Quit The Quota

Darryl Miedico and Marya Ryan

5.0 (3)
Education
Weekly

Quit the Quota (QtheQ) is the podcast for professionals, most commonly sales professionals, who feel a burning that their life should be measured less by sales metrics and more by accomplishments. QtheQ dives deep into the mindset, strategies and actions that need to take place in order to leave a life of quotas, for a life of time freedom and abundance.

3d ago

The Promise You Keep Breaking Is the One You Made to Yourself

In this episode of Quit the Quota, Darryl Miedico and Marya Ryan talk about what it means to make a promise to yourself and follow through. They explore why some people only commit to change after a major emotional event, while others build momentum through steady focus, study, and a clear vision of what they want. The conversation looks at the small promises people make and break every day, from starting a new habit to pursuing an idea they have carried for years. Darryl and Marya discuss how perfectionism, procrastination, and old beliefs can keep people stuck, and why a decision becomes meaningful when it is followed by action. They also share practical ways to get clearer about the future: write a detailed vision of the life you want, imagine what would make the coming year transformative, and choose a few goals that matter enough to pursue consistently. The hosts discuss how past experiences shape current outcomes, how subconscious patterns can influence behavior, and why preparation can help you respond with courage when life changes unexpectedly. Tune in now to explore how commitment, visualization, and daily action can help you stop postponing what matters and start building a future that reflects your own choices. Timestamps (Key Moments) 02:01 – Today’s topic: keeping promises to yourself 04:13 – Two paths to change: an emotional event or focused commitment 05:58 – Building momentum through study and consistent effort 07:57 – Start with the commitments you keep day to day 09:01 – Envisioning what motivates you 10:38 – Perfectionism, analysis, and taking action 15:01 – What it takes to turn a goal into a commitment 16:37 – The quiet cost of breaking promises to yourself 18:02 – Letting past decisions shape the future you choose 19:22 – How deadlines and future plans create momentum 20:42 – Writing a self-vision script 22:14 – Making visualization specific and vivid 24:59 – Turning broad goals into a detailed vision 27:45 – When protective guardrails become limiting beliefs 29:15 – Choosing a few goals and committing to them 30:47 – How your attitude can shape the next step after a setback 32:19 – Preparing yourself to meet change with courage 33:43 – When your words and actions conflict with subconscious beliefs 35:27 – How the subconscious mind learns through repetition 38:17 – Choosing how to respond to life-changing events 39:27 – Creating a daily routine that reinforces your commitment 40:31 – Make the decision, act, and keep the promise Connect with the Hosts Darryl MiedicoEmail: quitthequota@gmail.comWebsite: www.quitthequota.comInstagram: @quitthequotaFacebook: Quit the Quota Marya RyanEmail: quitthequota@gmail.comWebsite: www.quitthequota.comInstagram: @quitthequotaFacebook: Quit the Quota Hashtags #QuitTheQuota #Entrepreneurship #Mindset #PersonalGrowth #SelfCommitment #KeepYourPromises #TakeAction #GoalSetting #Visualization #SubconsciousMind #SuccessMindset #BusinessGrowth #EntrepreneurMindset #MindsetShift #SelfDevelopment
Oct 16

