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In this episode, Mike sits down with Michael Schieffer—husband, father, real estate investor, and now founder of Exit Factor of O’Fallon—to explore the courageous leap from a secure W2 job into full-blown entrepreneurship. Michael shares the inner and outer journey of leaving behind a decade-long career in commercial lending, stepping into alignment with his true purpose, and navigating the mental and emotional turbulence that comes with redefining success. They unpack the fears, family dynamics, and internal programming that often keep high-performing leaders stuck—and what it really takes to create time freedom, fulfillment, and a business that serves your soul. This episode is a must-listen for anyone ready to stop surviving and start intentionally creating.

Key Takeaways

• Clarity Leads to Courage–Michael’s moment of vision didn’t come from force—it arrived through stillness and inner alignment. The courage to leap followed clarity of purpose.
• Freedom Requires Letting Go of Security–You can’t have both freedom and false security. True expansion comes from releasing comfort to step into the unknown.
• Identity Is Not Obligation–You don’t have to live the same life as your parents or meet anyone’s expectations but your own. Fulfillment starts with authenticity.
• Alignment Attracts Opportunity–Michael didn’t chase his business idea—it landed in his lap once he committed to the life he truly wanted.
• Emotional Courage Is the Real Work–Leaving a job, letting go of old identities, and choosing purpose requires you to feel it all—and move forward anyway.

Notable Quotes

“There’s part of me that’s still scared. But I’m not scared of the income. I’m doing this for more time with my family.”

“I didn’t leave because I hated my job—I left because I craved more freedom, more control of my time, and a deeper sense of purpose.”

“I was terrified to tell my parents. I had this imagined fear that they’d resent me… and none of it was true.”

“You can’t have security and freedom at the same time. If you want to be free, you have to let go of needing to feel secure.”

“I’m not trying to be anyone else anymore. I’m choosing what’s right for me and my family.”

Music Credit: "What's Left of Me" by Wes Hoffman & Friends

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Mike Kitko is an executive self-mastery coach, speaker and author. He found external success through powerful titles, incomes, and material possessions. He ultimately fell into depression, toxic abuse of alcohol, and the near collapse of his family before he began a journey of internal happiness and success.