Rise Above The Grind

Alissa Bickar, The Consultress
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  • Self-Improvement

A movement designed to help you rise above mediocrity, break free from the grind, and build the life you deserve.

  1. 4d ago

    From Grind to Alignment: Building a Business That Supports the Life You Want

    What if the “grind” isn’t a sign that you need to work harder but a sign that you’re moving in the wrong direction? In this powerful conversation, Christy Morrell-Stinson explores what happens when entrepreneurs lose connection with their purpose, their energy, and the life they actually want to build. Christy shares how she helps founders and successors move from exhaustion of misdirection to clarity, alignment, and intentional growth—using strategy, business data, energy audits, and a “flight plan” designed around the destination they truly want. The conversation also explores the relationship between purpose and profit, why money can be viewed as an exchange of energy and value, and why building a successful business shouldn't require becoming its full-time employee. In This Episode, We Explore: Why being busy doesn't necessarily mean you're making progress The connection between internal clarity and external meaning How misalignment creates friction, exhaustion, and burnout Why entrepreneurs need to step back and see the whole system Using evaluation, coordination, and innovation to identify what needs to change How to discover your true purpose through your energy, desires, and even your frustrations Why your business should be allowed to evolve as you evolve Building a strategic “flight plan” instead of simply maintaining a to-do list The importance of working backward from the life and business you ultimately want How Christy's Lania Kia Starship brings together trusted experts to support growing businesses Why business owners need systems and teams that allow them to step away from the owner-operator role The often-overlooked relationship between purpose, money, and sustainability Why business data should guard your vision while your internal compass guides it The concept of Return on Energy (ROE) and why entrepreneurs should measure more than financial ROI How anger, frustration, and exhaustion can reveal areas of misalignment Why asking for help can be one of the most powerful steps an entrepreneur takes Key Takeaways The grind can be exhaustion from misdirection. Sometimes the problem isn't a lack of effort. You're simply putting tremendous energy into something that isn't aligned with what actually matters to you. Start with the destination. Instead of asking, “What do I need to do today?” ask, “Where am I actually trying to arrive?” Then work backward to identify the milestones and dependencies required to get there. Your purpose can evolve. The business you started doesn't have to remain the business you need forever. As you grow and change, your business may need to change with you. Purpose and profitability aren't enemies. Wanting to make money doesn't make your work less meaningful. Financial sustainability is part of building something that can continue creating impact. Measure your energy, not just your numbers. Revenue, margins, KPIs, and business data matter—but so do the human experiences behind those numbers. Don't build yourself a job. A business should ultimately support the life you want rather than becoming the thing that controls your life. Self-honesty is the starting point. As Christy puts it, finding someone you can honestly talk to about your direction and desires can be the beginning of meaningful change. Notable Conversation Moments 03:18 — What does “the grind” really mean? Christy defines the grind as friction created by disconnection from internal clarity and direction. 21:46 — When activity isn't producing what matters Why doing well financially doesn't necessarily mean a business is aligned. 23:03 — Seeing the whole system Christy explains her evaluation, coordination, and innovation process. 25:10 — Discovering your true purpose How she uses feelings, desires, “burning yeses,” and even anger as indicators. 30:07 — Building the Flight Plan Why strategy sessions begin with the destination and work backward. 31:35 — The wrong ladder on the wrong building A powerful example of how someone can build a successful business around the wrong expression of their purpose. 33:23 — Replacing the to-do list with a Flight Plan How understanding dependencies changes the way entrepreneurs execute. 41:58 — Navigating a major pivot Christy's three-layer approach: internal clarity, business data, and a new flight plan. 50:05 — Is it okay to want money? A candid discussion about purpose, profit, value, and the pressure entrepreneurs feel around making money. 52:18 — Let data guard the vision Why your internal compass should guide you while business data protects you from unrealistic decisions. 59:28 — Meaning behind the activity Why people need to understand why they're doing something—not simply what they're doing. 01:01:15 — Meaning as a force multiplier Christy connects meaning with management, moat, and margin. 01:08:00 — Return on Energy (ROE) Why entrepreneurs should consider the energy and time something consumes, not just its financial return. 01:10:53 — Exhaustion as a signal How tiredness and anger can reveal deeper misalignment. 01:14:41 — Christy's final advice Find someone you can talk to honestly about where you're going and what you truly desire. About Christy Morrell-Stinson Christy Morrell-Stinson is a serial entrepreneur and advisor who has spent more than 30 years consulting with founders and successors, including in merger and acquisition environments. Her work focuses on equipping founders and successors to return to joy while building outrageously beautiful businesses. She uses a family-office-style approach, bringing the right expertise, systems, strategy, and support into a business at the right time. The Big Question Are you building the business you actually want—or simply getting better at building the one you've already created? Sometimes the next level isn't more action. It's more clarity.

