What does real transformation actually require?

In this episode of Dunn On Purpose, I sit down with Luke Nelson, a coach with The Elliott Group, for a grounded conversation about leadership, identity, and the W.A.R.R.I.O.R. framework taught by Andy Elliott.

Rather than breaking W.A.R.R.I.O.R. down as a theory, this conversation explores how the framework is lived—in business, fitness, relationships, faith, and daily decision-making.

We talk about:

Why W.A.R.R.I.O.R. is a code, not a checklist

The role of physical discipline in mental and emotional leadership

Awareness as responsibility, not information

ReCreate as whole-life transformation, not escape

Why most growth fails without integration

Ownership as a daily decision

Reach as meeting people where they are and helping them grow

This episode isn’t about motivation.

It’s about standards, responsibility, and becoming the kind of person who can sustain success.

The W.A.R.R.I.O.R. framework comes from Andy Elliott’s book Total Recreation, and this conversation serves as both an introduction to Luke and a practical walkthrough of how the framework is coached and applied.

👉 Companion piece: Power Acronym 247: W.A.R.R.I.O.R.

If this conversation resonated, consider subscribing for more conversations on leadership, purpose, discipline, and personal growth.

In this episode of Dunn On Purpose, I sit down with Luke Nelson, a coach with The Elliott Group, for a grounded conversation about leadership, identity, and what real transformation actually requires.

Rather than breaking down W.A.R.R.I.O.R. as a concept, this episode explores how the framework is lived, coached, and applied—inside business, relationships, faith, fitness, and everyday decision-making.

Luke shares his personal journey, what drew him to the Elliott Group culture, and what he’s learned coaching people who want change but struggle with consistency. Together, we walk through each pillar of the W.A.R.R.I.O.R. framework and discuss where people most often resist growth—and what happens when they stop avoiding ownership.

This conversation isn’t about hype or motivation.It’s about standards, responsibility, and building a whole life that can sustain success.

What We Cover

* Luke’s path into coaching and personal development

* Why W.A.R.R.I.O.R. is a code, not a checklist

* The role of physical discipline in mental and emotional leadership

* Awareness as responsibility—not information

* Why relationships and proximity accelerate growth

* ReCreate as whole-life transformation, not escape

* Integration: why most growth fails to stick after events

* Ownership as a daily decision, not a personality trait

* Reach as meeting people where they are and helping them grow at their pace

Key Takeaways

Frameworks don’t change lives.People do—when they’re willing to live by them.

W.A.R.R.I.O.R. doesn’t promise results.It requires commitment, humility, discipline, and follow-through.

About the Guest

Luke Nelson is a coach with The Elliott Group, working closely with individuals who want to elevate their leadership, sales performance, and personal standards. His approach centers on accountability, identity, and helping people integrate growth across every area of life.

If this episode resonated with you, you may also enjoy the written companion piece:Power Acronym 247: W.A.R.R.I.O.R.

And as always—take what you hear, reflect on it, and act on what matters.

Everyone wants this year to be better than the last—even if they won’t say it out loud.

In this episode, I revisit Power Acronym 24: W.I.N., an idea I originally shared in January 2025 and felt compelled to return to as 2026 begins.

W.I.N. is more than a motivational phrase—it’s an orientation.A way to decide how you show up when things get hard, uncertain, or demanding.

The original version of W.I.N. comes from Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps and asks a simple but demanding question:

What’s Important Now?

In this episode, I expand that idea with a second posture that’s become necessary in this season of life:

Whatever Is Next.

Together, they form a true win–win mindset—one that grounds you in present action while keeping you ready to adapt to what’s coming.

This conversation is about focus, presence, execution, readiness, and calm anticipation—not hype, not prediction, and not spectacle.

It’s about orientation.

In This Episode

* Why most people want a better year—even if they reject New Year’s resolutions

* What it actually means to “win” day by day

* How What’s Important Now sharpens focus, presence, and execution

* Why progress is built through process, not just goals

* How to reverse-engineer big 2026 goals into daily action

* Why staying present is a competitive advantage (especially in endurance and leadership)

* How Whatever Is Next builds readiness without anxiety

* Adapting early when the year brings unexpected challenges

* Why growth requires letting go of what’s comfortable or “normal”

* Leadership as proactive orientation, not reaction

Key Ideas & References

* The original W.I.N. framework from No Limits by Michael Phelps

* Presence and endurance insights from Chadd Wright

* Quotes and ideas referenced from Grant Cardone and Andy Elliott

* Power Acronyms as tools that only work when action follows belief

Core Takeaway

Keep a steady focus on the action you need to take today.Hold a calm, confident readiness for whatever comes next.

