Money Stories

Melanie Balke has built a life most entrepreneurs chase for years. Her business is thriving, her team is energized, and her days move with clarity and intention. She surfs, leads with presence, and shapes her calendar around the rhythm that brings out her best work. Her path reflects more than strategy. It is an identity shift rooted in emotional wealth, sustainable leadership, and the freedom to live life on her terms. This is the inner game of building something that lasts without losing yourself in the process. In this episode, we unpack: • How chasing success shaped her identity and nearly cost her everything • The mindset shifts that unlocked deeper trust and better leadership • Why slowing down made her a better leader • How she reshaped her business to support a sustainable life • Why she feels hustle culture can suppress the creativity of female founders • What real freedom looks like for a founder in full alignment About Melanie Balke: Melanie Balke is the founder of The Email Marketers, a retention marketing agency helping e-commerce brands build loyalty through email, SMS, and customer experience. She has grown the company into a seven-figure business by focusing on sustainable, relationship-driven growth that supports both founders and their teams. Outside the agency, she’s a surfer, speaker, and advocate for building freedom through intentional business design. Connect with Melanie: Website: www.theemailmarketers.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/melaniebalke X: https://x.com/Melanie_Balke Check out Retention Lab, a community for DTC brands who want to build their retention team in-house: https://www.theemailmarketers.com/retention-lab _________ Did something in this episode resonate with you? Check out Unbreakable Wealth, a private community for conscious entrepreneurs, high performers, and athletes ready to build multidimensional wealth beyond just money. It is the space for the conversations you cannot have anywhere else. If you are ready to live, lead, and build from alignment, you are in the right place. Learn more and apply now: https://go.unbreakablewealth.com/vsl-long

Delroy Gill grew up flipping candy in the playgrounds of South London, finding creative ways to make money at a young age. When he moved to America, saw the game from a different angle, and started building something far beyond himself. Early on a broken promise taught him that if he wanted something, he had to get it himself. That mindset carried him through the 2008 crash, into real estate, and all the way to the top of the luxury market. But the climb came with a cost. The walls he built to protect himself also kept people out. What followed was a personal rewiring. Through therapy, mentorship, and honest connection, the work turned inward. Along the way, Delroy discovered a richer definition of wealth. One rooted in legacy, stewardship, and the freedom to walk away from anything misaligned. Today, Delroy is a top luxury realtor but he’s not just selling homes. He is building legacy and blazing a trail for others to follow. In this episode we unpack: • Why representation matters in luxury spaces • The childhood betrayal that taught him to never ask for help • How he built a real estate career during a market crash • Why survival mode helps you win but keeps you isolated • How his definition of wealth evolved through healing • Why alignment matters more than achievement About Delroy Gill: Delroy Gill is America’s top Black real estate agent and ranks among the top 20 at LIV Sotheby’s International Realty in Colorado. With over $400 million in career sales, he advises CEOs, entrepreneurs, professional athletes, and industry leaders nationwide. Born in Britain with Jamaican heritage, Delroy has lived in the U.S. for more than 20 years and brings a cultural fluency and professional edge that sets him apart. He is a number one trendsetter, a member of Entrepreneurs’ Organization, and nationally ranked by the National Association of Real Estate Brokers. His work has been featured in Robb Report, the Denver Post, and Business Den. Connect with Delroy: Follow him on Instagram: www.instagram.com/delroygill _________ Did something in this episode resonate with you? Check out Unbreakable Wealth, a private community for conscious entrepreneurs, high performers, and athletes ready to build multidimensional wealth beyond just money. It is the space for the conversations you cannot have anywhere else. If you are ready to live, lead, and build from alignment, you are in the right place. Learn more and apply now: https://go.unbreakablewealth.com/vsl-long

