nervous system regulation.Most people don’t need more motivation.They need fewer invisible drains.Bandwidth is what allows better decisions, better leadership, better health.Without it, even “good habits” stop working.3️⃣ Systems Either Save You or Suffocate YouDr. Mo scaled fast — replacing her ER income in six months — but without the right systems.Eventually, she had to do the hardest thing imaginable:She blew it up and rebuilt from scratch.Because broken systems don’t scale — they multiply chaos.This applies to life too.If your calendar, routines, and environment aren’t supporting you, they’re quietly draining you.📘 About the Book: Freedom to ShiftThis book is for the person who says:“I can’t work any harder… and I can’t imagine doing this for 20 more years.”It’s the first of a trilogy:Freedom to Shift → Permission to changeFreedom to Spend → Intentional use of time & moneyFreedom to Shine → Becoming a lighthouse, not a tugboatYou don’t retire from growth.You evolve into relevance.🎁 Free Gift from Dr. MoDM “REBOOT” to @drmogibbons on Instagram for her 7-Day RebootLearn more at ShiftWithDrMo.com🎯 Your Challenge This WeekAsk yourself:Where is my bandwidth leaking?What am I tolerating that’s quietly draining me?Where do I need to give myself permission to shift?Then audit your calendar — not to cram more in, but to create white space.

In this episode of Surviving the Side Hustle, Rob sits down with Dr. Maureen “Moe” Gibbons — physician, entrepreneur, lifestyle medicine expert, and author of the new book Freedom to Shift.Dr. Moe specializes in helping high achievers trade burnout for bandwidth through systems, biology, boundaries, and intentional living. After spending 15 years in emergency medicine, completing seven Ironmans, and battling long-term weight and health challenges, she discovered the hard truth:You can’t hustle your way out of poor health.Now she’s on a mission to help people create time, income, and health freedom so they can build what’s next without sacrificing themselves in the process.This is one of those conversations that makes you rethink performance, redefine success, and get honest about what “stress” is really costing you.💡 Key Takeaways1. Her Mission Was Born Through Action, Not PlanningThe phrase Freedom to Shift didn’t come from an idea — it came from lived experience. After decades of pushing through exhaustion, her mission became clear only after she created the space to heal.2. The Hidden Weight We Don’t Know We CarryDr. Moe didn’t believe she was burned out until she stopped working. Only then did she recognize how much stress, adrenaline, and internal noise had become “normal.”🔗 Relates directly to Prime Principle #1: Resilience through proper recovery.3. Health Is the Doorway to FreedomWhether it's weight, energy, anxiety, or sleep — you cannot build a business, family, or future on a dysregulated system.She teaches clients to protect sleep, simplify nutrition, and eliminate stress-inducing inputs — a foundational requirement before scaling anything.4. Systems Determine Your SuccessHer telehealth practice grew so fast she had to fire 90% of her team and rebuild everything.Lesson: you can’t scale chaos.🔗 Echoes Prime Principle #4: Optimization.5. Calendars Reveal the TruthOne of the first exercises she does with clients is organizing their calendar.If the calendar is packed with noise, so is the mind.If there’s no white space, there’s no bandwidth.If everything is “busy,” nothing is strategic.6. Freedom Comes From Intentional Choices, Not More EffortShe helps clients stop trading time and start creating scalable value through health, systems, and aligned work.🔗 Ties into Prime Principle #3: Clarity & Reflection.7. Retirement Is a Myth — Relevance Is the GoalShe envisions a future of book meetups, AMS lifestyle communities, and continuous growth. Success isn’t stopping — it’s shining.🔗 Connect With Dr. MoeInstagram: @drmoegibbonsDM the word “reboot” for her free 7-day health resetWork with her: shiftwithdrmoe.com🚀 Want More Energy, Clarity, and Momentum?Join Prime Performance Momentum Mastermind — every Monday, live.👉 survivingthesidehustle.com/mastermind🎯 Weekly ChallengeAudit your calendar.Create one pocket of true white space this week — no work, no phone, no expectation.See how your body responds when you finally give it room to breathe.🔥 Closing ThoughtYou can’t build a meaningful life on a burned-out foundation. Freedom begins with the shift you give yourself permission to make.

