Code 3: Life. Reinvented.

AJ Jones, Founder, MORE® — Aligned Reinvention Guide
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I’m AJ Jones. Twice, a massive widowmaker heart attack nearly ended my life. Twice, I walked away with more than just a second chance. And twice I had to rethink everything. After a 20+ year career with firms like Schwab, BlackRock, and Wells Fargo, my cardiologist told me to retire. Instead, I doubled down on a new mission: to help people stop living on autopilot and start redefining what’s possible. Or put another way, with all due respect to my cardiologist I have unfinished business. Code 3: Life. Reinvented. is not another career podcast. It’s a wake-up call. Each episode is real and urgent. Hear conversations with bold pivoters who left comfort and “success” behind to pursue something meaningful, and with authors and experts who study transformation. We’ll emphasize bringing their stories and techniques into your reality.  And you’ll hear from me: unfiltered lessons, radical honesty, and a playbook for reinventing your life before it breaks you. If you’re a high-achieving professional who knows something has to change, this is your siren. Don’t wait for a crisis to force reinvention. This is your Code 3. Code 3: Life. Reinvented. is an initiative of MOREⓇ, an aligned reinvention company. Brought to you by The More Project, Inc.: https://www.bemorealigned.com

  1. 26 min ago

    How to Accept Yourself, Break Free From Golden Handcuffs, and Reinvent Your Life | Nadja Taranczewski

    What if the parts of ourselves we judge most harshly aren’t trying to sabotage us but protect us? In this deeply personal conversation, I sit down with psychologist, executive coach, and ConsciousU founder Nadjeschda “Nadja” Taranczewski to explore self-acceptance, identity, consciousness, intergenerational trauma, and the inner conflicts that can keep us trapped in lives we have outgrown. Nadja shares how falling in love with a woman at age 29 forced her to confront beliefs and prejudices she never knew she carried—and how learning to meet those hidden parts of herself with compassion transformed her relationship and her life. She also reveals how her family’s experiences during World War II shaped her interest in trauma, human behavior, and consciousness. Together, we examine why high achievers often confuse money, status, and professional success with personal worth, and how golden handcuffs can quietly become a prison. We discuss the identity loss that accompanies major life changes, why self-compassion is essential to personal reinvention, and how neuroplasticity allows us to change at any age. Nadja also introduces the powerful “inner house” metaphor and demonstrates Voice Dialogue, a practical exercise for uncovering the competing voices behind a difficult decision. Whether you are considering a career change, relocation, relationship decision, or complete life reinvention, this episode offers a new way to move beyond fear, understand yourself more fully, and make choices from clarity rather than conditioning. In this episode, we explore: • Why self-acceptance begins with listening to the parts of ourselves we dislike• How intergenerational trauma can influence identity and behavior• Why money and achievement cannot create lasting freedom or self-worth• How golden handcuffs keep successful people stuck• What Voice Dialogue is and how it can clarify difficult life decisions• Why personal reinvention does not require rejecting who we used to be• How multiple perspectives can help us escape circular thinking• Why it is never too late to change our minds, our stories, or our lives If you have achieved success but sense that your life no longer fits who you have become, this conversation will help you approach change with greater compassion, courage, and consciousness. Connect with Nadjeschda Taranczewski Website: ConsciousU LinkedIn: Nadjeschda Taranczewski Conscious Sisters Society: Conscious Sisters Society

    How to Accept Yourself, Break Free From Golden Handcuffs, and Reinvent Your Life | Nadja Taranczewski

  2. 15 Jul

    The Story You're Living Isn't Final: How to Rewrite Your Life Before It's Too Late | Blake Cooper Griffin

    What if the biggest thing holding you back isn't your circumstances… but the story you've been telling yourself? In this episode of Code 3: Life. Reinvented., I sit down with actor, author, educator, and entrepreneur Blake Cooper Griffin to explore how we rewrite the narratives that shape our lives. Blake shares the painful childhood experiences that convinced him he would never belong, why perfectionism and people-pleasing kept him playing small, and how one decision to believe things could be different changed the direction of his life forever. We also dive into why action—not awareness—is what creates momentum, why confidence is built instead of discovered, and how serving others often becomes the fastest path to finding yourself. Whether you're feeling trapped by success, struggling to make a difficult change, or simply wondering what comes next, this conversation is a powerful reminder that your future isn't determined by your past. In this episode you'll discover: Why the stories we inherit don't have to become our future. How one small action creates momentum long before confidence arrives. The surprising connection between community service, purpose, and self-belief. Why perfectionism keeps so many high achievers stuck. A simple exercise to help you start writing your next chapter today. If you've been postponing the life you already know you want to live, this conversation is your invitation to begin. To follow Blake, you can find him here: Website: https://www.blakecoopergriffin.com/ Educational company: brainworksteam.com Instagram: @blakecoopergriffin Book: The Story of You: A Life Rewritten, available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other online booksellers. To discover MORE® in your life, visit us here.