  2. 4d ago

    Rise Above the Grind: Lead Yourself, Think Differently & Build Confidence

    In this powerful conversation on Rise Above the Grind, Alissa Bickar sits down with Amy Brooke, founder of Leadership in Life Coaching, for an honest conversation about breaking free from the mental and emotional patterns that keep us stuck. Amy shares her personal journey from corporate finance and operations to entrepreneurship, real estate investing, and leadership coaching—and the mindset shift that changed how she approached work, relationships, and life. In This Episode, We Explore: What “the grind” really means — working relentlessly without purpose, direction, or a clear goal. Taking responsibility for how you show up instead of allowing other people or circumstances to dictate your experience. Learning how to think as one of the most valuable skills for personal and professional growth. Why your current 9-to-5 can be a playground for growth, skill-building, confidence, and self-discovery. The danger of constant venting and how repeatedly telling a negative story can keep you emotionally stuck in it. How perspective-taking and empathy can transform communication and relationships. Moving from confusion to clarity by considering what the other person needs from you. How people-pleasing, conformity, comparison, and self-sabotage can become deeply embedded habits. Building confidence through action, including being willing to try, fail, learn, and try again. The connection between personal leadership and organizational culture. Why psychological safety gives people the confidence to speak up, contribute, and grow. Leading through change by understanding the habits, fears, and experiences of the people affected. The importance of focusing on facts rather than emotion when navigating difficult situations. Key Takeaways Nothing is permanent. Amy's biggest personal breakthrough came from realizing that her circumstances and thought patterns did not have to remain the same. A decision to change how she approached her work immediately changed her experience. Learn how to think. Self-awareness begins with becoming conscious of the thoughts and habits that may no longer be serving you. Your current environment can be your training ground. You don't have to wait for your dream job, business, or next chapter to start developing the skills you'll need for it. Put yourself in the other person's shoes. Starting with the other person's perspective creates empathy, improves communication, and can reduce unnecessary emotional spirals. Move people from confusion to clarity. Effective communication isn't just about what you want to say. It's about understanding what the other person needs to hear and helping them reach clarity. Don't confuse venting with resolution. There can be value in acknowledging emotions, but repeatedly retelling the same negative story can reinforce the very experience you're trying to escape. Personal leadership comes before leading others. Before changing a team, organization, or environment, examine how you are choosing to respond, communicate, and show up. Memorable Conversation Themes “The best thing I ever focused on learning was learning how to think.” Amy's story demonstrates that sometimes the way out of the grind doesn't begin with changing your job—it begins with changing how you think, how you communicate, and how you choose to show up. About Amy Brooke Amy Brooke is the founder of Leadership in Life Coaching, where she helps organizations and individuals build habits that improve communication, confidence, leadership, and workplace relationships. Her work is rooted in helping people become more self-aware, communicate more effectively, and develop the confidence to try, fail, learn, and grow.

