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I think there's a lot of success happening, but I don’t know how much fulfillment is truly present in people’s lives. If I were to open up with a question, it would be: What would you say to someone who feels they’re achieving success but not fulfillment?

Success without fulfillment is probably the biggest failure of all. You and I have some shared history, and we come from similar backgrounds. My dad, who’s 87 now, is one of the smartest people I’ve ever known, but I see him deeply saddened. He spent his life chasing success, which never fully came, but in doing so, he missed fulfillment. He missed connection. He hasn’t spoken to his sister in 20 years and didn’t maintain relationships with his own siblings. Growing up, he was a tough, old-school Italian guy from the East Coast. He never told me he loved me as a kid, but now, every time we talk, he says it, and his eyes fill with tears. It’s bittersweet to watch a life lived without fulfillment.

I’ve had the privilege of working with Tony Robbins and seeing this pattern everywhere—people chasing success but missing fulfillment. One of the reasons is that we’re taught to focus on careers, often in fields we don’t love, and then try to “balance” work and life. But how does that work in practice? Do you walk in the door at 5:30 p.m. and magically switch off? No. This idea of separation is flawed because fulfillment isn’t about balancing; it’s about integrating. Work-life integration means finding purpose, passion, and meaning in what you do. COVID-19 amplified this realization for many. People discovered they could be financially okay but still feel empty. They started questioning why their lives lacked joy and connection.

Ed, this is something you talk about so well. Helping people align their careers or businesses with becoming the best version of themselves is where real life begins. If someone isn’t feeling fulfilled, perhaps it’s because they’re not becoming the fullest expression of who they want to be.

Recently, I had a team meeting with people under 35, and I asked: Is the American Dream still alive? What does it mean to you? The responses were fascinating. The younger team members felt it was outdated or unattainable, while the older ones saw it as a core aspiration of past generations. For me, the American Dream—or whatever you call it—is about living into your full potential. It’s about knowing you’re meant for more and doing whatever it takes to achieve it. A life without tapping into that potential is one of the saddest. The dream has been conflated with wealth, affluence, and materialism, which is why it’s become controversial. Social media perpetuates this false narrative, making it seem unattainable for most people. But true fulfillment comes from authenticity, freedom, and the opportunity to create and contribute.

We’ve all been knocked down. The question is whether you get back up. This is the craziest time politically and socially that I’ve ever seen, but you can either let it paralyze you or inspire you to take bold, creative action. Sitting still isn’t an option.

Sometimes, hard experiences are the gateway to transformation. My dad got sober because someone else—a former addict—helped him. Their pain qualified them to guide others. Similarly, the struggles you’ve faced might be the key to helping others while finding your fulfillment.

I’ve faced painful failures, especially early in my career. Coming from a blue-collar background, I often doubted myself, thinking I wasn’t smart enough or qualified. We all have two voices: one that pushes us forward and another that tells us we’re not enough. For me, it’s a constant 51-49 battle, 51% motivating and 49% doubting, with just enough belief to keep going.

The hardest experience of my life was my divorce—not the decision itself but what it triggered. Growing up, I lived through nine divorces between my parents and stepparents. I moved 20 times by the age of 20. I buried that pain by working relentlessly, determined to build financial security and control. But when my marriage ended, all those childhood wounds resurfaced. For six months, I experienced anxiety and panic attacks for the first time in my life. I felt broken. Eventually, I applied the same resilience I’d used in business to my personal life. If you’re in a storm, sometimes the only way out is through. On the other side, you’ll find a stronger version of yourself.

The truth is, we need both light and dark to drive us. Many successful people—Richard Branson, Tony Robbins, and others—were fueled by pain from their pasts. That pain can be a motivator, and there’s no shame in using it.

The fastest path to success is to model proven practices. Learn from those who’ve already done what you want to do. There is no reason on this planet to figure anything out and start at first base when you can model proven practices and start on third base. That is the fastest way to get from where you are to where you want to be

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