#529 How I Built a Business While Keeping My Family Life: The Plan That Let Me Quit My Job

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What if success stopped being a hope and became the obvious next step?



You’re doing a lot and still not getting what you know you’re capable of. That gap? It’s not about effort. It’s about what you’ve put in place around you.



I recently had a call with a group of high-performing men I coach, and one of them, a retired Marine and now a VP at a national company, said something that stuck with me: 



“I put something in place that didn’t allow me to fail.”



That’s what this episode is about.



Not grinding harder. Not squeezing more into your already packed day. But building the kind of structure that makes success the most likely outcome.



I walk you through how this actually plays out in real life. From my own journey in wrestling, running marathons I once hated, and building a business while working full time… to guys I coach who are scaling businesses, increasing their income, and getting real time back with their families.

And then we get practical.



What clarity actually looks like when it’s done right. Why most goals fall apart early. How your environment is either pulling you forward or keeping you stuck. And the one habit almost nobody makes time for that changes everything when they do.



If you’ve been putting in the work but the results aren’t matching, this is your episode. You’ll walk away with a different way to approach your day starting tomorrow. Listen now!









How I Built a Business While Keeping My Family Life: The Plan That Let Me Quit My Job

#528 Tony Horton on Eating, Sleeping, and Small Wins That Keep You Active for Decades

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Tony Horton says that as you age, you can still sprint uphill, climb ropes, and ski from the top of the mountain— if you start training smart.



You wake up tired, you skip mobility work, and you tell yourself you will “get back to it” next week. Sound familiar? 



This “Success for the Athletic-Minded Man” episode will stop that loop and replace it with something practical. I sat with Tony Horton, the creator of P90X, and we ripped through what actually keeps you strong, fast, and useful as you age. No fluff. No bro science. Just real tactics you can apply today.



Tony is 67 and still runs hill sprints, climbs ropes, and skis Jackson Hole. He also got hurt, fixed the weak links, and rebuilt his body around balance, range of motion, and recovery. 



We talk concrete moves like animal flow drills that force mobility and core strength, hill-sprint protocols you can scale, why short, focused sessions beat long, sloppy ones for busy men, and how to change your day with a 10-minute routine, and why the people you hang with decide whether you stay consistent.



Tony’s entire game plan is practical: keep your body durable so you can keep doing what you love. Expect solid step-by-step choices, and a reality check on diet and recovery that might make you uncomfortable, and should.



If you done with half-effort solutions, this episode hands you specific next moves. Walk away with at least two daily rituals you can start tonight and a framework for staying in the fight for decades. Now, ask yourself, who do you want to be with your body at 70?



If you don’t have time to listen to the entire episode or if you hear something that you like but don’t have time to write it down, be sure to grab your free copy of the Action Plan from this episode— as well as get access to action plans from EVERY episode— at http://www.JimHarshawJr.com/Action [http://www.jimharshawjr.com/Action]. 



Tony Horton on Eating, Sleeping, and Small Wins That Keep You Active for Decades

#527 Comfortable Drift: How Complacency Is Robbing You and What To Do About It

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“Comfortable Drift” costs you money, time with your kids, and years off your life. I walk you through the cost, the cure, and the first steps you can take this week.



You can be winning at work and still drifting in the parts of life that matter most.



In this episode of “Success for the Athletic-Minded Man,” I break down what “comfortable drift” looks like, why high performers fall into it, how to spot the warning signs, what it’s costing you in your health, relationships, purpose, and peace of mind, and what to do before years slip by and you realize you’ve been paddling in circles the whole time.



This isn’t just about burnout or lack of motivation. It’s about the danger of delayed consequences. 



When the pain is not immediate, it’s easy to stay stuck in routines that feel productive but lead nowhere. That’s why this episode is about more than awareness. It’s about action.



I share the practical framework I use with clients to break out of drift: pause long enough to think, get clear on where you want to go, set aligned goals, surround yourself with the right people, and build a plan that helps you follow through for the long haul.



If you’ve been working hard but feeling off course, this episode will help you stop drifting and start moving with intention. Hit play now!