  3. 4d ago

    From Grind to Breakthrough: Reinventing Yourself for Your Next Level

    What if the “grind” isn’t a sign that something is wrong but a signal that you’re growing into a new version of yourself? In this powerful conversation, Stacey Lauren joins Alissa Bickar on Rise Above the Grind to explore what happens when growth forces us to redefine our identity, leadership, purpose, and vision. Stacey shares her journey from exiting a 20-year staffing business to discovering her Do The Thing Formula, developing the Comfort Circle framework, and creating an innovative auction platform designed to help entrepreneurs contribute their products and services while raising money for charity. The conversation dives deep into the uncomfortable—but necessary—parts of expansion: imposter syndrome, redefining success, asking for help, receiving money, building the right community, and learning to recognize difficult seasons as breakthroughs rather than setbacks. In This Episode 🔹 The grind changes as you grow Stacey explains why every new level of growth can create a new version of the grind. Systems break, leadership has to evolve, and the person who built the business may need to become someone different to lead it forward. 🔹 Redefining your identity Growth isn't simply about achieving bigger goals. It requires becoming the person capable of carrying those goals. Stacey shares how her Comfort Circle framework helps people move from finding their voice to sharing it, monetizing it, creating movements, and ultimately reaching a global audience. 🔹 When the inner voice says “you're not good enough” Even ambitious entrepreneurs experience doubt and imposter syndrome. Stacey discusses how recognizing where you are in your growth cycle can help quiet the internal noise and make room for your next identity. 🔹 Turn the grind into a breakthrough One of Stacey's most powerful reframes is changing the language around difficult seasons. Instead of thinking, “I'm struggling,” she chooses to recognize, “I'm having a breakthrough.” That simple shift can change how you interpret discomfort and keep you moving toward the bigger mission. 🔹 Think bigger—and let people challenge your vision The panel explores what happens when you surround yourself with people who see possibilities you haven't yet considered. Stacey's experience creating a $100,000 offer becomes a powerful example of why the right room can expand what's possible. 🔹 The power of receiving The conversation challenges the idea that contribution always means giving everything away. Stacey explains why entrepreneurs also need to become comfortable receiving—including receiving money for their value. 🔹 You don't have to figure it out alone From asking for help to building circles of trusted people, the panel emphasizes the importance of having people who can see your blind spots, challenge your thinking, and support you through major pivots. 🔹 There is no final arrival point Reaching a major goal doesn't mean the journey is over. As Alissa puts it, there is always a “what's next.” Growth continually creates new opportunities to reinvent yourself and determine how you want to contribute. 🔹 Collaboration over competition The panel explores a shift away from transactional, competitive thinking toward collaboration, community, and creating opportunities where everyone can grow. Stacey Lauren's Philanthropic Mission Stacey also shares her work using an auction platform to connect entrepreneurs, buyers, and charitable organizations. The model allows entrepreneurs to contribute their products, services, or experiences, while proceeds are distributed between the entrepreneur, charity, and the facilitation/marketing of the events. At the time of the conversation, Stacey shared that the initiative had already raised $500,000, with a larger goal of raising $1 billion for charity. She also announced an upcoming virtual auction supporting Kids in the Spotlight, an organization helping foster youth develop filmmaking skills. Key Takeaways “Who I was yesterday is not required for tomorrow.” Growth requires identity shifts. Every new level may come with a new version of the grind. Discomfort doesn't necessarily mean you're on the wrong path. Sometimes the grind is actually a breakthrough in progress. Your biggest goals may require you to become a bigger version of yourself. The right community can help you see what you can't see alone. Don't automatically accept criticism from people who haven't achieved what you're trying to achieve. Learn to receive as well as give. Don't wait for opportunity—create it. There is no permanent “arrival point.” There is always a next level. The right room can change what's possible. Memorable Ideas From the Conversation “I'm having a breakthrough right now.” A powerful reframe for moments when growth feels uncomfortable. “You don't show up, you don't go up.” The importance of consistently putting yourself in rooms where growth, opportunity, and connection can happen. “Don't wait for opportunity, create it.” A reminder from Laura Diaz that entrepreneurs don't always have to wait for the perfect opening—they can build it. The Bigger Conversation At its heart, this episode asks a simple but challenging question: Who do you need to become to carry the vision you're asking for? Because sometimes the thing standing between you and your next level isn't a lack of strategy, resources, or opportunity. Sometimes, it's the identity you've already outgrown. And perhaps the grind you're experiencing isn't proof that you've lost your way. Perhaps you're simply becoming someone new.