Build a Life That Fits: Mike Reilly on Purpose, Discipline, and Entrepreneurship

In this episode of Quit the Quota, Darryl Miedico and Marya Ryan sit down with Mike Reilly, a former tech sales professional who built a short-term rental business after years in corporate sales. Mike shares how a kidney disease diagnosis ended his pursuit of professional tennis, how he found his way into tech sales, and how learning about real estate eventually led him to entrepreneurship. The conversation explores the trade-offs of a successful sales career, from travel and long hours to the limits of relying on a W-2 for security. Mike describes investing in his first short-term rental, building income alongside his job, and setting a date to leave corporate life. He and the hosts discuss the uncertainty that comes with the transition and why taking ownership of your time can be worth the risk. Mike’s advice starts with looking inward: get specific about what matters to you, how you want to spend your time, and what you want the next year to look like. The group also talks about making space for reflection, finding mentors, building a team around shared purpose, and staying disciplined through distractions and setbacks. Tune in now to hear Mike’s path from tech sales to entrepreneurship and learn how clarity, mentorship, and consistent action can help you shape a career and life that align with what matters most. Timestamps (Key Moments) 03:02 – Meet Mike Reilly 06:05 – Mike’s dream of playing professional tennis 06:39 – The diagnosis that changed his direction 07:26 – Starting a career in tech sales 09:18 – A tax bill sparks an interest in real estate 15:26 – When the sales lifestyle starts to wear him down 20:42 – Finding freedom after leaving corporate sales 22:36 – The first rental and setting a date to leave his W-2 25:02 – The uncertainty that can follow the leap 27:00 – Rethinking what job security really means 29:04 – Going inward to understand what matters 31:20 – An end-of-life reflection exercise to clarify priorities 32:25 – Making time for quiet and self-reflection 34:16 – Designing your “perfect average day” 37:24 – Aligning with your partner on goals and experiences 44:32 – Hiring and leading people around a shared purpose 47:39 – Finding mentors who have done what you want to do 52:24 – Navigating setbacks as a business owner 53:38 – The discipline of going inward every day 57:06 – Mike’s morning practice of gratitude and goal-setting 1:01:36 – Advice for anyone considering an entrepreneurial move 1:07:13 – Where to connect with Mike Reilly Connect with the Hosts and Guest Hosts: Email: quitthequota@gmail.com Website: www.quitthequota.com Instagram: @quitthequota Facebook: Quit the Quota Mike Reilly LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikereillync Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mikereillync/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/DeIIRUUHQur/ Business Website: https://www.nc-stays.com/about #QuitTheQuota #Entrepreneurship #TechSales #ShortTermRentals #RealEstateInvesting #CareerChange #PersonalGrowth #TimeFreedom #PurposeDrivenBusiness #BusinessOwner #MikeReilly
Sep 28

The Trap No One Warns You About After Becoming Successful

What happens after you quit the W-2, build the business, and finally achieve the freedom you were chasing? In this episode of Quit the Quota, Daryl and Marya ditch the script and hit record in the middle of a real conversation about entrepreneurship, success, leadership, and the unexpected challenge of figuring out what comes next. What starts as a conversation about teaching kids entrepreneurship quickly turns into a much bigger question: Did you build a business—or did you just build yourself another job? Daryl reflects on the years it took to build a company that could operate without his constant involvement, why his next goal is to eventually “fire himself” as CEO, and the realization that even entrepreneurship can become a new comfort zone. They unpack why achieving your original goals can sometimes create a plateau, the importance of continually redefining your “why,” and why financial targets become more meaningful when they're connected to impact. The conversation also dives into failure, discipline, scaling without lowering your standards, knowing your team personally while still holding them accountable, and becoming the person capable of sustaining your next level of success. Tune in now to rethink what success looks like after you’ve already taken the leap, identify where comfort may be holding you back, and learn how to keep evolving as an entrepreneur, leader, and person. Timestamps (Key Moments) 03:35 – Can You Actually Teach Entrepreneurship? 05:02 – Did You Build a Business—or Just Another Job? 07:17 – The Moment a Business Stops Depending on You 08:28 – The Goal of Firing Yourself as CEO 12:34 – What Happens After You’ve Already Taken the Leap? 17:30 – When Entrepreneurship Becomes Your New Comfort Zone 18:57 – Why Your Original Goals Stop Motivating You 20:24 – Connecting Financial Goals to Something Bigger 24:59 – Why Success Can Lead to Complacency 28:50 – Redefining Failure as Feedback 32:44 – Becoming the Person Who Can Sustain the Goal 36:21 – Why You Have to Define Your Own Version of Success 40:15 – The Real Cost of Achieving Bigger Goals 42:19 – Creating Space to Figure Out What’s Next 46:30 – Scaling Without Lowering Your Standards 47:41 – Your Team Will Follow the Standard You Set 49:17 – A Leadership Mistake That Changed Everything 51:19 – Knowing Your Team Without Sacrificing Accountability 52:03 – Are You a Bad Interviewer or a Bad Coach? 53:12 – Building a Business Instead of Building Yourself a Job Connect with the Host and Guest Darryl MiedicoEmail: quitthequota@gmail.com Website: www.quitthequota.com Instagram: @quitthequota Facebook: Quit the Quota Marya Ryan Email: quitthequota@gmail.com Website: www.quitthequota.com Instagram:@quitthequota Facebook: Quit the Quota #QuitTheQuota #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #BusinessOwner #Leadership #EntrepreneurMindset #W2ToEntrepreneur #BuildABusiness #ScalingABusiness #BusinessLeadership #PersonalGrowth #SuccessMindset #BusinessSystems #EntrepreneurLife #FinancialFreedom
Sep 21