﻿If you don’t have time to listen to the entire episode or if you hear something that you like but don’t have time to write it down, be sure to grab your free copy of the Action Plan from this episode— as well as get access to action plans from EVERY episode— at http://www.JimHarshawJr.com/Action [http://www.jimharshawjr.com/Action].  







Comfortable Drift: How Complacency Is Robbing You and What To Do About It

#526 How James Laughlin Helped a World Leader Lead Better at Home and at Work

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Most guys think high performance comes from pushing harder. James Laughlin makes the case that it starts somewhere else.

In this episode of “Success for the Athletic-Minded Man,” I sit down with James Laughlin, author of “Habits of High Performers” and a coach who has worked with the All Blacks, world champions, top CEOs, and even national leaders.

James brings a refreshing perspective on what it actually takes to perform at a high level without burning yourself out.

James shares why going alcohol-free changed everything for him, from his energy and focus to the way he shows up as a husband, father, and coach. 

We talk about the connection between hormones and performance, why sleep and meditation matter more than most men realize, and how clarity drives better decisions. 

He also explains why top performers still rely on coaches, and how failure can become one of your greatest tools for growth if you know how to process it the right way.

If you’ve been working hard but still feel stuck or stretched thin, this episode will challenge your assumptions and give you practical tools you can use right away. No fluff. No vague pep talk. Just action you can take today to stop spinning and start producing. Listen now.

If you don’t have time to listen to the entire episode or if you hear something that you like but don’t have time to write it down, be sure to grab your free copy of the Action Plan from this episode— as well as get access to action plans from EVERY episode— at http://www.JimHarshawJr.com/Action [http://www.jimharshawjr.com/Action].  

How James Laughlin Helped a World Leader Lead Better at Home and at Work

#525 Practical Habits That Will Change Your Life in 30 Days

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Thirty days of small, brutal consistency beats one weekend of heroics, every time. Want habits that last? Hear what worked for these 7 high-achieving men.



Stop punishing yourself with one-size-fits-all challenges, start building a short-term test that creates long-term wins. I show you how we did it.



You do not need another generic challenge to “fix your life” just to feel like you failed by Thanksgiving.



In this episode of “Success for the Athletic-Minded Man,” I talk with seven driven men who took on the On the Path October Challenge, a custom 30-day challenge built around one core principle: stop borrowing rules that don’t fit your life and start tracking the habits that actually move the needle.



Because if you’re a high achiever, you already know what to do. The real problem is drift. You get buried in work, you live in reaction mode, and the stuff that matters most gets whatever’s left. Then you tell yourself you’ll “get back on track” next week... Or next month… Or after things slow down.



This challenge is designed to break that pattern.



These men created custom, achievable challenges built on follow-through rather than hype. You’ll hear how small, targeted commitments sharpened their energy, focus, and discipline, and how public tracking made it a lot harder to talk a good game and then disappear when life got busy.



I also walk you through the framework so you can build your own, starting today: how to choose the right habits, keep them realistic but still challenging, set up accountability, track a simple scorecard, and avoid the overreach that leads to burnout.



Hit play now and build your 30-day challenge today. Stop letting “busy” decide who you become.



If you don’t have time to listen to the entire episode or if you hear something that you like but don’t have time to write it down, be sure to grab your free copy of the Action Plan from this episode— as well as get access to action plans from EVERY episode— at http://www.JimHarshawJr.com/Action [http://www.jimharshawjr.com/Action]. 

Practical Habits That Will Change Your Life in 30 Days

#524 How Doug Conant Turned a Failing Company into the Fortune 500's Most Engaged Workforce



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“You can’t talk your way out of something you behaved your way into.” That line changed a Fortune 500 company, and it should change how you lead your team.



When a Fortune 500 company is literally ringed in razor wire, you don’t pep-talk your way out— you do the hard, specific work of rebuilding trust.



In this “Success for the Athletic-Minded Man” episode, I sit down with Doug Conant, the CEO who walked into Campbell Soup with plunging sales, a disengaged workforce, and a headquarters in one of America’s most dangerous cities, and left it with the highest employee engagement score in the Fortune 500. 