What happens when you do everything right your whole life — follow the path your family and culture laid out — and still feel like something is missing? That’s where this week’s guest, Mo Salami, found himself.On paper, Mo was the blueprint of success: multiple science degrees, a respected healthcare career, six-figure income, the nice neighborhood, the nice car, the title that makes people nod. But internally? His life was one long loop of work, fatigue, and the quiet fear that this couldn’t be all there was.Then one day, he walks into a bookstore in central London and sees a simple sign: “How to Be Successful.”A sign pointing directly at a book he didn’t think he needed… but somehow had to pick up.That book — The Success Principles — became the spark for a complete identity shift. He didn’t just read it. He bought every book recommended inside it. He started studying personal growth, sales, communication, mindset, public speaking — deeply. He traveled, trained, mentored, sold, spoke, failed, rebuilt, and eventually left the traditional path to build a life on his terms.This recap breaks down the biggest lessons from that conversation — because Mo’s story is the exact story so many side hustlers silently live.1️⃣ Apparent Success vs. Actual SuccessMo realized he had apparent success — the external markers that impress people.Actual success is different.Actual success includes:FulfillmentFreedomImpactJoyAlignmentIt’s when your internal experience matches your external story.So here’s your first question this week:👉 Whose definition of success have you been chasing?👉 And which parts of your current life are yours — and which were inherited?2️⃣ The Three Steps to Purpose-Driven SuccessMo shared a framework I loved:1. World-Class MindsetYour mindset drives 80–90% of your results.Not positive thinking — pattern recognition and emotional regulation.2. World-Class Skill SetTreat your craft like a profession, not a hobby.Study the game. Get feedback. Practice deliberately.3. Move Toward the Result Before You See ItMost people procrastinate behind preparation.Mo reminded us:👉 We only get about 4,000 weeks on this planet.You cannot wait for certainty to start.3️⃣ Prepare → Perform → PolishThis is the practicality every side hustler needs:Prepare:Get to 80%. Past that, you’re procrastinating.Perform:Launch messy. Do it unprepared. Act before confident.Polish:Then reflect, refine, repeat.You don’t get polished by hiding behind your laptop.Want to Connect with Mo?Website: mosalami.comFree Strategy Call: mosalami.com/freecallKeynote Speaking: blend of science, personal development, and practical application.

In this episode of Surviving the Side Hustle, Rob sits down with Mo Salami — a scientist turned global speaker who walked away from a high-paying pharmaceutical career to pursue a life of purpose, service, and personal development.Mo’s story begins in a world where academic achievement defined success. After earning multiple science degrees and securing a prestigious role, he found himself working 16-hour days, exhausted and unfulfilled. Everything changed in a London bookstore when he stumbled upon The Success Principles by Jack Canfield — a single moment that became his catalyst into mindset work, personal development, and eventually, speaking on stages around the world.Mo shares the turning points, the identity shifts, the lessons learned from world-class mentors (including Tony Robbins), and the frameworks that guide his coaching today. For anyone considering a career change, craving more meaning, or looking to level up their skillset and mindset, Mo provides a playbook for purposeful success.💡 Key Takeaways1. Actual Success Beats Apparent SuccessMo realized that the world’s definition of success didn’t match his own. True success includes fulfillment, not just income or titles.🔗 This echoes Prime Principle #3 Clarity — identifying what matters before chasing what doesn’t.2. The Three Pillars of Purpose-Driven AchievementMo reveals his three-part approach to becoming world-class in anything:Mindset: 80–90% of results come from how you think.Skillset: Master your craft at a level that genuinely serves others.Movement: Always move toward the result you want before you see it.🔗 Aligns beautifully with Prime Principle #1 Resilience and #4 Optimization.3. Identity Shifts Are Required for Big LeapsLeaving pharmacy wasn’t just a career change — it required redefining who he was. Mo reminds listeners that you don’t start from zero; you transfer your competencies into a new arena.4. Don’t Attempt the Journey AloneFrom Tony Robbins to global mentors, Mo accelerated his growth by learning directly from the best. Coaches collapse decades into days — and keep you accountable to the identity you want to step into.5. The Three P’s of Polished PerformanceMo’s simple yet powerful performance framework:Prepare: Get to 80% and stop.Perform: Step into the arena.Polish: Iterate, refine, repeat.A reminder that sloppy reps are a requirement, not a setback.🔗 Connect With MoWebsite: mosalami.comFree Strategy Call: mosalami.com/freecallIf you're building a coaching business or want structured guidance for online growth and mindset mastery, Mo is a phenomenal resource.🚀 Join the Momentum MastermindIf Mo’s message lit a fire in you, imagine what happens when you surround yourself with people like him every Monday night.👉 survivingthesidehustle.com/mastermind🎯 Weekly ChallengePick one skill you want to master and apply Mo’s Three P’s:Prepare → Perform → PolishTag @RobTracz and share your first rep — messy or not.🔥 Closing ThoughtSuccess isn’t a destination. It’s a mindset, a process, and a willingness to move before you feel ready.