What’s the Worst That Could Happen? How to Finally Bet on Yourself

What would happen if you stopped waiting for certainty and started betting on yourself? In this episode of Quit the Quota, Darryl Miedico and Marya Ryan sit down with entrepreneur and real estate investor Andrew Bosco to unpack a career journey built around trusting his gut, taking calculated risks, and refusing to let the traditional definition of success dictate his life. Andrew went from working 12-hour shifts as a scientist to making a life-changing decision within 48 hours: quit his job and move to Southeast Asia to teach. Years later, after returning to corporate America, he discovered real estate, built a successful side business while still working his W-2, and eventually made the jump into entrepreneurship. Along the way, Andrew learned a lesson that became a recurring theme in his life: instead of allowing fear to control the decision, ask yourself, “What’s the worst that could happen?” The conversation goes deeper than entrepreneurship and real estate. Andrew shares why criticism from the people closest to you can derail your goals, why you can’t depend on outside validation, how sports helped shape his competitive mindset, why everyone should seek mentors, and why failure is something we need to become better at experiencing. His philosophy is simple: less analyzing, more doing. Movement creates feedback, feedback creates growth, and you can always adapt along the way. Tune in now to learn how to stop letting fear make your decisions, trust yourself enough to take action, and develop the skills, conviction, and resilience to build a life on your own terms. Timestamps (Key Moments) 03:18 – Meet Andrew Bosco 05:11 – From Scientist to Entrepreneur 06:08 – The Question That Changed Andrew’s Career 09:00 – The 12-Hour Shift That Became His Breaking Point 11:13 – Making a Life-Changing Decision in 48 Hours 13:11 – Dealing With Criticism From Family and Loved Ones 15:05 – Making Decisions Your 90-Year-Old Self Would Be Proud Of 15:55 – “What’s the Worst That Could Happen?” 17:18 – The Unlimited Upside of Leaving Your W-2 18:27 – Rethinking the Traditional American Dream 25:08 – Learning to Trust Your Gut 27:00 – The Million-Dollar Deal Andrew Passed On 30:47 – How to Build Confidence and Become More Fearless 32:00 – Why Everyone Needs a Mentor 33:24 – “Movement Is Life”: Stop Overanalyzing and Start Doing 34:10 – Why We Need to Get Better at Failing 36:14 – Breaking Into Real Estate With No Sales Experience 37:27 – Building an $80K Side Hustle While Working a W-2 38:18 – Being Told “You’re Just Not Cut Out for It” 42:17 – Becoming a Business Owner 42:57 – House Hacking and Reducing Your Biggest Expense 43:29 – Finding the Right Tribe Through Real Estate 46:42 – Why Money Alone Isn’t a Strong Enough Mission 48:24 – Build Your Business Around Your Values 51:31 – The Hardest Part of Entrepreneurship 52:27 – The 90-Day Rule for Testing a New Direction 53:55 – Stop Fixating on Your Weaknesses 54:18 – Find Your Superpower and Go All In 55:08 – Where to Connect With Andrew Connect with the Host and Guest Darryl Miedico Email: quitthequota@gmail.com Website: www.quitthequota.com Instagram: @quitthequota Facebook: Quit the Quota Marya Ryan Email: quitthequota@gmail.com Website: www.quitthequota.com Instagram:@quitthequota Facebook: Quit the Quota #QuitTheQuota #BetOnYourself #Entrepreneurship #AndrewBosco #CareerChange #EntrepreneurMindset #TakeTheLeap #W2ToEntrepreneur #RealEstateInvesting #HouseHacking #FearOfFailure #PersonalGrowth #TrustYourGut #FinancialFreedom #BusinessMindset
Aug 31