Jack Swift followed the path to success with precision. He graduated from West Point, served as an Army Ranger, and grew to CEO of TIFIN, a category-defining AI fintech platform valued at $842M. Jack spent years building a successful life. He had the titles, the income, and the momentum. Over time, the long hours and constant pressure wore him down, until even the wins stopped feeling meaningful. He realized he was building from fear instead of alignment, and it was costing him his health, his clarity, and his sense of purpose. On this episode of Money Stories, Jack shares how his definition of success changed, what AI is revealing about human potential, and why presence has become his most valuable asset. We dive into: • How Jack rebuilt his life around clarity, not achievement • Why alignment is now his filter for every decision • The inner practices that shaped a billion-dollar company • What leaders need to understand about the role of AI • Why creativity, not control, is the new edge • How to build coherence, not just culture, and why that changes everything About Jack Swift Jack Swift is a leader who has spent his career operating at the edge of performance and transformation. A West Point graduate and former Airborne Ranger, his foundation in the military shaped a leadership style built on discipline, resilience, and purpose. After his service, Jack brought those same principles into the world of finance and entrepreneurship, guiding companies through growth and reinvention. He helped scale Janus Henderson’s institutional business, co-founded Pacific Current Group, and later led TIFIN, an AI-driven fintech platform that is redefining how wealth and asset managers use AI. Today, Jack advises AI companies, Brightwave and Grid.aero, is Co-Founder of Sangha and serves as a Board Director for Lockton Companies and Bow River Capital. Connect with Jack: Website: jackcswift.com Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-c-swift/ Check out his book coming out early next year titled Level 7 Leadership: Leading in the Age of AI _________ Did something in this episode resonate with you? Check out Unbreakable Wealth, a private community for conscious entrepreneurs, high performers, and athletes ready to build multidimensional wealth beyond just money. It is the space for the conversations you cannot have anywhere else. If you are ready to live, lead, and build from alignment, you are in the right place. Learn more and apply now: https://go.unbreakablewealth.com/vsl-long

Early life wasn’t easy for Rob Sirstins. He was born into poverty, adopted young, and raised in a world where he never felt like he belonged. Then he rose to success as a Division 1 football star with a career path in sales. From the outside, everything looked perfect. Then injury, betrayal, and loneliness stripped it all away and Rob found himself in a Salt Lake parking lot, finger on the trigger. That night, he chose to live and everything changed. What followed was a rebirth found through plant medicine, healing and community. Through this journey Rob found a new definition of wealth: not more money, but freedom and belonging. Today, Rob is a successful coach, speaker, and author. He's a beacon of inspiration helping others heal, find belonging, and step into true freedom. We unpack: • How childhood scarcity, bullying and racism shaped Rob’s money story • The night he almost ended his life - and why he didn’t • The role community played in rewriting his story • The four pillars of healthy masculinity Rob now teaches • Why wealth is found in freedom, not accumulation We unpack: • How childhood scarcity, bullying and racism shaped Rob’s money story • The night he almost ended his life - and why he didn’t • The role plant medicine and community played in rewriting his story • The four pillars of healthy masculinity Rob now teaches • Why wealth is found in freedom, not accumulation This conversation is about the courage to stay and the freedom that comes when you finally belong to yourself. About Rob Sirstins: Rob Sirstins is a transformational coach and speaker who empowers individuals to unlock their potential and create lasting personal and professional growth. Drawing on his background in athletics, leadership, and personal development, Rob helps others reframe challenges as opportunities, develop resilience, and pursue fulfillment with clarity and purpose. His work centers on guiding people through self-reflection and intentional action so they can break through limitations, achieve meaningful success, and live empowered lives. Connect with Rob: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robsirstins/ Website: https://www.robsirstins.com --- Did something in this episode resonate with you? Check out Unbreakable Wealth, a private community for conscious entrepreneurs, high performers, and athletes ready to build multidimensional wealth beyond just money. It is the space for the conversations you cannot have anywhere else. If you are ready to live, lead, and build from alignment, you are in the right place. Learn more and apply now: https://go.unbreakablewealth.com/vsl-long

