Growth Now Movement with Justin Schenck

What if the key to becoming a better leader isn't pushing harder—but learning how to regulate yourself better? This week on the Growth Now Movement, I welcome back my good friend Angus Nelson for the first time in nearly five years. A lot has changed since our last conversation. Angus moved from Nashville to Portugal, rebuilt parts of his life and business from the ground up, and discovered some powerful lessons about leadership, fulfillment, stress, and what it truly means to thrive. As an executive coach and the author of Neuro Resilient Leader, Angus has spent years helping entrepreneurs, executives, and high performers navigate uncertainty, burnout, and the overwhelming pace of modern life. In this conversation, he breaks down why so many successful people are struggling right now and why the answer isn't more hustle—it's learning how to regulate your nervous system and lead from a place of clarity and composure. We dive into the concept of neuro resilience, which Angus describes as your ability to adapt, recover, and stay grounded when life throws challenges your way. He shares his powerful C3 Framework—Clarity, Capacity, and Composure—and explains how leaders can stop operating in constant reaction mode and start creating sustainable success. We also talk about the dangers of chasing validation, how AI is reshaping leadership, why so many people feel disconnected despite their achievements, and the simple daily practices Angus uses to stay centered and focused. This episode is packed with practical wisdom for entrepreneurs, leaders, and anyone looking to create more peace, purpose, and fulfillment without sacrificing ambition. In This Episode, We Discuss: Why Angus moved to Portugal and how it transformed his perspective The hidden connection between burnout and nervous system dysregulation What neuro resilience is and why every leader needs it How high performers can accomplish more by doing less The C3 Framework: Clarity, Capacity, and Composure The dangers of living for external validation Practical ways to regulate stress and anxiety The impact AI is having on leadership and decision-making Angus's 10-minute daily mindset practice His definition of success and the legacy he hopes to leave behind If you're feeling stretched thin, overwhelmed, or simply looking for a better way to lead and live, this conversation is exactly what you need.

In this episode of the Growth Now Movement, I reconnect with entrepreneur and visionary builder Chuck Balsamo for the first time in five years, and this conversation dives deep into productivity, focus, entrepreneurship, family, legacy, and the systems required to build something truly meaningful. Chuck shares what life has looked like during the last several years of building new ventures, staying intensely focused on growth, and learning how to protect both his energy and his time while still showing up for the people who matter most. We talk extensively about the importance of building "fortresses" of productivity by intentionally designing environments that reduce distraction, minimize decision fatigue, and create opportunities for deep work. Chuck explains how time blocking, routines, boundaries, and intentional calendar management have become essential tools for both business success and personal peace. Drawing from concepts popularized by Daniel H. Pink around willpower, discipline, and habits, Chuck breaks down why most people fail to protect their focus and how entrepreneurs can create systems that allow them to perform at a higher level consistently without burning out. One of the most powerful parts of this conversation is Chuck's perspective on legacy. As his businesses have grown, he's become increasingly aware that every "yes" comes at the expense of something else, often time with family. We discuss the emotional realities of entrepreneurship, the tradeoffs that come with ambition, and why saying "no" is one of the most important skills anyone can develop. Chuck also introduces his newest venture, uSpace, a premium backyard remote workspace designed to create an undistracted environment for focused work, creativity, and productivity. He shares the origin story behind the company, the inspiration for the design, pricing and financing options, tax and ROI considerations, and his long-term vision for scaling the business into a potentially billion-dollar brand. Take a look at USPACE We also talk about: The "sprinter mindset" for work productivity Why environment shapes performance How distraction is quietly destroying creativity Why one great idea can completely change your life The importance of protecting mental space Entrepreneurship and ego Health scares that shifted Chuck's perspective on life and empathy This episode is packed with practical insights for entrepreneurs, creators, executives, remote workers, parents, and anyone trying to create more focus, balance, and intentionality in their life. In This Episode, You Will Learn: How Chuck Balsamo structures his days for maximum productivity Why creating a distraction-free environment matters The power of time blocking and hard boundaries How to reduce decision fatigue and improve focus Why saying "no" is critical for long-term success The emotional tradeoffs entrepreneurs face How environment impacts performance and creativity The origin story behind uSpace Why focused work in short bursts is more effective How health scares changed Chuck's perspective on life and legacy Timestamps 00:00 Chuck Returns 01:19 Five Years of Building Behind the Scenes 04:39 Calendars, Time Blocking, and Focus 15:50 The Science of Timing, Habits, and Willpower 21:24 Building "Fortress" Environments for Productivity 25:34 How One Great Idea Can Change Everything 30:18 Ego, Purpose, and Entrepreneurship 32:21 The Sprinter Mindset for Work 41:42 Family, Community, and Balance 48:35 Success Habits and Protecting Space 53:58 Growth Through Health Scares 56:33 Gratitude and Final Thoughts