  4. 4d ago

    Finding Your Rhythm: Leadership, Communication & the Power of the Pause

    What if the “grind” isn’t about working harder but about doing the quiet, repetitive work that prepares you to perform at your best? In this powerful conversation, Michael Brenner, CEO of Right Chord Leadership, joins Alissa Bickar on Rise Above the Grind to explore leadership, communication, emotional intelligence, team dynamics, personal growth, and what it really takes to become a better leader. Using music as a powerful metaphor, Michael explains how leaders can move from discord to harmony by developing the skills, self-awareness, and discipline required to work effectively with others. 🎧 In This Episode, We Explore: What the “grind” really means — and why the unseen work behind the scenes matters. Why leadership is a skill that can be developed, not something you simply have to be born with. The importance of active listening, empathy, self-awareness, and emotional intelligence. The power of the pause and why taking a moment before responding can completely change an outcome. How reactive communication—especially emotional emails—can damage relationships and leadership credibility. Why leaders need to understand their values, purpose, boundaries, and non-negotiables. How vulnerability and humility can actually make leaders stronger and more effective. The connection between healthy communication and high-performing teams. Why precision matters—but great teams also need room for spontaneity, experimentation, and exploration. How leaders can identify and address toxicity within teams. Why mistakes don't have to define us—and how to turn a “wrong note” into something meaningful. The hidden reality behind the polished success we see on social media. Why entrepreneurs and leaders need to give themselves room to learn, practice, fail, and grow. 🎵 The Big Idea Michael's musical metaphor runs throughout the conversation: What chords are you playing? Are your actions, communication, values, relationships, and leadership in harmony—or out of tune? Leadership isn't about getting everything right. It's about developing the awareness to recognize when something is out of tune, taking responsibility, learning from it, and choosing what comes next. As Michael puts it through the lens of music, when you play a wrong note, what you do next can change the entire song. 💡 Key Takeaways Mastery happens through repetition. The preparation nobody sees is what allows you to perform with confidence when the moment arrives. Leadership is learnable. Great leadership involves competencies that can be practiced and developed over time. Pause before you respond. You don't have to act on your first emotional reaction. Creating space between stimulus and response allows for a more thoughtful and constructive choice. Know what you stand for. Self-awareness includes understanding your values, purpose, boundaries, and non-negotiables. Vulnerability isn't weakness. A leader who can say “I don't know” or “What do you think?” creates room for others to contribute and strengthens the team. Great teams need both precision and freedom. Structure creates consistency, while experimentation creates innovation. Mistakes can become growth opportunities. Instead of blame and humiliation, effective leaders examine what happened, take accountability, and create measures to improve. Calm is a leadership advantage. Sometimes the most powerful thing a leader can do is step away, regain perspective, and return with clarity. 🎤 About Michael Brenner Michael Brenner is the founder and CEO of Right Chord Leadership, a leader and team development company focused on helping leaders and teams “find their groove, get in sync, and work in harmony.” A professional musician, speaker, trainer, and doctorate holder in adult learning and leadership, Michael brings his experience in music, organizational behavior, and leadership development together to help people become more effective leaders and teammates. He is also the author of Strike the Right Chord: The Emerging Leader's Guide to Exceptional Performance. 🔗 Connect with Michael Website: Right Chord Leadership LinkedIn: Michael Y. Brenner Book: Strike the Right Chord: The Emerging Leader's Guide to Exceptional Performance 💬 Question for You What “chord” are you playing right now—and is it in harmony with the leader, entrepreneur, or person you want to become? Share your biggest takeaway from this conversation. Short YouTube Description What if becoming a great leader is less about having all the answers and more about learning how to listen, pause, adapt, and find your rhythm? In this episode of Rise Above the Grind, Alissa Bickar sits down with Michael Brenner of Right Chord Leadership for a powerful conversation about leadership, communication, emotional intelligence, team harmony, mistakes, growth, and the discipline behind mastery. From the power of the pause to knowing your values and non-negotiables, Michael shares practical insights on how leaders can move from discord to harmony—and turn their wrong notes into opportunities for growth. 🎧 Watch the full conversation and discover what it really means to Rise Above the Grind.