Anthony Vicino once believed financial wins meant freedom. He went from living in a van and scaling cliffs to building million-dollar businesses - only to see it all collapse when betrayal and bankruptcy left him in serious debt. In this raw episode, Anthony shares how losing millions didn’t just reset his bank account - it reshaped his definition of wealth, purpose, and what a rich life truly looks like. We dive into: -How van life and rock climbing shaped Anthony’s earliest views on money and freedom. -The intoxicating highs of business success - and the devastating crash of losing it all. -How Anthony rebuilt a vision of success rooted in agency, community, and presence. -Why financial collapse can be the gateway to deeper self-discovery and resilience. -How he transformed his ADHD into his superpower. This isn’t a conversation about managing money - it's an honest reflection on failure, resilience, and rediscovering what truly makes life meaningful. About Anthony Vicino: Anthony Vicino is a best-selling author and serial entrepreneur who transformed his life from $80,000 in debt while living in a van to building successful businesses and a large real estate portfolio, at its peak worth over $85 million. He is known for turning his ADHD into a superpower and helping other entrepreneurs maximize their "Return on Life." Connect with Anthony: Website: https://anthonyvicino.com/ Youtube: YouTube.com/anthonyvicino Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theanthonyvicino/ _________ Did something in this episode resonate with you? Check out Unbreakable Wealth, a private community for conscious entrepreneurs, high performers, and athletes ready to build multidimensional wealth beyond just money. It is the space for the conversations you cannot have anywhere else. If you are ready to live, lead, and build from alignment, you are in the right place. Learn more and apply now: https://go.unbreakablewealth.com/vsl-long

For years, Derek Coburn watched high achievers sacrifice health and joy in pursuit of a “magic number” they believed would bring freedom - only to feel empty when they reached it. In this powerful episode, Derek flips the script on traditional financial wisdom and reveals a truth most advisors won’t say out loud. We dive into: •How to design a life so aligned and fulfilling you’d never want to retire from it. •The hidden cost of postponing happiness and why “later” is the most expensive word in wealth. •How to create a richer life than any spreadsheet can show. •Why chasing the perfect number can leave you empty - and what actually delivers freedom. •Practical shifts to invest in the present - not just the future. This isn’t a conversation about money management. It’s a wake-up call to stop deferring your life and start living the wealth you’re working so hard to build - right now. About Derek Coburn Derek Coburn is an entrepreneur and financial advisor with over twenty-seven years of experience and the USA Today Bestselling Author of "Let's Retire Retirement: How to Live Your Life to the Fullest—Now and Later." His passion for connecting remarkable professionals led him, along with his wife, Melanie, to found CADRE, an exclusive "un-networking" community for CEOs and entrepreneurs. An advocate for prioritizing experiences over material success, Derek enjoys traveling and live music, and values being a husband and father above all else. Connect with Derek Website: https://www.derekcoburn.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cadredc/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derekcoburn Check out his book, Let's Retire Retirement: How to Enjoy Life to the Fullest―Now and Later: https://a.co/d/dXAlA8u _________ Did something in this episode resonate with you? Check out Unbreakable Wealth, a private community for conscious entrepreneurs, high performers, and athletes ready to build multidimensional wealth beyond just money. It is the space for the conversations you cannot have anywhere else. If you are ready to live, lead, and build from alignment, you are in the right place. Learn more and apply now: https://go.unbreakablewealth.com/vsl-long

