What if the move you’re craving isn’t a dramatic leap… but a measured, strategic shift you build step by step? In this episode of Code 3: Life. Reinvented., I sit down with Shannon Lundgren — a former Wells Fargo leader I worked with years ago (and always admired for her polish, presence, and leadership). Since then, she’s made a powerful transition from corporate success to entrepreneurship — and her journey is full of lessons for anyone who feels stuck in the “illusion of safety.” We start with Shannon’s unforgettable story about going after Warren Buffett while at Harvard Business School — and what happened when she followed a bold instinct, took action, and created an opportunity that didn’t exist five minutes earlier. From there, we dig into the real arc of her reinvention: Why corporate life slowly dulled her spark How her entrepreneurial side went dormant (and what woke it back up) Why entrepreneurship doesn’t have to be a trust fall with the universe How she “toe-dipped” for years, built proof, learned through a detour, and eventually made the leap with confidence Shannon also shares a framework that changed everything for her — a simple but powerful model that connects thoughts → feelings → actions → results, and how you can use it to shift your life starting today. If you’re an accomplished professional who’s feeling the pull toward something more — but you’re not willing to gamble your life on a wild leap — this conversation is for you. And if someone you know is single and looking for love, Shannon’s work might surprise you (in the best way). To learn more about Shannon please visit her site, ⁠Shannon's Circle⁠. To learn about MORE, please go to ⁠bemorealdigned.com⁠. Let’s get into it.

Success. We chase it, sacrifice for it, and organize our lives around it. And then—quietly, unexpectedly—it stops working. In this solo episode, I unpack the moment many high achievers eventually face: when the definition of success that once drove you no longer fits who you’ve become. I share my own story—golden handcuffs, external wins, relentless pressure, and the wake-up call that forced me to get brutally honest after a widowmaker heart attack. I talk about how success, as I was living it, was slowly killing me—and why redefining it wasn’t optional. We explore how culture, family, and industry scripts shape our idea of success… and why so many accomplished professionals end up overachieving yet deeply underfulfilled. Burnout. Numbness. Sunday dread. The quiet feeling that something is off, even when everything looks “good on paper.” I introduce what I call authentic success: success defined from the inside out. Alignment over performance. Meaning over optics. A version of success that doesn’t require you to abandon yourself. You’ll walk away with five powerful questions to help you rethink what “enough” looks like now, what you’re no longer willing to trade your life for, and who you’re actually becoming in this next chapter. This isn’t a midlife crisis. It’s a midlife clarifier. If your old definition of success isn’t cutting it anymore, this episode is an invitation to pause, get honest, and choose a version of success you don’t have to recover from. Life doesn’t wait for the perfect moment. It waits for the brave one. Let’s redefine what’s possible—together. To learn more, please visit bemorealigned.com.

In this powerful and deeply human episode, I sit down with Steve Haggerty — former Hyatt executive, private-equity partner, and now a builder of transformational wellness retreats — to explore one of the biggest truths high achievers avoid: we spend our lives doing while barely learning how to be. Steve opens up about walking away from the corporate mountaintop, the unseen emotional patterns that shaped his success, and the inner work that finally caught up with him. We talk about embodiment vs. intellect, the traps of achievement, the courage it takes to stop numbing, and why true transformation starts with radical self-honesty. He shares his journey into functional medicine, spirituality, journaling, and deep personal reflection — plus the incredible story of how a 40-day road trip and a chance encounter led him to build transformational resorts in Shenandoah and Costa Rica. This episode is for anyone who’s ever felt the quiet pull toward something deeper — a shift from performance to presence, from autopilot to awareness, from doing to being. If you’ve ever wondered why the outer success still doesn’t touch the inner ache, Steve’s wisdom will hit you right where you live.

In this solo episode, I pull back the curtain on a huge truth I’ve been avoiding: I wasn’t building the wrong business — I was solving the wrong problem. After surviving my second widowmaker heart attack, I doubled down on MORE®, thinking career wellness was the answer. But the real breakthrough hit me in a mastermind hot seat: people aren’t struggling with their careers — they’re struggling with misalignment. That quiet ache. That numb success. That “this isn’t it” feeling you can’t shake. I break down what alignment actually is — when your authenticity and ambition finally stop fighting each other — and why this shift led me to rebuild MORE® from the inside out. It’s now a destination for high achievers who look successful on paper but feel empty in their soul. And it lives at BeMoreAligned.com. If your outer life no longer matches your inner truth, this episode is your wake-up call.

In this episode of Code 3: Life Reinvented, I sit down with Milan Martin — advertising veteran and former President at Grey — to talk about how he walked away from a high-profile agency career to launch Free Spirits, a leading non-alcoholic spirits brand. Milan opens up about the moment he realized the corporate climb wasn’t his second-half game, why discomfort is a signal of metamorphosis, and how he de-risked his midlife career change with micro-actions, side hustles, and a realistic runway. We dive into the realities of ad-world drinking culture, building a business across supply chain, sales, and e-commerce, surviving a lender crisis, and redefining success as peace, purpose, and doing work you’re proud of. If you’re feeling stuck in corporate life, curious about the sober movement, or ready to start something new, this conversation is a playbook for career reinvention, entrepreneurship, and the fast-growing alcohol-free cocktail space. (Note: contains a little explicit language.) To learn more about Free Spirits, visit drinkfreespirits.com. To learn more about MORE®, visit morecareerwellness.com.