That’s how you W.I.N.

That’s a win–win.

Listen / Subscribe

If this episode resonated with you, subscribe at PowerAcronym.com and join me each week as we explore leadership, discipline, and intentional living through the language of Power Acronyms.

This episode is different.

UNICORN isn’t a personality type or a motivational idea.It’s a leadership standard.

In this episode, I unpack what it means to lead in a moment where standing out is easy—but standing up is rare. UNICORN is an acronym that describes a way of governing yourself when pressure, noise, automation, and low standards make it tempting to drift, conform, or perform.

UNICORN leaders are:

Unleashed — not reckless, but no longer self-censoring

Nonconforming — calm, grounded, and unwilling to live by default norms

Intentional — choosing direction over drift

Creative — shaping meaning and solutions in a changing world

Optimistic — engaging possibility instead of retreating into cynicism

Rare — consistent, dependable, and decent in a low-trust culture

Necessary — because people aren’t starving for content, they’re starving for examples

This episode isn’t about being special.It’s about being responsible.

If you’ve felt the quiet tension of knowing it’s time to stand up—this conversation is for you.

Read the post on my Substack here.

This episode continues the Separation Season conversation that began with A.L.O.N.E.Where ALONE focused on internal work, A.P.A.R.T. is about external activation.

Reflection has a shelf life.Eventually, it must turn into action.

Being set apart isn’t about isolation or superiority.It’s about intentionally becoming someone different through the actions you take.

In this episode, I introduce A.P.A.R.T., a five-part framework for turning intention into identity:

* Affirm who you’re becoming through action

* Picture a clear self-image to guide behavior

* Actualize by doing the work, not just thinking about it

* Reinforce new habits through structure and repetition

* Transform as effort becomes identity over time

We explore why affirmation and visualization matter — but only when paired with action — and how real growth happens when behavior aligns with purpose.

This is about choosing your direction instead of drifting into default patterns.

ALONE prepares you.A.P.A.R.T. reveals you.

If you enjoyed this and are interested in receiving more Power Acronyms to your inbox, consider subscribing!

In this episode, I break down Power Acronym 207: G.R.O.W., a coaching model from BNI that doubles as a powerful year-end reflection tool. December is a reflective season, and scribing, journaling, and answering intentional prompts can accelerate breakthroughs both personally and professionally.

I also share why I believe prompts are power, and why the G.R.O.W. framework is perfect for preparing for 2026—not by accident, but on purpose.

In This Episode:

* Why scribing is one of the most transformational habits from S.A.V.E.R.S.

* The origin of G.R.O.W. and how it became Power Acronym 207

* How prompts accelerate breakthroughs

* The breakdown of G.R.O.W.:

* G — Goal: Where do you want to go long-term?

* R — Reality: What’s true right now?

* O — Options: What opportunities open when you explore possibility?

* W — Will: Where does your momentum begin?

* Why December is the “practice run” for 2026

* How these questions apply whether you’re leading yourself, your business, or your chapter

Questions Featured in This Episode:

Goal:

* What do you want to achieve long term?

* Is that positive, challenging, and attainable?

* Will that be of real value to you?

Reality:

* What is working well at the moment?

* What obstacles are in your way?

* What is within your control here?

Options:

* What could you do that would help you achieve your goal?

* What do you think would happen if you did that?

* What do you think would happen if you did nothing?

Will:

* What will you do?

* What resources or support will you need?

* When should we review your progress?

BNI Gilmer Event

If you’re in East Texas, join us for the BNI Gilmer Buckeye Business Network Interest Meeting on Wednesday, December 10th.

Meet founding members, grow your network, and learn how BNI can grow your business through structured referrals.

👉 Register with the link 👉 You can also find the event on Facebook

👉 Or reach out to me directly via his Substack, PowerAcronym.com

Let’s Connect

I’m available for 1:1 conversations (in person or virtual) to walk through your G.R.O.W. reflections or explore deeper coaching questions.