Why You Might Be Subconsciously Afraid of Success

What if one of the biggest things holding you back isn’t the fear of failure—but the fear of success? In this episode of Quit the Quota, the conversation dives into the subconscious beliefs we carry about money, wealth, achievement, and the person we fear we might become if we actually get everything we’re working toward. What starts as a conversation about whether money changes people quickly becomes a deeper look at how our upbringing, cultural beliefs, and experiences with successful people shape our own ambitions. Rather than believing success automatically turns people into someone different, the discussion explores the idea that money often amplifies who you already are—and that your definition of wealth doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s. This episode challenges you to define what success actually means to you, understand why you want the things you want, and consider who you need to become along the way. From using money as a tool to embracing generosity, developing your character, and refusing to let someone else’s experience with wealth dictate your future, success can change you—but that change can be for the better. Tune in now to uncover the hidden beliefs that may be keeping you from your next level, redefine success on your own terms, and start becoming the person capable of creating—and enjoying—the life you actually want. In This Episode, They Share: Why the fear of success can quietly hold you back just as much as the fear of failure. How money can amplify your existing character rather than automatically changing who you are. Why you need to create your own definition of wealth and success instead of adopting someone else’s. How generosity, purpose, character, and personal growth fit into building a successful life. Three areas to clarify: what you want and why, how you want to serve others, and who your future successful self needs to become. Timestamps (Key Moments) 02:12 – Will Success Change You? 02:49 – The Hidden Fear of Becoming Successful 04:24 – Why We Subconsciously Hold Ourselves Back 05:14 – How Early Beliefs Shape Our View of Wealth 08:04 – Money Amplifies Who You Already Are 08:36 – Understanding Money as a Tool 11:20 – Defining Wealth and Success for Yourself 14:39 – Why Success Should Change You 18:24 – Stop Using Someone Else’s Success as Your Blueprint 23:54 – Getting Clear on What You Actually Want 25:27 – Why Generosity Is Part of Success 26:14 – Becoming the Person Who Can Handle Your Next Level 30:36 – How Success Can Change You for the Better 32:12 – Three Questions to Define Your Future Self Connect with the Host and Guest Darryl Miedico Email: quitthequota@gmail.com Website: www.quitthequota.com Instagram: @quitthequota Facebook: Quit the Quota Marya Ryan Email: quitthequota@gmail.com Website: www.quitthequota.com Instagram:@quitthequota Facebook: Quit the Quota #QuitTheQuota #FearOfSuccess #SuccessMindset #MoneyMindset #Entrepreneurship #PersonalGrowth #WealthMindset #BusinessMindset #EntrepreneurMindset #FinancialSuccess #MindsetShift #SelfDevelopment #FutureSelf #Purpose #Success
Aug 21