  5. 4d ago

    From Grinding to Purpose: Rewriting the Stories That Shape Your Life

    What if the problem isn't that you're not working hard enough but that you're working hard without knowing why? In this powerful conversation, Alissa Bickar sits down with Tommy Giorlando, “The Hockeytown Hypnotist,” to explore the difference between being constantly busy and living with intention. Tommy challenges the traditional idea of the “grind” and shares how changing the stories we tell ourselves can change the way we experience our work, relationships, habits, and lives. From “I have to” to “I get to,” from running away from what we fear to running toward what we want, and from believing our thoughts are lies to recognizing them as stories that may simply need reframing—the conversation offers practical ways to rethink the patterns that keep us stuck. In this episode, you'll discover: Why being busy all the time doesn't necessarily mean you're being productive. How purpose transforms grinding from depletion into meaningful effort. Why the question “Why am I doing this?” can completely change your relationship with work. How the stories we tell ourselves influence our behaviors and decisions. The role of imagination in creating change and seeing possibilities beyond your current circumstances. Why lasting fulfillment may come more from purpose than from chasing happiness. The powerful mindset shift from “I have to” → “I get to.” How changing a single word can change the way you experience an entire situation. Why leaders need to communicate the story behind the work, not just the numbers and tasks. How asking “Is that true?” or “Is that the wrong story?” can create space for a new perspective. Why taking breaks, playing, creating, and spending time with the people you love aren't distractions from life—they're part of it. Tommy's favorite question: “I wonder…” Key Takeaway Stop measuring your life by how much you can grind. Start asking whether what you're doing has purpose. Sometimes transformation doesn't require changing everything. It starts by changing the story you attach to what you're already doing. Instead of: “I have to.” → “I get to.” “I should.” → “I want to.” “I can't.” → “I won't.” “This is a lie.” → “Is this the wrong story?” And perhaps most importantly: “I wonder…” Because the moment you become willing to wonder, you open yourself to possibilities you couldn't see before. Conversation Chapters 00:00 — Welcome to Rise Above the Grind 03:50 — Tommy's experience with the No More 9-to-5 community 15:35 — Meet Tommy Giorlando, The Hockeytown Hypnotist 22:20 — What does “grind” really mean? 24:30 — From always busy to being purposeful 26:50 — The power of pausing, imagination and intentionality 29:15 — Breaking habits and creating new pathways 30:40 — How hypnosis can help change the stories we tell ourselves 32:00 — Moving from fear-based change to purpose-driven change 33:50 — Understanding hypnosis and the power of imagination 37:30 — The conditioning behind the hustle-and-grind mentality 41:40 — Why asking “why?” can transform teams and organizations 44:00 — Changing the story: from busy work to creating an open runway 45:15 — Purpose vs. happiness 46:25 — “I have to” vs. “I get to” 48:00 — How language shapes our experience 50:00 — Rediscovering purpose and imagining a different life 54:10 — “Is that a lie?” vs. “Is that the wrong story?” 56:30 — Why the “why” matters in leadership and teamwork 59:00 — Storytelling as a leadership tool 1:01:50 — The three pillars: Wealth, Well-being & Wisdom 1:04:15 — Tommy's biggest takeaway 1:05:50 — Creative, playful and imaginative living 1:07:40 — The power of “I wonder…” 1:08:50 — Reimagining the rest of your day 1:09:30 — Closing thoughts About Tommy Giorlando Tommy Giorlando, The Hockeytown Hypnotist, approaches hypnosis and personal transformation through storytelling, imagination, perception and intentionality. In this conversation, he explores how the internal narratives we create can influence the way we experience our habits, work and everyday lives. His approach centers on helping people examine the stories behind their behaviors and imagine new possibilities for who they can become. A Question to Take With You What would change if you stopped asking, “What do I have to do?” and started asking, “What do I get to do?” And then… I wonder what becomes possible from there? Short YouTube Description What if you don't need to work harder—you need to change the story behind why you're working? In this episode of Rise Above the Grind, Alissa Bickar sits down with Tommy Giorlando, The Hockeytown Hypnotist, for a powerful conversation about purpose, imagination, habits, mindset, leadership and the stories we tell ourselves. Discover why “I get to” can be more powerful than “I have to,” how changing your internal narrative can change your experience, and why Tommy believes one of the most powerful phrases we can ask ourselves is: “I wonder…” Because sometimes, rising above the grind begins with imagining that another way is possible.

