Building the Dream: From Scratch to Seven Figures

For as long as I can remember, I’ve sprinted into everything—business, workouts, new projects—pushing at 100 percent and expecting myself to sustain that pace. But every time, I crash.

In this episode, I step back and analyze that approach. What if success isn’t about how hard you push, but how well you pace yourself? Drawing from manufacturing principles, endurance training, and my own experiences, I explore:

• Why running at 100 percent capacity isn't sustainable (for machines or humans).
• How Zone 2 heart rate training applies to business, productivity, and life.
• The importance of managing physical, mental, and emotional batteries.
• How to balance urgency with sustainability—working smarter, not just harder.

This isn’t about giving up ambition—it’s about applying it in a more strategic, sustainable way. If you’ve ever found yourself burning out, this episode is for you.

Summary Notes / Key Takeaways:

• Sprinting into everything leads to burnout. I’ve done it over and over—pushing hard, then crashing.
• Machines and people both function best at around 75 percent capacity. Running at 100 percent increases breakdowns and downtime.
• Zone 2 training teaches endurance over intensity. Working at a steady, sustainable pace lets you go further.
• The Battery Model: Managing physical, mental, and emotional energy is key to avoiding burnout.
• Urgency vs. Sustainability: The real challenge is balancing quick wins with long-term growth.
• Reframing Success: It’s not about how much you do—it’s about what you sustain over time.

Reflection Questions:

• How do you currently manage your capacity?
• What would it look like to slow down and optimize your output over the long term?
• Where are you sprinting when you should be pacing yourself?

We all fall into the trap of overcommitting—taking on too much, stretching ourselves too thin, and then hitting a wall of burnout and failure. In this episode, I dive into the reality of overcommitment, why we keep doing it, and how failure can actually be used as a tool for progress. More importantly, I share strategies for rebounding quickly, shifting perspective on failure, and learning to restart before getting stuck. This is an ongoing journey, and I don’t have all the answers yet, but I want to take you along as I navigate this challenge in real time.

Most people overestimate what they can accomplish in a year but massively underestimate what’s possible in a decade. The problem? We set short-term goals, get overwhelmed, and quit when results don’t show up fast enough.

In this episode, I break down how to set long-term, experience-based goals that actually move the needle—without burning out. We’ll talk about:

If you’ve ever struggled with goal-setting, follow-through, or staying consistent, this episode is for you. Plus, I’m adding links in the show notes with extra resources to help you put this into action.

🎧 Listen now and start turning your vision into reality—one step at a time.

🔗 Show Notes & Resources:

My Ten Year Goals Link:

Leo Moves

Cleaner Tools Opt In

This episode is all about iterative design—how small, manageable improvements can lead to big results over time. I’m breaking down how I’ve applied this approach to everything from building the first Cleaner Tools prototype out of scrap materials to figuring out social media (after an 8-year boycott), improving my email newsletters, and even making this podcast better every week.

We’ll talk about why starting small matters, how to embrace feedback, and why perfection is the enemy of progress. Whether you’re tackling a big project, starting a business, or just trying to make life a little better, this episode is all about taking action, testing, and improving as you go.

In this episode, we take a deep dive into the concept of time—how it feels like there’s never enough, why some moments drag while others fly by, and how your energy and mindset shape your perception of time. I share practical strategies for stacking activities, turning mundane tasks into productive opportunities, and playing bigger games to create more time in your life.

We’ll explore the importance of stepping into discomfort to fuel growth, streamlining routines for efficiency, and reframing your approach to time management. Whether you’re juggling a busy schedule or looking to achieve ambitious goals, this episode is packed with insights to help you expand your potential and get more out of every moment.

Tune in to discover how to make time work for you, not against you.

Episode Outline

1. Introduction

2. The Power of Stacking Activities

3. Expanding Your Time Through Bigger Goals

4. The Physics of Growth

5. Managing Growth & Prioritization

6. Closing Reflections on Time

Resource:

Capitalism.com pod cast with guest Dr. Robert Glover

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5n8reD6jVANDSHGwOJY97l?si=46e6f4f44dcc49a4

The Feedback Filter: Navigating Reactions While Building a Business 

Outline:

1. Introduction Personal update:

2. Why People’s Opinions Affect Us

3. The Four Types of People You’ll Encounter

4. Lessons from Each Group

5. Managing Emotional Responses

6. Building Resilience and Discernment

7. Focusing on the Target Audience

8. The Two-Way Feedback Filter

9. Conclusion and Final Thoughts

I discuss the challenges mentally of getting started and how you cant do it on your own. The important of outside materials to help you fight your own brain.

Video mentioned:

https://youtu.be/ObADqgIjihc?si=osKbv9jQJv2hQj8T

Want to follow my journey more closely? Signup for my weekly newsletter on the product and bsuiness development here:

https://www.getcleanertools.com/pl/2148617662

Lets Start at well... the start. This episode will cover my background, my motivations for starting this business, and how and why I got the ball rolling. Also this my first ever podcast soooo... you have been warned.

Ryan Moran's Video:

https://youtu.be/eb0qhFk9ZuA

Let me know your thoughts!

Want to follow my journey more closely? Signup for my weekly newsletter on the product and business development here:

https://josh-stein.mykajabi.com/opt-in