Stop Chasing Money. Start Chasing Purpose

In this episode of Quit the Quota, Darryl Miedico and Marya Ryan sit down with entrepreneur Craig Rayno, owner of True Turf Landscaping, to discuss the winding road that led him from countless jobs, into real estate, and ultimately back to the business he was truly meant to build. Craig shares how years of chasing income left him feeling disconnected, and why finding alignment mattered more than chasing the next paycheck. Together, they unpack the pressure many people feel to follow society's definition of success—earning a degree, climbing the corporate ladder, and sticking with a career even when it no longer fits. Craig opens up about navigating expectations from family, balancing fatherhood, and making the difficult decision to leave behind a successful career in real estate to pursue work that genuinely fulfilled him. The conversation explores identity, passion, entrepreneurship, and the courage required to bet on yourself. From feeling like he was living someone else's life in a suit at a charity event to building a business that reflects who he truly is, Craig's story is a reminder that success isn't about impressing others—it's about creating a life you're excited to wake up to every day. Tune in now to hear how one entrepreneur stopped chasing money, started chasing purpose, and built a business—and a life—that finally felt like his own. In This Episode, They Share: Why chasing money alone eventually leaves you empty. The hidden cost of living someone else's version of success. How to recognize when you're no longer aligned with your career. Why it's never too late to change directions. The importance of building a business around who you really are. Lessons on raising children to follow their purpose rather than social expectations. How betting on yourself can become the most rewarding investment you'll ever make Timestamps (Key Moments) 02:53 – Meet today's guest, Craig Rayno 05:19 – Craig's entrepreneurial background 09:00 – From countless jobs to discovering irrigation 11:28 – Transitioning into real estate during the boom 12:50 – Chasing money instead of passion 14:01 – The charity event that changed everything 15:18 – The conversation with his wife that sparked a new beginning 16:14 – Feeling overwhelmed while juggling multiple careers 17:24 – Why building your own business changes everything 19:24 – Are we making decisions based on our own dreams? 21:09 – What Craig wants his children to believe about success 23:34 – Why asking an 18-year-old to choose a lifelong career is flawed 37:59 – Building a business plan and taking the leap 39:21 – The unexpected opportunity that validated his decision 1:22:01 – Desire is what separates entrepreneurs from everyone else 1:23:25 – Craig's final advice: Be true to yourself Connect with the Host and Guest Darryl Miedico Email: quitthequota@gmail.com Website: www.quitthequota.com Instagram: @quitthequota Facebook: Quit the Quota Marya Ryan Email: quitthequota@gmail.com Website: www.quitthequota.com Instagram:@quitthequota Facebook: Quit the Quota #QuitTheQuota #Entrepreneurship #CareerChange #BusinessOwner #Purpose #Leadership #SmallBusiness #Mindset #Success #BetOnYourself #PersonalGrowth #RealEstate #Landscaping #BusinessJourney #Craigrayno
Jul 31

Overthinking Is Killing Your Success

In this episode of Quit the Quota, Darryl Miedico and Marya Ryan tackle a challenge that keeps countless entrepreneurs stuck before they ever reach their potential: analysis paralysis. While strategy, data, and preparation all have their place, there comes a point where overthinking becomes the very thing preventing progress. Drawing from real coaching conversations, they reveal why taking imperfect action often beats having the perfect plan. What starts as a discussion about a client struggling with sales quickly turns into a deeper conversation about how corporate conditioning trains us to focus on metrics instead of momentum. They explain why so many professionals carry this mindset into entrepreneurship, where checking boxes and collecting information can feel productive while quietly replacing the actions that actually build a business. Throughout the episode, Darryl and Marya share stories from their own careers, including lessons learned in corporate sales, coaching entrepreneurs through mindset blocks, and discovering that breakthroughs rarely happen through more planning. Instead, they happen after committing, taking action, and trusting the vision—even before every answer is clear. Tune in now to discover why overthinking may be the biggest obstacle between you and your next breakthrough—and learn how to replace pressure with purposeful action that actually moves your business forward. Timestamps (Key Moments) 01:47 – A lesson from flying without perfect visibility 04:57 – Can being too analytical kill success? 06:35 – When metrics become a distraction 11:01 – The balance between science and creativity 12:55 – Why you need to play fast, loose, and free 16:21 – Sniper vs. machine gun: A smarter approach to sales 20:29 – The simplest way to measure daily success 23:18 – Why research can become an addiction 26:34 – Breakthroughs happen after you commit 31:00 – The iPad contest that proved metrics don't equal results 36:16 – Take action from vision, not pressure 37:20 – Stop overanalyzing and start building Connect with the Host and Guest Darryl Miedico Email: quitthequota@gmail.com Website: www.quitthequota.com Instagram: @quitthequota Facebook: Quit the Quota Marya Ryan Email: quitthequota@gmail.com Website: www.quitthequota.com Instagram:@quitthequota Facebook: Quit the Quota #QuitTheQuota #Entrepreneurship #AnalysisParalysis #Mindset #BusinessGrowth #PersonalDevelopment #Leadership #Sales #BusinessOwner #SuccessMindset #TakeAction #EntrepreneurLife #MindsetShift #StartBeforeYoureReady #BusinessCoaching
Jul 28

