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EP 21: Mike Claudio — Ditching The Cushy Corporate Life For A Career With Meaning
Mike Claudio had what many would consider a cushy job at Verizon Wireless, working within their corporate sales team. His clients were major international companies, from Volvo to US Airways, and he was considered a top performer, hitting 250% of his quota for three years running. But the pace was brutal.
“It’s a rollercoaster that’s not for the faint of heart,” Mike says. “Looking back now, it ruins a lot of people. Because you’re never allowed to be satisfied — happiness will at most last 15 days. Like, ‘Hit my quota halfway through the month, I’m happy now.’ You just never, ever, ever felt like you could get ahead.”
Mike wasn’t just unhappy at work. He was also “fat, miserable and an alcoholic” in his personal life. But the pay and benefits were persuasive — until one day, a decade down the line, they weren’t anymore.
“I’m in the same office as this guy who I’m going to be replacing… I remember looking at him and going, he’s been in that job for 17 years. He’s 400 pounds and miserable. And I went, that’s going to be me. I was making $170K a year, was 27 years old. I had the life. I had the Cadillac, I had the house, I had the wife, I had the trips. I had whatever the f*** I wanted. But I remember looking at him going, ‘I’m too young to be the next thing I’m looking forward to is retirement.’”
In this episode of the Working For a Dream Podcast, Mike tells Patrick how he decided he was worth more and how today, as founder of WinRate Consulting, he helps clients and businesses find their “more,” too.
What You’ll Learn:
- What happened when Mike ultimately turned his back on corporate life (and why people’s reaction counterintuitively confirmed he’d made the right move)
- The difference between empathy vs sympathy for employees and others topics he coaches companies on today
- What kind of impact he’s making through his Champion Shoes nonprofit
- And much more!
Favorite Quote:
“I don't look at the big picture. If you look at my mission statement as a person, I want to have an impact with every conversation I have... I don't think enough people focus on the now. Right? I'm focused on this conversation and being in tune and being dedicated and focused. I'm not on my phone, worried about text messages… I have big goals, big visions, and big targets I want to hit, but I play the small ball. I do the work other people won’t, I show up when other people won't, and I do the little things right that matter.”
— Mike Claudio
How to Get Involved:
Connect with Mike:
WinRate Consulting
A Champion’s Shoes
Connect with Patrick:
View all episodes
By Patrick Bolanos
4.9
6464 ratings
Mike Claudio had what many would consider a cushy job at Verizon Wireless, working within their corporate sales team. His clients were major international companies, from Volvo to US Airways, and he was considered a top performer, hitting 250% of his quota for three years running. But the pace was brutal.
“It’s a rollercoaster that’s not for the faint of heart,” Mike says. “Looking back now, it ruins a lot of people. Because you’re never allowed to be satisfied — happiness will at most last 15 days. Like, ‘Hit my quota halfway through the month, I’m happy now.’ You just never, ever, ever felt like you could get ahead.”
Mike wasn’t just unhappy at work. He was also “fat, miserable and an alcoholic” in his personal life. But the pay and benefits were persuasive — until one day, a decade down the line, they weren’t anymore.
“I’m in the same office as this guy who I’m going to be replacing… I remember looking at him and going, he’s been in that job for 17 years. He’s 400 pounds and miserable. And I went, that’s going to be me. I was making $170K a year, was 27 years old. I had the life. I had the Cadillac, I had the house, I had the wife, I had the trips. I had whatever the f*** I wanted. But I remember looking at him going, ‘I’m too young to be the next thing I’m looking forward to is retirement.’”
In this episode of the Working For a Dream Podcast, Mike tells Patrick how he decided he was worth more and how today, as founder of WinRate Consulting, he helps clients and businesses find their “more,” too.
What You’ll Learn:
- What happened when Mike ultimately turned his back on corporate life (and why people’s reaction counterintuitively confirmed he’d made the right move)
- The difference between empathy vs sympathy for employees and others topics he coaches companies on today
- What kind of impact he’s making through his Champion Shoes nonprofit
- And much more!
Favorite Quote:
“I don't look at the big picture. If you look at my mission statement as a person, I want to have an impact with every conversation I have... I don't think enough people focus on the now. Right? I'm focused on this conversation and being in tune and being dedicated and focused. I'm not on my phone, worried about text messages… I have big goals, big visions, and big targets I want to hit, but I play the small ball. I do the work other people won’t, I show up when other people won't, and I do the little things right that matter.”
— Mike Claudio
How to Get Involved:
Connect with Mike:
WinRate Consulting
A Champion’s Shoes
Connect with Patrick: