Summary In this episode of Retrieving Sanity, host Keegan Read engages with guests Alan Lazaros and Kevin Palmieri to explore the themes of recovery, personal development, and the journey of turning passion into a profitable business. They discuss the evolution of their podcast, Next Level University, and the importance of setting boundaries in helping others while navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship. The conversation delves into the balance of passion, purpose, and profit, the courage to face success and failure, and the impact of criticism on personal growth. In this engaging conversation, Alan Lazaros, Kevin Palmieri, and Keegan Read delve into the complexities of personal growth, responsibility, and the balance between self-worth and success. They explore the challenges of maintaining relationships while pursuing ambitious goals, the importance of reflecting on past experiences to inform future decisions, and the necessity of vulnerability in personal and professional development. The discussion emphasizes the significance of setting goals, the invisible nature of daily progress, and the potential regrets of not reaching one’s full potential. Ultimately, the conversation serves as a motivational guide for listeners seeking to navigate their own journeys of growth and fulfillment. Check out their website here: https://www.nextleveluniverse.com/ Takeaways Next Level University started as a passion project. Turning passion into profit requires commitment and boundaries. Setting boundaries is crucial in helping professions. Martyrdom can hinder personal growth and effectiveness. Goal boundaries are essential for maintaining relationships. Success can lead to feelings of villainization. Fulfilled individuals do not engage in negativity. Criticism often reflects the critic’s own struggles. Courage is needed to face both success and failure. Self-worth is vital in navigating external criticism. The more you age, the less time you have available. It’s alarmingly selfless to the point where that almost burnt the business. My social life is very challenging, but my real life is magnificent. From day to day, progress is invisible, but from month to month, it is impossible to miss. You will regret not reaching your full potential. If you don’t grow and set goals, the pool goes away. Vulnerability is necessary because it requires courage. Fear of success is more dangerous than fear of failure. What you’re capable of long term is unbelievable. You have to learn how to swim to stay in the pool. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Recovery and Personal Growth 01:47 The Evolution of Next Level University 03:26 Turning Passion into Purpose and Profit 07:31 Setting Boundaries in Helping Others 10:31 Balancing Goals and Relationships 14:45 The Challenges of Entrepreneurial Commitment 18:01 Facing Fear and Embracing Failure 18:59 Handling Criticism and Misunderstanding 21:05 The Weight of Misunderstanding and Villainization 21:49 Dealing with Critics and Negative Influences 25:27 Self-Worth and Reminders of Purpose 28:54 Reflecting on Progress and Self-Belief 32:45 Learning from the Past to Build the Future 36:00 The Importance of Goals and Mentorship 37:04 Game Show Segment: Fear vs. Success 39:38 Self-Belief vs. Self-Worth 40:58 The Challenge of Consistency 41:24 Inward vs. Outward Growth 42:20 Metrics vs. Vulnerability 45:49 Regret vs. Fear of Success #RetrievingSanity #MentalHealthPodcast #MentalHealthAwareness #NextLevelUniversity #PersonalGrowth #PersonalDevelopment #Recovery #Healing #Passion #Purpose #Entrepreneurship #Coaching #Self-Worth #Success #Consistency #Metrics #Vulnerability #Regret