What does it take to unlock your full potential, and why do so many high achievers sabotage themselves before they reach the top? In this conversation, I sit down with world-renowned hypnotherapist and mindset coach Elliot Roe, whose clients include world champion poker players, UFC fighters, Wall Street traders, and entrepreneurs. We dive into: How childhood experiences quietly program your “wealth thermostat” and self-worth. The hidden fears of rejection, isolation, and even success that keep talented people playing small. Why giving 90% effort feels safe but guarantees mediocrity - and what happens when you finally give 100%. The surprising truth about money: why even nine-figure exits and luxury purchases rarely deliver lasting happiness. How shifting from “dirty fuel” (proving yourself) to “clean fuel” (service and flow) creates both freedom and world-class performance. This episode reveals the mindset work behind real success and fulfillment. About Elliot Roe Elliot Roe is a leading expert in Mindset Optimization for High Performers and is the world’s #1 Mindset Coach for poker players. His poker clients have won over $250,000,000 and nearly every major tournament title, including the World Series of Poker Main Event. Elliot’s clientele also includes Olympic medalists, UFC Champions, Hollywood Actors, Business executives and wall street traders. His unique mindset coaching system leverages the power of hypnotherapy to eliminate fears and breakthrough mental roadblocks allowing you to operate in a state of peak performance every day. Connect with Elliot Website: www.elliotroe.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elliotroe/?hl=en X: https://x.com/elliotroe1?lang=en Download his app Primed Mind: https://primedmind.com/ Check out his book, A-Game Poker: https://a.co/d/c2q9VM4 _________ Did something in this episode resonate with you? Check out Unbreakable Wealth, a private community for conscious entrepreneurs, high performers, and athletes ready to build multidimensional wealth beyond just money. It is the space for the conversations you cannot have anywhere else. If you are ready to live, lead, and build from alignment, you are in the right place. Learn more and apply now: https://go.unbreakablewealth.com/vsl-long

It started with a joke from his childhood. Dave’s mom told him they could afford a new bra for her or hockey gear for him. Then something snapped. That moment became more than a memory, it became a mission - he would never let money limit the life he wanted to live. And so he chased that life - financial freedom, independence and success on paper. But the higher he climbed, the more disconnected he felt, until it all came crashing down. In this deeply personal conversation, Dave and I walk through the messy moments behind the hustle. From selling stolen video games as a teen, to leading a company to success while his marriage silently unraveled. We unpack: The tiny, quiet traumas we carry from childhood and how they shape our drive How independence became Dave’s shield, and what it was really protecting Why financial control can still leave you feeling emotionally bankrupt The walkout moment that forced him to rewrite his whole story of success What it actually looks like to build wealth with your family - not just for them Why vulnerability isn’t weakness, it’s leadership (especially at home) About Dave Inglis: Dave Inglis is a Canadian leadership and couples coach, speaker, and author of Chief Family Officer. He’s the founder of Strategic Solitude, where he guides high-achieving leaders to step out of the noise and into deeper alignment. Dave’s worked with everyone from startups to the Royal Canadian Air Force - but it’s his lived experience that hits hardest. He’s not here to perform wisdom—he’s here to live it. Connect with Dave: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dave_inglis_/?hl=en Check out his book, Chief Family Offer: https://a.co/d/7s0Vzkt _________ Did something in this episode resonate with you? Check out Unbreakable Wealth, a private community for conscious entrepreneurs, high performers, and athletes ready to build multidimensional wealth beyond just money. It is the space for the conversations you cannot have anywhere else. If you are ready to live, lead, and build from alignment, you are in the right place. Learn more and apply now: https://go.unbreakablewealth.com/vsl-long