Growth happens in conversation. Let’s talk.

This episode is the live recording of Power Acronym 206: A.L.O.N.E. — my Separation Season playbook for doing the inner work while everyone else is coasting. Instead of reading the post, I made some notes and went through the acronym and shared more stories, context, and questions to help you actually apply it.

If you’re feeling the pull to check out, wait for January 1st, or just “get through” the holidays, my hope is that this conversation gives you a simple framework to separate from your old patterns and quietly become someone new.

In this episode:

* What “Separation Season” is and why this time of year quietly pulls us onto autopilot

* A = Awareness – why you can’t leave where you won’t admit you are, and 3 journaling prompts to assess your energy, work, and relationships

* L = Love – using data as a flashlight, not a hammer, and changing the tone of voice you use with yourself

* O = Origin – Joseph Campbell, Frodo, and how to see yourself as an Overcomer (loss, betrayal, failure, trauma, rejection)

* N = No – how being a high-I/S “mutual yes-machine” wrecks your boundaries, plus Tim Ferriss’s practical tools for saying no

* E = Emerge – performance = knowledge minus leashes, the elephant and the tiny stake, and how to know when you’re quietly becoming someone new

Reflection prompts:

* Where am I really—in my energy, work, and love?

* How do I usually talk to myself after a mistake—and would a friend stick around if I talked to them that way?

* What kind of Overcomer am I right now: loss, betrayal, failure, trauma, or rejection?

* What’s the #1 thing I need to start saying No to this season?

* What’s one escape hatch I’m willing to feel through instead of use at least once this week?

If this episode resonates, you can read the full Power Acronym 206: A.L.O.N.E. post on Substack and watch for Part Two, A.P.A.R.T., dropping December 17.

It's time to take Power Acronym to the next level! Power Acronym is a daily practice of turning words into frameworks that encourage, enrich, and empower—teaching the Language of Leadership one acronym at a time. The Failing Forward Series dives deeper into that mission, exploring how setbacks shape success and how reflection turns mistakes into momentum. I'm excited to keep curating and creating these for small business owners, leaders, and anyone looking to grow!

In this episode of Dunn On Purpose, host Aaron Dunn dives into the concept of the New Year and how it can serve as a catalyst for personal growth and transformation. As we settle into 2025, Aaron encourages listeners to reflect on their engagement with the New Year and where they fit within his unique "New Year Engagement Matrix."

Join Aaron as he explores four distinct categories:

The Achiever: Thriving on action, growth, and accomplishment.

The Preserver: Finding comfort in routines but needing a spark of enthusiasm.

The Explorer: Energized by new possibilities but often lacking discipline.

The Wanderer: Stuck in a state of inaction and uncertainty.

Throughout the episode, Aaron poses thought-provoking questions tailored to each category, helping you identify your current mindset and encouraging you to take actionable steps toward a more purposeful life.

Whether you're feeling ambitious or apathetic, this episode is packed with insights to help you make the most of 2025. www.dunnonpurpose.com

In this episode of the Done On Purpose podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Shawn Ingram, the owner of Custom Graphics Texas and the founder of Longview Connections. We delved into Shawn's journey in the custom graphics business, which he acquired in 2019, and how he has expanded its offerings beyond small signs to include a wide range of branding services. Shawn shared his insights on the importance of strong communication and customer service in business, emphasizing that when people buy branded products, they are excited and engaged, which makes the work fulfilling.

We also explored the concept of community through Longview Connections, a grassroots networking organization that Sean started to foster relationships among local businesses. He described how the group has grown from humble beginnings to over 80 active members, creating a supportive environment where members can network, share resources, and collaborate. Sean highlighted the group's motto, "community over competition," which reflects their commitment to uplifting one another and giving back to the community.

A significant highlight of our conversation was Shawn's recent initiative to distribute funds raised through Longview Connections to local non-profits, demonstrating the group's dedication to making a positive impact in the community. We discussed the importance of volunteering and serving others, and how these actions can lead to unexpected rewards in both personal and professional realms.

Throughout the episode, Shawn's passion for his work and his commitment to fostering a sense of community were evident. He shared valuable advice for entrepreneurs, emphasizing the importance of integrity, transparency, and customer service in building a successful business. This episode serves as an inspiring reminder of the power of connection, collaboration, and giving back to the community.