Doug’s a student-athlete-turned-CEO who learned early that discipline matters. He played tennis at Northwestern, coached there, survived the LBO chaos at Nabisco, and then dug in at Campbell. 



He tells the story straight, how Gallup called Campbell the worst engagement case they’d seen, how Doug’s first day included firing the CFO, and how he and his team rebuilt an organization by showing up with consistency, respect, and tough-minded compassion. 



We unpack practical moves: measurable engagement targets, replacing leaders who can’t buy in, the “living, loving, learning, leaving a legacy” playbook Doug used, and the daily habits: the morning reflection, the commute rituals, the weekly appreciation, that let him be present for both the company and his family. 



If you run a business or a team and want concrete, repeatable methods for turning disengaged people into relentless team members, this episode is your field guide. Don’t miss it!



After you listen, if you’re thinking, “How do I use this in my day-to-day?”, Doug just launched STEPS (Success Through Empowering Professional Support) [https://conantleadership.com/steps-program-for-executive-assistants/], a leadership course built specifically for administrative professionals, taught by Doug himself. Use my code Harshaw10 for a discount.



If you don’t have time to listen to the entire episode or if you hear something that you like but don’t have time to write it down, be sure to grab your free copy of the Action Plan from this episode— as well as get access to action plans from EVERY episode— at http://www.JimHarshawJr.com/Action [http://www.jimharshawjr.com/Action].  

How Doug Conant Turned a Failing Company into the Fortune 500's Most Engaged Workforce

#523 Performance Under Pressure: 10 Tactics for Getting Into Flow and Overcoming Nerves

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Your business or career isn't being held back by a lack of skill or effort. It's being sabotaged by the mental operating system you're running in high-pressure moments.



Michael Chandler, one of the best UFC fighters in the world, told me he was "a small kid from a small town, taught to think small.” Your default wiring is sabotaging you the same way, even if you don't realize it.



You work hard. You show up. You prepare. But when it matters most— the big presentation, the crucial client meeting, the career-defining conversation— you're not showing up as your best self. 



I spent years learning this the hard way: performance under pressure isn't about how hard you work, it's about what's running through your head when the stakes are high.



In this “Success for the Athletic-Minded Man” episode, I'm giving you 10 mental performance tactics that helped me overcome years of self-doubt and now help high-achieving professionals dominate when pressure's on.



We're covering breath work that drops your stress response in under a minute, visualization techniques that flip the switch into flow state, and the mindset shift that turns anxiety into your advantage. 



Whether you're leading a team meeting, closing a deal, or navigating a difficult conversation, you're about to discover what separates people who perform from people who just prepare. 



Tune in now because your next big moment deserves better than nerves and self-doubt.



If you don’t have time to listen to the entire episode or if you hear something that you like but don’t have time to write it down, be sure to grab your free copy of the Action Plan from this episode— as well as get access to action plans from EVERY episode— at http://www.JimHarshawJr.com/Action [http://www.jimharshawjr.com/Action].  





Performance Under Pressure: 10 Tactics for Getting Into Flow and Overcoming Nerves

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High Performance Isn’t a Solo Sport: Why Your Network Isn’t Enough Without a Core Team (with Keith Ferrazzi)

#521 Consistency Is a Skill: How to Build It in a Noisy World

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If you want consistency, stop seeking motivation and build an environment that demands follow through.



You’re not lazy. You’re not broken. But if you keep living on autopilot, you’re going to wake up 2, 5, or 10 years from now thinking, “I thought I’d be further ahead in life by now…”



In this solo episode of “Success for the Athletic-Minded Man,” I’m calling out the biggest trap high-achieving men fall into: confusing motion with progress.



You can crush your to-do list and still be drifting because you’re not measuring what actually moves the needle.



I’ll break down the Hawthorne Effect, the simple (and brutal) truth that performance improves when it’s observed. (Translation: awareness beats willpower every time.) 