What happens when you climb all the ladders you were told to, only to realize they may be leaning on the wrong wall? Shane Fuhrman has worn many hats: attorney, entrepreneur, public servant, and now founder of a hospitality brand redefining the art of atmosphere. His journey has spanned courtrooms, boutique hotels, and community leadership, but the deeper thread has been the same: how do you pursue ambition without losing presence? In this conversation, Shane shares what the mountains taught him about slowing down, why hospitality is more than service, and how creating spaces where people feel seen can be the deepest form of prosperity. We explore the lessons of leading a community through growth, the struggles of carrying big vision while avoiding burnout, and what it looks like to live in alignment with both place and purpose. About Shane Fuhrman Shane Fuhrman is the founder of VALEA, a hospitality brand rooted in the art of atmosphere and host culture. He previously practiced law, developed and operated a portfolio of boutique mountain properties including The Wyman Hotel and The Rochester Hotel, and served in public office in Silverton, Colorado, guiding the town through complex development initiatives while fostering community trust and sustainable growth. Connect with Shane Website: www.discovervalea.comInstagram: @shanefuhrmanLinkedIn: Shane Fuhrman Start the conversation: info@goldlakehospitality.com  _________ Did something in this episode resonate with you? Check out Unbreakable Wealth, a private community for conscious entrepreneurs, high performers, and athletes ready to build multidimensional wealth beyond just money. It is the space for the conversations you cannot have anywhere else. If you are ready to live, lead, and build from alignment, you are in the right place. Learn more and apply now: https://go.unbreakablewealth.com/vsl-long

Jeff Burningham has lived many lives. At 13 he was scrubbing carpets just to afford basketball shoes. Fast forward to today, he has built billion-dollar firms, traveled to more than 60 countries, run for Governor of Utah, and served as a Bishop in his church. From the outside, it looked like he had it all. But on a family trip to Mexico, Jeff realized he had missed the first 11 months of his daughter’s life. The question that followed changed everything: what good is success if you are not present for the moments that matter? In this episode, Jeff opens up about the cost of chasing and the surprising lessons that came through therapy, meditation, and even failure. We talk about the moments when ambition collides with family, the tension between building and being, and how AI is forcing all of us to wrestle with the question: if machines can do more and more, what does it mean to truly be human? This conversation is an invitation to rethink wealth, presence, and purpose. It is about slowing down enough to actually feel your own life, and discovering that the things you thought were the summit might just be the starting point. About Jeff Burningham Jeff Burningham is a tech entrepreneur, investor, and author based in Provo, Utah. He has built and invested in hundreds of companies, guided a congregation of over 500 people as a Bishop, and recently published The Last Book Written by a Human, a personal exploration of what it means to live fully in the age of AI. Connect with Jeff Website: jeffburningham.com Instagram: @jeffburningham TikTok: @jeff.burningham LinkedIn: Jeff Burningham Order The Last Book Written by a Human today. https://a.co/d/1kMTlR4 _________ Did something in this episode resonate with you? Check out Unbreakable Wealth, a private community for conscious entrepreneurs, high performers, and athletes ready to build multidimensional wealth beyond just money. It is the space for the conversations you cannot have anywhere else. If you are ready to live, lead, and build from alignment, you are in the right place. Learn more and apply now: https://go.unbreakablewealth.com/vsl-long

For years, Colin O’Farrell worked in the oil and gas industry, learning firsthand how deals are structured and value is created. He went on to co-found a private equity-backed company that delivered three times the investors’ money in less than two years. But when the deal closed, the personal toll was undeniable. On his last day of employment, he underwent major lower back surgery after a crushed disc damaged the nerve that controlled his left ankle, leaving his foot dragging on the floor. It was the breaking point after years of stress, long hours, and a pace that left no room for recovery. In this episode, Colin shares the realities of rapid growth and what comes after a major exit. He talks about the challenge of deciding the next move, the lessons learned from investing time, energy, and capital too quickly, and how he has shifted to building from a place of clarity and alignment. We unpack: • The advantage of building equity positions early • Why taking a pause after a big win can be more valuable than rushing into the next deal • The personal cost of overextending time, energy, and capital • How to assess risk and opportunity with a clear head • Why true wealth is measured by the yield of your assets relative to your burn Connect with Colin LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colin-o-farrell-364a015a/ Company Website: https://www.enclosureenergy.com/ Did something in this episode resonate with you? Check out Unbreakable Wealth, a private community for conscious entrepreneurs, high performers, and athletes ready to build multidimensional wealth beyond just money. It is the space for the conversations you cannot have anywhere else. If you are ready to live, lead, and build from alignment, you are in the right place. Learn more and apply now: https://go.unbreakablewealth.com/vsl-long