In this episode of the Growth Now Movement, I sit down with entrepreneur, speaker, and digital marketing agency owner Mark Lebrun for a powerful conversation about transformation, faith, purpose, and building a life centered around impact. Mark and I first connected at a speaking event in Orlando, and after hearing his story, I knew I had to bring him onto the podcast. His journey is one of the most honest and inspiring stories I've heard in a long time. Growing up surrounded by gangs, drugs, and destructive environments, Mark shares how his life completely shifted after an encounter with Jesus and the influence of a friend named Patrick, who challenged him to change his environment, his habits, and the people he surrounded himself with. We dive deep into the importance of intentional relationships, the reality that success changes social dynamics, and how growth often requires letting go of environments and people that no longer align with who you're becoming. Mark opens up about navigating the end of a 16-year relationship and how that season forced him to reevaluate his life, his purpose, and the direction he truly wanted to go. We also talk about how the COVID-19 pandemic unexpectedly launched his digital marketing career. After growing to over 100,000 followers on TikTok in just four months, Mark realized there was massive opportunity in content creation, brand building, and helping businesses leverage social media effectively. He shares how he transitioned from giving away free advice online to building a successful paid consulting and agency business focused on helping others grow their influence and impact. One of the biggest takeaways from this conversation is Mark's perspective on content creation. Instead of creating content for ego or validation, he explains why the best creators focus on serving the audience first and creating content that genuinely solves problems and transforms lives. This episode is about more than marketing or entrepreneurship. It's about identity, faith, healing, relationships, purpose, discipline, and learning how to build a life that actually matters. Mark also shares his long-term vision of creating a movement that provides resources, opportunities, and a non-traditional environment for inner-city communities to experience Christ across industries including business, media, entrepreneurship, and creativity. If you've ever felt stuck in your environment, struggled with fear around showing up online, or wondered whether real transformation is possible, this conversation will challenge and inspire you. In This Episode, You Will Learn: How Mark Lebrun transformed his life from gangs and drugs to purpose Why changing your environment changes your future The importance of intentional relationships and mentorship How faith helped Mark discover his calling What happens to relationships when success enters your life How Mark gained 100,000 TikTok followers in four months Why audience-focused content always performs better How to overcome fear of being on camera The difference between influence and impact Mark's definition of success and daily habits for growth Timestamps 00:00 Who Mark Lebrun Is Today 01:43 From Streets, Gangs, and Drugs to Faith 04:16 Mentorship and Choosing the Right Circle 06:15 Why Intentional Relationships Matter 09:28 How Success Changes People Around You 13:19 The COVID TikTok Breakthrough 18:50 Creating Content That Actually Helps People 22:46 Building a Bigger Mission and Movement 26:12 How to Push Past Camera Fear 29:56 Defining Success and Daily Habits 37:20 Family, Growth, and Final Thoughts

In this episode of the Growth Now Movement, I sit down with differentiation expert, branding strategist, and bestselling author Mark Levy for a fascinating conversation about what truly makes ideas spread. Mark has worked with some of the biggest brands and thought leaders in the world, including Google, Adobe, Amazon, and American Express. But one of the most incredible stories he shares in this episode is how he helped an unknown Simon Sinek articulate the idea that would eventually become Start With Why and the now-famous Golden Circle framework. We dive deep into what makes an idea memorable, how to communicate your message more effectively, and why so many people struggle to articulate the brilliance that's already inside of them. Mark explains how his background pitching more than 25,000 books as a sales director taught him how attention works, how curiosity works, and why emotion always beats logic when it comes to influence and connection. He shares practical tools for entrepreneurs, speakers, coaches, creators, and business owners who feel like they have a "half-formed" idea but don't know how to clearly express it. One of my favorite parts of this conversation is when Mark breaks down his concept of the "vision deliverable" and how directing feedback properly can completely change the way people respond to your ideas. We also talk about the power of free writing from his book Accidental Genius, how to bypass your internal editor, and why creativity often shows up when you stop trying so hard to force it. We also explore why "illogical" branding can create unforgettable companies, including the fascinating story behind Red Bull and how they built a category-defining brand by doing the unexpected. This episode is packed with insights on branding, messaging, creativity, thought leadership, marketing psychology, communication, and personal growth. If you've ever struggled to explain what you do, communicate your vision, or stand out in a crowded marketplace, this conversation will absolutely shift the way you think. In This Episode, You Will Learn: How Mark Levy helped Simon Sinek develop "Start With Why" Why differentiation is the key to standing out in business How to articulate ideas that feel unfinished or unclear The power of free writing to unlock creativity and clarity Why emotion and experience matter more than information How Red Bull built one of the most memorable brands in the world Why useful feedback requires intentional direction How to overcome your internal editor and self-doubt What makes certain speakers, brands, and ideas unforgettable Mark's definition of success and the daily habits that fuel his creativity

In this episode, I sit down with Charles T. Lee, founder of Ideation and author of Design Your Good Life, to unpack what it really means to live with purpose in a world that constantly pulls you in a hundred different directions. Charles works with high-level leaders and executives, helping them gain clarity early and then execute on brand, vision, and impact. But what I love about this conversation is that we go way beyond business strategy. We get into the real stuff… purpose, legacy, relationships, and how to actually design a life that feels aligned. One of the biggest takeaways for me is how Charles reframes purpose. Instead of this one big thing you're supposed to figure out for the rest of your life, he talks about purpose as something agile, something seasonal, and something you can actually take action on right now. That shift alone is powerful. We also break down his three-phase framework from the book: Spark, Actualize, and Influence. This gives you a practical roadmap to move from curiosity and ideas to real execution and impact. It's not just theory. It's something you can apply immediately. We talk a lot about relationships too. Who you surround yourself with, how to filter the right people into your life, and why generosity and stewardship are the foundation of any meaningful legacy. Charles makes a strong case that success isn't just about what you build, but who you build it with and how you show up along the way. We also dive into AI and where the world is heading. Instead of fearing it, Charles believes it should actually free us up to focus more on human connection, deeper thinking, and intentional living. That perspective really hit home for me. This conversation is for anyone who feels like they've been checking the boxes but still wants more clarity, more alignment, and more purpose in their life. In This Episode, You Will Learn: Why purpose is not fixed and how to adapt it through different seasons of life The three-phase framework to design a meaningful and impactful life How to move from ideas to execution and real-world value Why relationships are the foundation of legacy and long-term success How to filter the right people into your life using curiosity and authenticity A new way to think about AI and how it can enhance human connection Daily habits and mindset shifts that lead to a more aligned life How to focus on your core strengths instead of trying to do everything