Then I’ll show you how to use the Productive Pause™ to step out of the chaos, get the general’s view of your life, and set the right leading indicators in your fitness, marriage, and business.



After this episode, you’ll walk away knowing exactly what to track, how to build real accountability, and the one weekly check in that makes consistency automatic instead of “hoping you feel motivated.” Tune in now!



If you don’t have time to listen to the entire episode or if you hear something that you like but don’t have time to write it down, be sure to grab your free copy of the Action Plan from this episode— as well as get access to action plans from EVERY episode— at http://www.JimHarshawJr.com/Action [http://www.jimharshawjr.com/Action].  



Consistency Is a Skill: How to Build It in a Noisy World

#520 How to Ask for Help Like a Confident Man (Not a Needy One) with Former Pro Baseball Player Mike Robbins



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One pitch ended Mike Robbins’ baseball dream, and forced the question most men avoid: “Now what?”



If your identity is built on performance, one setback can turn your whole life into a free fall.



Mike Robbins lived that… literally. 



He was a Stanford pitcher chasing the big leagues when one pitch blew out his arm, and eventually forced the gut-level conversation with his family: “I gotta hang it up.” 



No jersey retirement. No victory lap. Just the sudden death of the plan he’d been living for since he was seven, and the question most high-achieving men avoid because it’s terrifying: Who am I when the thing I’m best at gets taken away?



In this episode of “Success for the Athletic-Minded Man,” Mike and I go straight into the uncomfortable truth: discipline is a weapon, but it’s a terrible identity.



When you’re wired to “win at all costs,” you can look unstoppable on paper while quietly bleeding out in real life— stress up, connection down, and that constant pressure to act like you’ve got it handled. In this conversation, you’ll see exactly where that mindset helps and where it starts costing you your peace, your relationships, and your ability to actually enjoy the life you’re building.



You’ll also walk away with tools you can use immediately: a simple way to name what’s really going on in your life, a new lens on imposter syndrome that turns it into fuel instead of shame, and one practical 24-hour action step Mike gives to get unstuck. 



If you’ve been trying to “discipline” your way out of a problem that requires support, this episode will give you the reset— and the next move.



If you don’t have time to listen to the entire episode or if you hear something that you like but don’t have time to write it down, be sure to grab your free copy of the Action Plan from this episode— as well as get access to action plans from EVERY episode— at http://www.JimHarshawJr.com/Action [http://www.jimharshawjr.com/Action].  



How to Ask for Help Like a Confident Man (Not a Needy One) with Former Pro Baseball Player Mike Robbins

Clarity. Focus. Consistency. Hallmarks of championship athletes. And hallmarks of the most successful men in business and life. 

How can you claim those traits in your life now? You want to make lots of money, have a great marriage, and be a dedicated father while crushing fitness goals along the way but maybe you feel like you're always shortchanging at least one area. 

Or maybe you feel like you want to be more consistent. More focuses. 

Maybe you just need a clear vision for what your future looks like— a clear goal to pursue. 

Jim Harshaw, Jr. is an NCAA Division I All-American wrestler and former Division I head coach. And he's an executive performance coach who will help you create the plan to unlock your potential. 

He coaches motivated men to gain clarity, focus, and consistency in business and life using a unique framework inspired by world-class performers so that they can lead meaningful lives of purpose and impact. 

"Success for the Athletic-Minded Man" is a podcast dedicated to the driven, professional, athletic-minded man in the pursuit of excellence. Each episode dives into success habits for men who balance the rigors of professional development with the challenges of excelling in their personal lives. Our conversations explore how men can apply the principles of peak performance in sports to everyday life.

Listen as he discusses strategies for mastering goal setting, consistency, work-life balance, and health. We dissect high-performance habits of athletes as they relate to helping men achieve clarity, focus, and consistency. 

Through interviews with elite athletes and coaches as well as thought leaders, we unpack athletic life lessons tailored to you, the athletic-minded man. "Success for the Athletic-Minded Man" is not just a podcast—it’s a resource for any man eager to thrive in business and life.

Jim Harshaw

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