  6. 4d ago

    Stop Grinding. Start Building With Intention.

    What if the “grind” you’ve been taught to embrace is actually keeping you from doing your best work and living your best life? In this powerful episode of Rise Above the Grind, Alissa Bickar sits down with Sophie Zollman, founder of FMD Strategic Partners, for an honest conversation about burnout, entrepreneurship, leadership, delegation, and the pressure to do everything yourself. Sophie shares how her own experience with burnout became a wake-up call and led her to embrace a different philosophy: “ease and grace, time and space.” The conversation also explores why independent healthcare and legal professionals are struggling to compete with large corporate organizations, why business owners need to stop wearing every hat, and how the right experts can create more freedom, capacity, and impact. In This Episode, We Explore: What the “grind” really means and why constant hustle can become destructive The pressure entrepreneurs feel to do everything themselves Why wearing too many hats can hurt both leaders and their teams How delegation and hiring specialists can create greater freedom Sophie’s personal wake-up call with burnout and what it taught her Why independent healthcare and legal practices need better marketing support The importance of building the right team with the right people in the right seats How AI can support business without replacing human expertise Why scaling quickly doesn't necessarily mean scaling well The connection between mindset, health, leadership, and business success How to create more ease and grace, time and space in business and life Why you don't have to build your journey alone Key Takeaways You don't have to wear every hat. Being the leader doesn't mean being the person responsible for every task. Your job is to lead, build the vision, and put the right people in the right seats. Expertise creates freedom. Hiring someone who knows how to do something well can free you to focus on the work only you can do. Burnout isn't the price of success. Sophie’s experience reinforced a powerful lesson: success doesn't have to come at the expense of your health, family, or quality of life. AI isn't a substitute for expertise. AI can be powerful, but without human judgment, experience, and fact-checking, it can create more problems than it solves. Build your business around the life you want. The goal isn't simply to create a successful business. It's to create a business that supports the life you're actually trying to live. A Powerful Reminder From Sophie “Don't do it alone. Because you don't have to.” The right support system—personally and professionally—can change what's possible. Meet Sophie Zollman Sophie Zollman is the founder of FMD Strategic Partners, a fractional marketing department serving independent, privately owned healthcare and legal service providers. Her mission is to help these businesses access enterprise-level marketing expertise without the cost and overhead of building a large in-house department—allowing them to compete, be seen, be heard, and be chosen. Sophie is also passionate about helping professionals move away from the exhaustion of the traditional hustle-and-grind mentality and toward a life and business built with greater intention. Connect With Sophie Website: FMD Strategic Partners Social: LinkedIn • X • Facebook • Instagram About Rise Above the Grind Rise Above the Grind is a space for authentic conversations with people challenging conventional thinking, disrupting their industries, and creating lives and businesses on their own terms. Hosted by Alissa Bickar, the show explores entrepreneurship, freedom, mindset, leadership, business, and the choices that allow people to move beyond the traditional 9-to-5 grind. The question isn't how much harder you can work. It's what becomes possible when you stop trying to do it all alone.