In this raw solo episode of Code 3: Life Reinvented (⚠️ contains brief explicit language), I recount the day a mountain bike ride in Marin County ended in the ER — and the three thoughts that crystallized while I was rushed to the cath lab: love (not wanting my wife to fly home a widow), presence (never leaving without telling my kids “I love you”), and will (a defiant decision to walk out on my own terms). I reflect on how near-death clarity can reset priorities, strengthen relationships, and ignite resilience for real reinvention — on and off the career path. You’ll walk away with practical prompts to practice love and presence now, and to tap your inner resolve when life blindsides you. If you're interested in learning more about MORE®, visit morecareerwellness.com.

In this episode of Code 3: Life Reinvented, I sit down with Stephanie Goodell — a MORE® coach and corporate talent leader — to unpack what most people get wrong about transformation. Stephanie draws a clear line between transition (choice-driven and shorter) and Transformation (identity-level, low agency, and often disorienting) — and explains why surrender, not control, is what truly unlocks growth. Together, we explore limiting beliefs, practical ways to reclaim choice, and how Ikigai — what you love, what you’re good at, what pays, and what the world needs — can guide your career change and sense of fulfillment. You’ll walk away with actionable tools like call-a-friend reframes, values alignment, and deep-breathing resets — plus insights into why community is the secret ingredient to resilient reinvention. If you'd like to learn more about MORE®, visit morecareerwellness.com.

In this solo episode of Code 3: Life Reinvented, I explore one of the hardest truths for high achievers — the cost of wearing masks. From playing the perfect employee to the invincible leader, I share how years of pretending nearly cost me everything, including my health. I introduce the concept of Radical Honesty — not brutal truth-telling to others, but the courage to be honest with yourself. Through raw personal stories, including surviving two widowmaker heart attacks, I show how dropping your masks can help you rediscover authenticity, alignment, and fulfillment. You’ll also learn two practical tools you can use today — the Misalignment Audit and the “I Want” Exercise — to uncover what’s real, what’s fake, and what’s next for you. Because the truth is: your career is as unique as your thumbprint — and no one else’s mold will ever fit. If you'd like to learn more about MORE®, visit morecareerwellness.com.

In this episode of Code 3: Life Reinvented, I sit down with Michael Pritchard — Emmy Award-winning comedian, former California Probation Officer of the Year, and longtime youth advocate — to explore how humor heals, why servant leadership builds real resilience, and how everyday acts of kindness create stronger communities. Michael shares powerful lessons from decades on stages and in schools — from anti-bullying programs to hospice and parolee work — along with a tender Robin Williams story and memorable “Pritch-isms” like “be the light in the tunnel,” “we is wellness,” and the dangers of blame-throwers and shame-throwers. Together, we unpack how to find purpose through service, move from success to significance, and build a habit of “making someone’s day” as a daily practice. If you’re seeking clarity, courage, and momentum, this conversation blends laughter with lived wisdom. If you'd like to learn more about MORE®, visit morecareerwellness.com.

In this solo episode of Code 3: Life Reinvented, I explore a truth most high achievers avoid: the harder you are on yourself, the faster you burn out. Drawing from my decades in corporate leadership—and two near-death wake-up calls—I share what I call The Achiever’s Paradox: that self-compassion, not self-criticism, is the true fuel for reinvention. Through stories, research, and practical exercises, I break down the three pillars of self-compassion — awareness, acceptance, and action — and show how this mindset shift builds resilience, courage, and lasting momentum. If you’ve ever felt stuck in the cycle of “not enough,” this episode will help you lay the foundation for meaningful change, starting with kindness toward yourself. If you'd like to learn more about MORE®, visit morecareerwellness.com.

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Birgit Rauchbauer to explore the fascinating role of the amygdala in processing fear and emotions. Together, we uncover how understanding this crucial part of the brain can help us better navigate life's challenges, manage stress, and embrace change. Through personal stories and expert insights, we share practical strategies to validate and tame fear, fostering emotional resilience and personal growth. Join us as we delve into the intersection of neuroscience and everyday life. If you'd like to learn more about what we're up to, please visit us at morecareerwellness.com.

In this solo episode, I, Adrian Jones (or AJ), share my journey as a two-time widowmaker heart attack survivor and introduce "Code 3: Life. Reinvented." This podcast is deeply personal, focusing on transformative life changes and the urgency of living authentically. I discuss my experiences and the importance of moving from autopilot to alignment. Through candid conversations with bold pivoters, authors, and experts, I aim to inspire you to pursue meaningful change and embrace your true self. Join me as I share hard-won lessons and frameworks to help you navigate your own path to a fulfilling life. If you're interested in learning about what we're building at MORE and how we could help you, please check us out at morecareerwellness.com.

Twice I've survived a massive widowmaker heart attack. Twice I've touched death's door and twice I've had to reevaluate everything. When my cardiologist told me to retire, I said, "No way! I have unfinished business." I asked the universe what I should do with this precious gift of life that had been bestowed upon me, and the message I received was loud and clear, and it was to help and inspire others to get more out of life. And my new mission in life was born. I'm AJ Jones, founder of More, A Destination for Accomplished Professionals at a Crossroads and host of Code 3: Life. Reinvented., where I explore how you can stop waiting for your own emergency and start living the life you want. I'll be interviewing professionals of all sorts who have made meaningful life transformations, as well as experts, luminaries, and authors who bring unique insights into the human potential and transformation space. And you'll hear from me where I'll share hard-earned life stories, concepts, and advice. Please join me on this journey when the episodes begin to drop in the fall of 2025.