For five years, he played in the NYC subways just to pay his bills. Then he got the call, and within a year, he was headlining Red Rocks. But his real transformation didn't start on stage. It began backstage, watching his 72-year-old musical hero admit he was still grinding just because he "needed the money." In this episode, Lyle Divinsky unpacks the beautiful, brutal reality of life as a touring musician. He shares his journey from the subway platform to the stadium stage, and the moment he realized that passion alone doesn't guarantee security. This isn’t just a story about making it in music. It’s about rewriting a money story that was never about scarcity, but about absence—and finding a new way to blend service, passion, and prosperity. We unpack: • From subway platforms to headlining Red Rocks: What it’s like to achieve your wildest dreams. • The backstage conversation with a musical legend that revealed the dark side of a life pursuing passion. • Why he quit a famous band at the height of its success to “go straight back to the bottom.” • When "money is other": Rewriting a lifelong money story that never had a villain. • From artist imposter syndrome to founder: How a musician learned to build a business. • His new mission: Unlocking the power of the human voice for wellness. About Lyle Divinsky: Lyle Divinsky is a singer, songwriter, and sonic alchemist whose voice carries the grit of soul, the heart of folk, and the improvisational spirit of funk. Whether he’s fronting a crowd of thousands or guiding an intimate healing experience, Lyle uses music as a bridge—between people, between worlds, and back to self. He rose to national acclaim as the lead vocalist for The Motet, lighting up stages from Red Rocks to Bonnaroo. But his work goes beyond performance. He built a career as a songwriter in Nashville, New York, and Los Angeles, crafting songs for emerging and established artists across genres, channeling personal stories into fully produced, emotionally resonant anthems. He also works with leaders, couples, and communities to help them reclaim their creative voice and reconnect with what matters most. Today, Lyle is pouring his passion for the transformative power of the voice into atune—the first-ever vocal wellness platform helping people build confidence, deepen connection, and find grounding through the sound of their own voice. For Lyle, music is not just entertainment—it is medicine. The right song at the right moment can change everything. This is a conversation about chasing a dream. More importantly, it’s about what you do when you finally catch it. Connect with Lyle: Website: https://www.lyledivinsky.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lyledivinsky/ Join the waitlist + get early access to atune: www.atune.co Interested in investing or getting involved? Email Lyle at lyle@atune.co Did something in this episode stir something in you? Unbreakable Wealth is a private community for conscious entrepreneurs, high performers, and athletes ready to build multidimensional wealth—beyond just money. It’s the space for the conversations you can’t have anywhere else. If you're ready to live, lead, and build from alignment... you're in the right place. Learn more and apply now: https://go.unbreakablewealth.com/vsl-long

At 10 years old, he stood in a cold bus station and vowed to do whatever it took to escape scarcity. He succeeded, founding, scaling, and exiting a natural remedies company. But Ret Taylor’s real transformation began on a frozen mountainside on Denali, when he finally admitted the truth: he was idolizing the wrong thing. In this episode, Ret unpacks the invisible script that drives so many entrepreneurs: the belief that value only comes from struggle. He reveals why the advice to "follow your passion" can be so dangerous, sharing how he built a purpose-driven company only to find himself trapped in a "zone of competence," staring at spreadsheets instead of living his truth. This isn’t just a story about exiting a company. It’s about identity, alignment, and the quiet courage to let go of the oars and trust the current. We unpack: • Why following your passion can be dangerous advice—and the subtle difference between passion and true alignment. • How to stop idolizing "the hard thing" and finally let go of the oars. • How a single coaching question helped him let go of worry and unlock the solution to save his business. • Why your deepest lessons are found in your biggest challenges. • How nature and discomfort can bring you back to yourself. • Redefining what it means to live a rich life beyond the bank account. About Ret Taylor: Ret Taylor is a transformational coach, retreat leader, and recovering entrepreneur. He helps high-performing founders and leaders reconnect with what truly matters by guiding them into the wild—both outside and within. Through his practice Reconnect // Rise, Ret blends nature, challenge, and deep inner work to spark what he calls a “deep remembering”—of strength, clarity, and the wild man within. His upcoming book, The Misogi Challenge, explores how discomfort can bring us back to ourselves. This is a conversation about success. But more than that, it’s about what it costs—and when it’s time to choose alignment. Connect with Ret: Website: https://www.rettaylor.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rettaylor/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rettaylor_/ Did something in this episode stir something in you? Unbreakable Wealth is a private community for conscious entrepreneurs, high performers, and athletes ready to build multidimensional wealth—beyond just money. It’s the space for the conversations you can’t have anywhere else. If you're ready to live, lead, and build from alignment... you're in the right place. Learn more and apply now: https://go.unbreakablewealth.com/vsl-long