  7. Aug 23

    When Grinding Becomes the Grind: How to Work in Alignment With Who You Are

    What if the problem isn't that you're working too hard but that you're working in a way that isn't aligned with who you naturally are? In this episode of Rise Above the Grind, Alissa Bickar sits down with entrepreneur, business advisor, and coach Carl Gould, founder of 7 Stage Advisors, for a powerful conversation about identity, purpose, natural strengths, and the difference between grinding with intention and being stuck in the grind. Carl shares how understanding your natural behavioral style can help you build a business and life that require hard work without leaving you feeling constantly depleted. The conversation also explores how entrepreneurs can redefine their identity, build businesses around who they actually are, assemble aligned teams, and recognize when it's time to make a difficult pivot. In This Episode, You'll Discover: The difference between “grinding” as purposeful action and being “in the grind.” Why constantly adapting your behavior can become exhausting. How your natural style differs from your adapted style. Why you don't have to become someone else to succeed in sales or business. How your identity influences your behavior, decisions, and results. Why entrepreneurs should build their business around their authentic identity—not someone else's definition of success. How to identify when your business or career is no longer aligned with who you are. Why defining your desired destination is essential before figuring out the “how.” How hiring for alignment and natural strengths can create stronger teams. Why changing direction doesn't mean you've failed. How previous experiences can become stepping stones toward a new destination. Why sometimes not getting what you wanted can lead you to what you actually needed. Key Takeaway The goal isn't to avoid hard work. It's to make sure the hard work you're doing is aligned with who you are and where you actually want to go. When your identity, work, purpose, and actions are aligned, effort can feel less like a grind and more like meaningful progress. Notable Moments [21:03] — What does “grind” really mean? Carl explains why grinding can be positive when it represents persistence and determination—but becomes problematic when you're doing work that isn't aligned with your purpose or strengths. [23:45] — Natural vs. adapted behavior Carl introduces the distinction between our natural behavioral style and the way we adapt ourselves to meet external expectations. [29:12] — Stop trying to be someone else A powerful discussion about sales, personality, and why success doesn't require copying another person's style. [33:02] — Your business identity matters Carl explains how defining your business identity can influence how you behave, operate, and make decisions. [40:41] — Start with the life you want Jess Jorgensen shares why defining the life you want can be the starting point for building the right business. [41:24] — Identity is the governor on your life Matt Montellione explores how identity influences behavior and why you must know your destination before figuring out the route. [44:48] — Does your team understand the destination? Christy Morrell-Stinson discusses the importance of team alignment, shared vision, and getting business owners out of the owner-operator trap. [50:23] — The identity-first paradigm Willard Barth challenges the traditional “do → have → be” approach and argues for defining who you want to be first. [51:58] — When adaptation becomes too much Alissa shares a personal story about leaving a lucrative career because it required too much adaptation and wasn't aligned with how she wanted to work. [57:08] — Success doesn't always mean alignment Jess reveals how she achieved major professional success while still feeling deeply unhappy. [1:01:34] — Don't let sunk costs stop your pivot Christy shares how she walked away from a successful real estate career to pursue work that brought her greater purpose and joy. [1:03:58] — Every step can move you toward freedom Jason shares how different careers and experiences became stepping stones toward the freedom and independence he ultimately wanted. The Big Question Are you working hard because you're moving toward something you genuinely want or because you're adapting yourself to someone else's definition of success? That distinction could change everything. About Carl Gould Carl Gould is the founder of 7 Stage Advisors, a consulting and coaching team that works with small and mid-sized businesses to help them grow, scale, reach their potential, and create greater balance in their lives. About Rise Above the Grind Rise Above the Grind brings together independent thinkers, entrepreneurs, and business leaders to explore unconventional ways of thinking, building businesses, creating freedom, and moving beyond the traditional grind-and-hustle mentality. Listen. Reflect. Realign. Then rise above the grind.

  8. Aug 23

    Rise Above the Grind: How to Break Free & Move Forward

    What does it really take to rise above the daily grind and create a life and career that feels meaningful? In this episode of Rise Above the Grind, Alissa Bickar sits down with guest expert Ral West for an inspiring conversation about moving beyond the pressures, routines, and challenges that can keep us stuck. Together, they explore practical insights on resilience, personal growth, mindset, and finding the courage to rise above whatever is holding you back. In This Episode, You'll Discover: How to recognize when you're stuck in the grind The mindset shifts that can help you move forward Why resilience matters when facing challenges How to rise above setbacks without losing yourself Practical ways to create greater purpose and momentum Encouragement for anyone ready to take their next step Free Registration: Join us for this inspiring conversation and discover what it means to truly Rise Above the Grind. Thursday, March 19th at 12:30 PM EST Connect & Engage What is one thing you need to rise above right now? Share your thoughts and join the conversation.

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About

A movement designed to help you rise above mediocrity, break free from the grind, and build the life you deserve.

Information

  • Creator
    Alissa Bickar, The Consultress
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    17
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Rise Above The Grind