In this recap of Surviving the Side Hustle, Rob dives into the key lessons from his conversation with Meredith & Craig — a husband-and-wife duo who turned their marriage into the foundation for a thriving coaching business.After leaving corporate careers, stumbling through real estate, and facing financial stress, they discovered their true gift wasn’t in properties — it was in people, connection, and partnership. Today they help couples strengthen communication, deepen trust, and build unstoppable momentum together.This episode explores how aligned relationships fuel growth, energy, clarity, and confidence — not just at home, but in business too.💡 Key Takeaways1. Challenge Creates ClarityWhen life forced them out of corporate roles, they didn’t just change jobs — they changed direction. The breakdown forced bigger questions:Who are we? What life do we actually want to build?Hard moments often reveal your real path.🔗 Prime Principle #1: Resilience2. Vulnerability Builds ConnectionTheir coaching journey didn’t begin with expertise — it began with honesty. Sharing their relationship struggles on stage showed people they weren’t alone. Vulnerability isn’t weakness; it’s leadership.🔗 Prime Principle #5: Social Support & Influence3. Presence Protects PartnershipsGreat relationships aren’t built on hours together — they’re built on attention.Twenty minutes of full presence beats four hours of half-distracted time. When your energy is drained, nothing in your life or business gets your best.🔗 Prime Principle #2: Intentional Consumption💞 Why This Matters for Side HustlersYour relationships set the tone for your creativity, discipline, clarity, and emotional bandwidth. When your partnership is aligned, your business has more momentum. When it’s not, everything feels heavier.This conversation reinforces a simple truth:Your business will only grow as strong as the relationships supporting it.🔗 Connect with Meredith & CraigInstagram: @meredithandcraigWebsite: roadoflifecoaching.comFree 30-Day Email Challenge: Small hinges swing big doors.🚀 Join the Momentum MastermindIf you want to build resilience, intentionality, and momentum in every area of your life, join Rob every Monday for live coaching.👉 survivingthesidehustle.com/mastermindJust $25/month or $250/year.🎯 Weekly ChallengeSchedule one 20-minute, distraction-free connection with someone who matters.No phones. No multitasking. Just presence.Share how it felt by tagging @RobTracz, or DM your insight and Rob may feature your story.🔥 Closing ThoughtLove better. Protect your presence. Build your momentum.Success grows where your relationships grow.

In this episode of Surviving the Side Hustle, Rob and Greg sit down with Meredith and Craig, a couple from Prince Edward Island who walked away from comfortable corporate careers to build a life and business together.After being asked to move across the country, facing a serious illness in the family and stumbling through a real estate venture that drained their energy, they realized something important:They were great at the corporate game, but completely out of alignment with the life they actually wanted.Through personal growth, hard conversations and a lot of trial and error, they discovered that their real gift was the way they built and protected their relationship. That became the foundation for their coaching, mastermind and community work, helping couples build marriages that support both life and business.💡 Key TakeawaysDefault Success Is Not Real SuccessMeredith and Craig were winning by traditional standards, but deeply unfulfilled. Losing an office, facing illness and questioning the old “go to school, get a job, retire” script pushed them to ask what they actually wanted their life to look like.Your Relationship Is a Team, Not a Tug-of-WarThey see their marriage as a third entity: you, me and the team. When you agree on the destination, you can disagree on the route without becoming enemies. You are on the same side of the problem, not fighting each other.Know Which Hat You Are WearingWhen you work with your partner, you need to know if you are speaking as a spouse or as a business partner. Mixing those roles causes friction. They use timing, clear boundaries and daily rituals like end-of-day walks to switch gears with intention.Vulnerability Is a Relationship SuperpowerIn their Infinite Relationship Mastermind, they have created a space where members can be honest about what they are struggling with. One member admitted he could not write a love letter to himself. Another read his own three-page letter out loud to help him. That kind of vulnerability builds trust fast.Small Intentional Moments Beat Big Occasional GesturesEspecially for side hustlers, it is easy to let work consume everything. They teach couples to protect short, fully present windows of time. Twenty distraction-free minutes often does more for connection than four hours on the couch with phones out.If It Is Not Fun, Something Is OffOne of their core beliefs is that relationships and business are meant to include joy. If everything feels heavy all the time, that is a signal you are out of alignment and need to adjust, not a sign that you should just grind harder.🔗 Connect with Meredith & CraigWebsite: roadoflifecoaching.comInstagram: @meredithandcraigFree 33 Day Email Challenge: Daily micro actions to strengthen connection (link in their IG bio)🚀 Want More Weekly Support?Join Rob’s Momentum Mastermind, where strategy meets community for side hustlers and driven professionals.👉 survivingthesidehustle.com/mastermind🎯 Listener ChallengeThis week, schedule one 20 to 30 minute block with your partner or someone important to you. No phones, no TV, no multitasking. Just be present and talk.After you do it, share your biggest insight and tag @RobTracz and @MeredithandCraig.

