Two widowmaker heart attacks will either break your story or rewrite it. I sit down with Adrian “AJ” Jones, a longtime financial services leader who had to confront the question most high performers avoid until something forces it: what if the life you built no longer matches who you are? AJ walks me through the early twists that pulled him from international relations into finance, how comfort can become a trap, and how “fine” can mask deep misalignment.

We get candid about what happens after a major health scare when the paycheck still feels safer than the calling. AJ shares the messy middle: going back to work, feeling the strain in his body through anxiety and sleeplessness, and realizing that identity, fear, and momentum can keep you stuck even when you know better. Then comes the second shock, another heart attack, and a sharper lesson that career success means nothing without health.

AJ also breaks down the evolution of his company, More, from a broad community idea to a focused mission around alignment and authentic truth. We talk about career reinvention, burnout signals, and why alignment may be more than motivation. AJ is building evidence into his work with psychology and neuroscience, and he shares resources, including his book, "Powered by Authenticity," and his podcast, Code 3: Life Reinvented.

If you know someone who’s high on achievement but low on aliveness, share this conversation with them. Subscribe to Beyond Expertise and leave a review so more people can find stories that help them reinvent with purpose.

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For more information and insights from Beyond Expertise, visit https://podcast.ericdickmann.com/

Be sure to check out Eric's other show, The Virtual CMO podcast.