The Hidden Fear That Keeps People Stuck

In this episode of Quit the Quota, Darryl Miedico and Marya Ryan unpack one of the biggest obstacles keeping aspiring entrepreneurs from reaching their potential: the fear of criticism. What starts as a conversation about football officiating quickly turns into a powerful lesson on handling outside opinions, making confident decisions, and refusing to let criticism dictate your future. Using real coaching conversations with members of their mentorship program, Darryl and Marya explore why people undervalue themselves, hesitate when opportunities appear, and seek permission from others before pursuing their dreams. They explain how self-doubt, imposter syndrome, and the desire to avoid conflict quietly sabotage progress long before failure ever does. The discussion also dives into why your environment matters, how to distinguish constructive feedback from limiting opinions, and why surrounding yourself with people who have already achieved what you're working toward can dramatically accelerate your growth. Throughout the episode, they share practical strategies to strengthen your mindset, overcome fear, and build confidence through consistent action. If you've been waiting for permission to start your business, raise your prices, or chase the life you actually want, this episode will challenge you to stop letting fear make your decisions and start betting on yourself instead. Timestamps (Key Moments) 01:45 – The clean-shaven story that leads into today's lesson 04:18 – What football officiating teaches about handling criticism 09:42 – Why fear of criticism stops entrepreneurs 13:21 – The entrepreneur who almost discounted his own value 18:23 – Recognizing imposter syndrome before it costs you 23:39 – The three-step framework: Desire, Decision, Action 26:22 – Darryl's personal reason for becoming an entrepreneur 28:14 – Why your environment shapes your success 30:20 – When family and friends unintentionally hold you back 40:07 – Seeking respect vs. seeking permission 47:15 – How to finally break free from fear and take action 54:07 – Final advice for overcoming criticism and building the life you want Connect with the Host and Guest Darryl Miedico Email: quitthequota@gmail.com Website: www.quitthequota.com Instagram: @quitthequota Facebook: Quit the Quota Marya Ryan Email: quitthequota@gmail.com Website: www.quitthequota.com Instagram:@quitthequota Facebook: Quit the Quota #QuitTheQuota #Entrepreneurship #Mindset #FearOfCriticism #BusinessGrowth #PersonalDevelopment #Leadership #SelfConfidence #SuccessMindset #EntrepreneurLife #BusinessCoach #SelfImprovement #Motivation #MindsetShift #BetOnYourself

5

out of 5

3 Ratings

Quit the Quota (QtheQ) is the podcast for professionals, most commonly sales professionals, who feel a burning that their life should be measured less by sales metrics and more by accomplishments. QtheQ dives deep into the mindset, strategies and actions that need to take place in order to leave a life of quotas, for a life of time freedom and abundance.

Creator

Darryl Miedico and Marya Ryan
Years Active

2026
Episodes

22
Rating

Explicit
Copyright

© Darryl Miedico and Marya Ryan
Show Website

Quit The Quota