    The Story You're Living Isn't Final: How to Rewrite Your Life Before It's Too Late | Blake Cooper Griffin

  3. 6 Jul

    Before You Die: What a Hospice Doctor Knows About Regret, Reinvention, and Waking Up Now

    In this episode of Code 3: Life. Reinvented., I reconnect with Dr. Luyi Kathy Zhang, a palliative care and hospice physician, TEDx speaker, coach, and host of The Purpose Filter podcast. Kathy has spent years sitting with people at the end of life, and what she has learned is both sobering and strangely hopeful: most people are not afraid of dying as much as they are haunted by the life they postponed. We talk about her own near-death experience at 13, the emotional toll of practicing palliative care in New York City during COVID, and how that breaking point became a catalyst for her own reinvention. Together, we explore why our brains keep us stuck on autopilot, why failure feels immediate while regret feels distant, and how small, intentional “daily doses” of courage can help us change before crisis forces the choice. Kathy also shares what she calls the ABCs of deathbed regrets: authenticity, bravery, and connection. This conversation is a powerful reminder that life is not just short. It is unpredictable. And the work is not to wait for the wake-up call, but to take one tiny step toward the life you already know you want to live. To find Kathy, please check out: Her website On Instagram @drluyikathyzhang Her TEDx talk To learn about MORE, please go to bemorealigned.com.

    Before You Die: What a Hospice Doctor Knows About Regret, Reinvention, and Waking Up Now

  4. 29 Jun

    From Fighter Pilot to Reinvention: How to Break Autopilot, Find Your Wingman, and Lead With Purpose

    In this episode of Code 3: Life. Reinvented., I sit down with former fighter pilot and Afterburner CEO Christian “Boo” Boucousis to explore what high-stakes aviation can teach us about life, leadership, transition, and reinvention. Boo shares how near misses, health challenges, and losing his fighter pilot identity forced him to rebuild his life with intention. We talk about the power of having a “wingman” who can see your blind spots, why purpose does not have to be grand to be meaningful, and how to move from living on autopilot to taking purposeful action. This conversation is packed with practical wisdom for anyone facing a chosen or forced transition and asking, “What comes next?” Boo’s framework of intention, reality, curiosity, and action offers a powerful way to turn ambition into movement and build a life aligned with who you are becoming. To find out more about today's guest, find Boo at: Website: https://callmeboo.com Learn more about Afterburner: https://afterburner.com To learn about MORE, please visit bemorealigned.com.

    From Fighter Pilot to Reinvention: How to Break Autopilot, Find Your Wingman, and Lead With Purpose

  5. 22 Jun

    Why Success Stops Working (And What Comes Next) | Tom Morgan

    What happens when the life you've spent decades building suddenly stops feeling like enough? In this episode, I sit down with investor, writer, and founder of The Leading Edge, Tom Morgan, for one of the most fascinating conversations I've had on Code 3. Tom shares the extraordinary story of a spontaneous awakening experience that completely altered his understanding of reality, the years of depression and uncertainty that followed, and how he eventually found his way toward a more authentic and meaningful life. Together, we explore why so many successful professionals reach a point where achievement no longer feels fulfilling, the hidden cost of conformity, the tension between responsibility and self-determination, and what it means to trust your curiosity when logic alone no longer provides the answers. We also discuss identity, reinvention, consciousness, career transitions, and why some of the most important changes in life begin when the old version of success stops working. If you've ever felt trapped by a life that looks successful from the outside but feels misaligned on the inside, this conversation is for you. • Tom's remarkable awakening experience and the crisis that followed • Why high achievers often feel trapped despite outward success • The difference between a rough patch and a true life transition • The hidden burden of living an "unlived" life • Why curiosity may be the most important compass for reinvention • How identity evolves during midlife transitions • The "Energy Diary" practice for discovering what truly energizes you Substack: The Leading Edge LinkedIn: Tom Morgan If you're feeling trapped by your own success and wondering what's next, visit www.bemorealigned.com

    Why Success Stops Working (And What Comes Next) | Tom Morgan

  6. 15 Jun

    She Worked with Post Malone and Lizzo—Then Realized Success Wasn’t the Answer

    What happens when you achieve everything you thought would make you happy, and still wake up feeling empty? In this powerful episode of Code 3: Life. Reinvented., I sit down with award-winning audio engineer, producer, speaker, and author Ali "AMAC" McGuire. After building a successful career working with artists including Post Malone, Lizzo, Kelly Rowland, Fetty Wap, and major record labels, Ali reached a breaking point. Despite the accolades, gold and platinum records, and industry success, she realized she had spent years chasing achievement while ignoring herself. Ali shares her journey from community college dropout to music industry success, how sobriety revealed a deeper struggle with overwork and self-worth, and the burnout that forced her to confront the uncomfortable question: "Why doesn't success feel the way I thought it would?" We explore authenticity, shame, purpose, self-compassion, and the framework she developed to help people reconnect with themselves before a crisis makes the decision for them. If you've ever felt trapped by your own success, questioned whether achievement alone is enough, or sensed that something important is missing despite having "made it," this conversation will stay with you long after it ends. Why success can become an addiction The surprising connection between burnout and self-worth How overworking became Ali's replacement for alcohol The difference between ego-driven goals and purpose-driven goals Why nobody teaches us to listen to our bodies The role of authenticity in creating a meaningful life How to know when you're living someone else's definition of success Why enjoying your life may be the most important goal of all Key Quote:"The only dream worth living is enjoying your life." – Ali AMAC McGuire Connect with Ali "AMAC" McGuire Website: amaculent.com Instagram: @amaculent YouTube: The Amaculent Mindset Email: info@immaculent.com To learn about MORE®, go to: bemorealigned.com.