In this episode of "Surviving the Side Hustle," host Rob Tracz sits down with Quinn Magnuson, a former professional football player turned leadership and performance coach. They explore the transformative power of focusing on effort over results. Quinn shares his journey from the CFL to the boardroom, emphasizing the importance of resilience, grit, and creating environments that prioritize psychological safety. Discover how shifting your focus from outcomes to effort can ignite motivation, build resilience, and sustain long-term performance. Tune in to learn how to control the controllables and thrive in any environment.

Episode Summary:In this episode of Surviving the Side Hustle, Rob sits down with Quinn Magnuson — a former professional football player turned leadership and performance coach who now leads the Effort Over Results movement.From growing up in poverty and battling a “world’s out to get me” mindset, to competing for Team Canada and eventually becoming a business owner and coach, Quinn’s story is one of resilience, grit, and perspective. He’s lived the highs of chasing greatness — and the burnout that comes with measuring success only by outcomes.Now, Quinn helps leaders, entrepreneurs, and teams focus on the only two things we can truly control: attitude and effort.Top 3 Takeaways:Resilience is Built Through Change, Not ComfortQuinn’s life was full of forced transitions — from athlete to teacher, to franchise owner, to corporate business coach. Each change built new layers of adaptability and strength. His message: don’t fear detours; they’re the path to growth.Psychological Safety Fuels PerformanceGreat leaders create environments where people feel safe to speak up, make mistakes, and be themselves. Without psychological safety, there’s no innovation, no growth, and no genuine teamwork. Safety isn’t “soft” — it’s strategic.Recognize Effort, Not Just ResultsWhether in business, sports, or family life, recognizing effort drives engagement and long-term success. Burnout happens when all that’s celebrated are the numbers. Effort builds trust, culture, and ultimately — sustainable results.Topics Covered:Quinn’s journey from poverty to pro athlete to purpose-driven coachHow sports shaped his resilience and leadership styleThe importance of mentors, role models, and early guidanceHow “Effort Over Results” began — and why it matters todayThe role of psychological safety in high-performance teamsBalancing compassion with accountability in business🔗 Connect with Quinn Magnuson:🌐 Website: effortoverresults.com🎧 Podcast: Effort Over Results (available on YouTube & all major platforms)📩 Email: quinn@effortoverresults.com📱 Instagram & TikTok: @effortoverresults💥 Special Offer (2025 Only):Quinn is offering U.S. companies a money-back guarantee on his Effort Over Results program — you only pay expenses if the outcomes don’t hit. That’s how confident he is in his process.⚡ Join the Momentum Mastermind:If you’re ready to refocus, re-align, and take control of your time, energy, and focus, join Rob and the Prime Performance community every Monday night for live coaching calls.💻 survivingthesidehustle.com/mastermind🎯 Challenge of the Week:Take one area of your life — your fitness, business, or relationships — and track your effort for 7 days.Don’t judge the result. Just measure the consistency.Then tag @RobTracz and @EffortOverResults with your biggest insight.

Episode Summary:In this week’s recap of Surviving the Side Hustle, Rob unpacks his powerful conversation with Scott Maderer — a stewardship coach, author, and host of the Inspired Stewardship Podcast.Scott turned burnout, financial chaos, and even suicidal thoughts into a purpose-driven mission: helping Christian men and couples master their time, money, and mindset so they can live out their calling without burning out.This episode dives deep into what it really means to steward your time, talent, and treasure, and why the secret to success isn’t doing more — it’s doing what matters most.Top 3 Takeaways:Refocus Before You PlanMost people rush into creating a plan before they regain control of their focus. As Scott says, “You can’t structure chaos.” Slow down, realign, and gain clarity before you start mapping out your goals.🧠 Ties to Prime Principle #3: Clarity & ReflectionCommunication Creates ConnectionLeadership, relationships, and influence all depend on your ability to adapt how you communicate. Scott broke down the DISC model, showing how the best leaders speak so others can hear them — not just listen to them.💬 Ties to Prime Principle #5: Social Skills & SupportIntentional Living Beats Accidental SuccessStop chasing “home run” moments. Start stacking small, consistent, intentional actions. Real growth isn’t explosive — it’s deliberate.⚙️ Ties to Prime Principle #4: Efficiency & OptimizationRob’s Reflections:Each of Scott’s takeaways connects directly to the Prime Performance Coaching process.Clarity comes before strategy.Curiosity builds connection.Consistency fuels growth.If you want to move from busy to better, this conversation is your wake-up call to live and lead with intention.Connect with Scott Maderer:👉 Website: inspiredstewardship.com🎧 Listen to Rob’s guest appearance on The Inspired Stewardship Podcast:inspiredstewardship.com/sidehustle🚀 Join the Momentum Mastermind:If you’re ready to take back control of your time, money, and energy, join Rob and the Prime Performance community every Monday night.🗓️ Where strategy meets community.🔗 survivingthesidehustle.com/mastermind🎯 Challenge of the Week:Pick one area of your life — time, money, or energy — and track it for seven days. Don’t fix it yet, just measure it. Because awareness always comes before adjustment.Tag @RobTracz on Instagram or DM your insight after you’ve tracked it.

