DiscoverCASE STUDIESChad Willardson on Living Fully Invested, Saying No to Wrong Opportunities, and Building A Legacy
Chad Willardson on Living Fully Invested, Saying No to Wrong Opportunities, and Building A Legacy

Chad Willardson on Living Fully Invested, Saying No to Wrong Opportunities, and Building A Legacy

Update: 2025-09-10
Share

Description

In this episode of Case Studies, Casey sits down once again with Chad Willardson - Founder of Pacific Capital and ELEVATED a coaching mastermind, as well as a best-selling author of five books; for a powerful conversation on wealth, focus, and building a life without compromise.


Chad shares how narrowing his focus to serve only ultra high-net worth entrepreneurs transformed his business and his ability to deliver real value. He and Casey dive into the discipline of saying no, the courage required to walk away from the wrong opportunities, and the freedom that comes from aligning your work with your true identity. Chad also opens up about creating ELEVATED, a community where entrepreneurs can grow not only in business but in family and life, challenging the false idea of “balance” by embracing what it means to be Fully Invested.


The discussion is rich with lessons on focus, growth without finish lines, and leading with principle over profit. For entrepreneurs and leaders seeking clarity, conviction, and a model of integrated success, this episode offers a masterclass in designing both business and life with intention.


00:00 | Welcome back & “Fully Invested” mindset


01:41 | Family update: missions, college, adventures


03:00 | Amber’s endurance wins: Ironman, Alcatraz, 29029


04:17 | Why growth is emotional when you support your spouse


07:31 | Bringing business principles home: family vision boards


09:33 | Kids’ ambitions: macros, sports, golf, and grit


12:05 | Two lanes: Pacific Capital UHNW founders & Elevated


13:36 | What Elevated members get weekly 1:1, pods, events


14:51 | Pricing & scale goals for Elevated


15:13 | Carving out 80% of clients to go ultra-narrow


16:13 | Partnering clients, retention, and bold focus


17:44 | The sports facility business: ops, margins, expansion


20:26 | USA Volleyball opportunity & LA mega-facility


21:22 | COVID pivot: tutoring essential workers’ kids to survive


22:42 | Content, reach, and building a movement around mindset


26:48 | Frameworks: saying no, time truth, one life calendar


29:15 | Protecting the calendar: Derby vs. son’s playoff game


33:29 | Championship teams: coach strengths, not weaknesses


36:13 | Saying no to good for great incl. NBA referrals


38:45 | Turning away $120M: culture over revenue


40:52 | Scalable mentorship: resources + voice memo workflow


44:47 | Two-EA triad: personal vs. business lanes


47:15 | Books solve real problems: 6 titles, 10-in-10 plan


49:44 | Tony & Dean’s Zenith: proximity, launches, real estate


53:23 | Owner vs operator: lessons from Business Mastery


53:53 | No retirement: growth without finish lines


55:47 | One-year vision: LA facility, 500 Elevated members


56:33 | Pacific Capital +$400M AUM; narrow by design


57:22 | Book #7 commitment & public goal setting


01:00:20 | 10k-person Fully Invested live event plan


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Comments 
00:00
00:00
x

0.5x

0.8x

1.0x

1.25x

1.5x

2.0x

3.0x

Sleep Timer

Off

End of Episode

5 Minutes

10 Minutes

15 Minutes

30 Minutes

45 Minutes

60 Minutes

120 Minutes

Chad Willardson on Living Fully Invested, Saying No to Wrong Opportunities, and Building A Legacy

Chad Willardson on Living Fully Invested, Saying No to Wrong Opportunities, and Building A Legacy