    She Worked with Post Malone and Lizzo—Then Realized Success Wasn’t the Answer

  7. 8 Jun

    Twice Surviving Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma: Finding Purpose, Potential, and Clarity After Crisis with Savio P. Clemente

    What happens when life gives you a second chance—and then a third? In this episode, I sit down with author, TEDx speaker, journalist, executive wellness coach, and two-time cancer survivor Savio P. Clemente. After being diagnosed with Stage 3 Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in 2014, Savio endured chemotherapy and fought his way into remission. Ten years later, after delivering a TEDx talk, covering the Oscars, and returning from India, cancer returned. Together, we explore what happens after a life-altering crisis, including: Surviving cancer twice and navigating relapse The emotional challenge of rebuilding after trauma Why fulfilling your potential matters more than chasing achievement The connection between purpose, identity, and resilience Self-compassion, self-care, and personal reinvention The ALOHA framework for creating clarity and change Why surrender is not giving up—it's opening yourself to what's next This conversation is for anyone questioning their path, feeling stuck, facing adversity, or wondering if it's too late to reinvent themselves. Because sometimes the greatest challenge isn't surviving the crisis. It's deciding how you'll live afterward. Because sometimes the greatest challenge isn't surviving the crisis. It's deciding how you'll live afterward. Connect with Savio: Website: saviopclemente.com TEDx Talk: Seven Minutes to Wellness: How to Love Your Inner Stranger Newsletter: The Human Resolve Connect with MORE®: bemorealigned.com

    Twice Surviving Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma: Finding Purpose, Potential, and Clarity After Crisis with Savio P. Clemente

  8. 1 Jun

    Feeling Stuck in Your Career? How One Executive Found Purpose Beyond the Corporate Ladder

    What happens when you've done everything right, built a successful career, and still find yourself wondering, "Is this really it?" In this episode, I sit down with my longtime friend Eric Riemer to explore his remarkable six-year journey from a successful career in financial services to becoming CFO of the Yosemite Rivers Alliance, a nonprofit dedicated to protecting one of America's most iconic natural landscapes. Along the way, Eric shares how health scares, the loss of his parents, and a growing sense of misalignment forced him to rethink what success truly meant. We discuss career burnout, the difference between success and significance, the power of gradual change, and why many high achievers feel disconnected from work that once energized them. Eric also shares how he overcame fear, challenged limiting beliefs, and designed a portfolio career that ultimately led him to work he loves. If you've ever felt trapped in a career that looks good on paper but no longer feels like your own, this conversation offers practical wisdom, hope, and proof that meaningful reinvention is possible. To get in touch with Eric, you can find his LinkedIn here, or through the Yosemite Rivers Alliance site. Please visit us to learn about MORE® at our site bemorealigned.com.

    Feeling Stuck in Your Career? How One Executive Found Purpose Beyond the Corporate Ladder
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About

I’m AJ Jones. Twice, a massive widowmaker heart attack nearly ended my life. Twice, I walked away with more than just a second chance. And twice I had to rethink everything. After a 20+ year career with firms like Schwab, BlackRock, and Wells Fargo, my cardiologist told me to retire. Instead, I doubled down on a new mission: to help people stop living on autopilot and start redefining what’s possible. Or put another way, with all due respect to my cardiologist I have unfinished business. Code 3: Life. Reinvented. is not another career podcast. It’s a wake-up call. Each episode is real and urgent. Hear conversations with bold pivoters who left comfort and “success” behind to pursue something meaningful, and with authors and experts who study transformation. We’ll emphasize bringing their stories and techniques into your reality.  And you’ll hear from me: unfiltered lessons, radical honesty, and a playbook for reinventing your life before it breaks you. If you’re a high-achieving professional who knows something has to change, this is your siren. Don’t wait for a crisis to force reinvention. This is your Code 3. Code 3: Life. Reinvented. is an initiative of MOREⓇ, an aligned reinvention company. Brought to you by The More Project, Inc.: https://www.bemorealigned.com

Information

  • Creator
    AJ Jones, Founder, MORE® — Aligned Reinvention Guide
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    42
  • Copyright
    © 2c63b0f0-a2d5-11f0-90bb-f7b63a0a3347
  • Show Website
    Code 3: Life. Reinvented.