Philip McKernan was $200 from broke, drowning in debt, and silently unraveling in the shadows of a failed real estate venture. But in the silence of that low point, he finally said the words that would change everything: “I’m gonna f-ing do this coaching thing.” In this raw and unflinching conversation, Philip shares the untold story behind his reinvention. He takes us through the emotional reckoning that forced him to confront his relationship with money, his identity as a provider, and the illusions that kept him stuck. This is a conversation about stripping everything back until what is left is real - and worth living for. What We Unpack • How inherited money scripts shaped Philip's self-worth and nearly sabotaged his future • The real story behind losing everything in real estate and the moment he almost didn't recover • Why “I don't know what I want” is a lie and what is really beneath it • The invisible cost of chasing money even for the right reasons • How to access the third mountain: from success to service • Why true connection requires vulnerability, not performance About Philip McKernan Philip McKernan is a speaker, author, and guide for leaders ready to stop performing and start living in truth. Through his SoulSet philosophy and transformative retreats at BraveCastle in Ireland, he helps entrepreneurs, athletes, and high-achievers uncover their deepest gifts and align with their real purpose. He has built an orphanage in Peru, survived an elephant chase in Nigeria, and now holds space for others to reclaim their inner courage - because he knows what it costs to abandon yourself. This is a conversation about wealth, yes. But more than that, it is about reclaiming your permission. To stop hiding. To trust your gift. And to finally come home to yourself. Connect with Philip Website: https://philipmckernan.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/philip_mckernan/ Twitter/X: https://x.com/philipmckernan LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philip-mckernan/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@philipmckernan

He grew up skipping school to clean houses, so his mom wouldn’t drown in debt. Now he runs one of the top U.S. tax firms in Europe. But Ryan Larson’s real transformation didn’t start with money. It started the night he stood in his dream home, holding his wife, and finally admitted the truth: he was miserable. In this episode, Ryan unpacks the invisible weight entrepreneurs carry: the grind, the scarcity, the self-betrayal, and what it takes to finally break the cycle. This isn’t just a conversation about tax strategy. It’s about identity, inner wealth, and the quiet courage to rebuild your life from the inside out. We unpack: • Why financial security didn’t bring peace and what finally did • The burnout moment that forced Ryan to rewrite his internal story • How the “scarcity script” hijacks success (and how to escape it) • The role of service in transforming from survival to significance • Building resilience through daily rituals, not just business wins • Why vulnerability, not hustle, is the path to real connection About Ryan Larson: Ryan Larson is the founder of US Tax Services AG, one of the most trusted American tax firms in Europe. From cleaning houses in Alaska to running a multi-national firm in Zurich, he’s lived both sides of the financial spectrum. His real work now is helping globally mobile clients and fellow founders align prosperity with purpose. This is a conversation about money. But more than that, it’s about choosing yourself. Connect with Ryan: Website: https://www.ustaxservices.ch/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-larson-a520312b/