SummaryIn this episode of Surviving the Side Hustle, Rob Tracz interviews Scott Maderer, a stewardship coach who helps Christian men and couples master their time, talent, and treasure. Scott shares his journey from various careers to coaching, emphasizing the importance of communication styles, leadership, and understanding client needs. He discusses the difference between coaching and consulting, the significance of psychographics in connecting with clients, and offers valuable advice for entrepreneurs looking to grow their side hustles.TakeawaysScott Maderer helps Christian men and couples master their time, talent, and treasure.Coaching focuses on deeper questions rather than just providing solutions.Scott's journey to coaching began with his own financial struggles.Effective leadership involves building others up and creating a supportive team environment.Understanding different communication styles is crucial for effective coaching.Psychographics help in connecting with clients on a deeper level.Many clients struggle with feeling overwhelmed by time and financial constraints.Budgeting should reflect what is truly important to you.Incremental improvements can lead to significant growth over time.Intentionality in planning and execution is key to success.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Scott Maderer00:57 The Role of a Stewardship Coach01:54 Coaching vs. Consulting: Understanding the Difference04:52 Scott's Journey to Stewardship Coaching10:24 Leadership and Building Others Up14:00 The Importance of Communication Styles29:27 Identifying Client Needs and Challenges33:12 Future Projects and Aspirations35:54 Final Advice for Entrepreneurs

In this episode, Rob Tracz recaps his conversation with Bob Martin, a former lawyer turned wellness professor and meditation teacher. Bob shares his journey from the chaotic lifestyle of Miami's criminal courts to a life of mindfulness and wisdom. TakeawaysTiming is everything; success comes when you learn to sense the right moment.Retreat isn't a weakness; it's wisdom to recharge and regain clarity.Intuition plus rationality equals real insight.Bob Martin's journey from Miami's chaos to mindfulness.The importance of aligning with the right timing in life.Self-care is a necessity, not a luxury.Trusting your gut and backing it up with deliberate action.Resilience is about knowing when to push and when to pause.Surviving the side hustle is about aligning with the right timing.Creating a life that's not just successful but mindful.Chapters00:00:00 Introduction and Recap00:00:00 Bob Martin's Journey00:00:00 Lessons on Timing and Retreat00:00:00 Combining Intuition and Rationality00:00:01 Creating a Mindful Life

In this episode, Rob Tracz interviews Bob Martin, a former high-powered criminal trial lawyer turned mindfulness mentor. Bob shares his transformative journey from the chaotic world of Miami's cocaine cowboy era to embracing mindfulness and meditation. He discusses the importance of timing in life decisions, the wisdom of the I Ching, and the challenges of maintaining intuition in a modern, technology-driven society. Bob emphasizes the significance of retreating at the right time and how this practice can lead to personal growth and understanding. He also highlights his teaching experiences and the impact he aims to create through his work.TakeawaysMajor shifts in perspective often occur when we hit rock bottom.Spiritual and psychological well-being can be more important than professional success.The I Ching offers insights into timing and decision-making.Understanding the cycles of life can help us navigate challenges.Retreating at the right time can lead to regrouping and better outcomes.Intuition can be clouded by modern distractions like social media.Teaching mindfulness can create a significant impact on students.Practicing mindfulness can help in understanding one's authentic self.The heart has its own intelligence and can connect us to others.Curiosity is essential for personal growth and understanding. Chapters00:00 From Lawyer to Mindfulness Mentor12:05 The Power of the I Ching20:26 Navigating Life's Timing29:31 The Impact of Modern Society on Intuition36:46 Vision for the Future40:57 Outro 2025.mp4