Are you chasing success so hard that you’re missing what really matters? In this episode of Seek Go Create, Adam Cruz—a high-performing design leader and former church planter—shares his journey from building multimillion-dollar businesses and thriving ministries to confronting burnout, brokenness, and addiction driven by unregulated ambition. Host Tim Winders dives deep with Adam into the hidden costs of hustle culture, the power of healing-driven leadership, and how redefining your “why” can transform both your work and your life. If you’ve ever wondered how to build something meaningful without losing yourself along the way, this honest conversation is a must-listen.

"A lot of times, the worst thing for someone who isn't ready for growth is to grow." - Adam Cruz

Access all show and episode resources HERE

About Our Guest:

Adam Cruz is a high-performing design leader and church planter with a track record of driving over $115 million in revenue for companies like Intuit and ZME, while also building impactful ministries. Having navigated both the heights of professional and ministry success and the costs of burnout and overwork, Adam now helps mission-driven leaders create ventures—and lives—that flourish without sacrificing what matters most. Through his work at the Healed Hustle, he guides leaders to sustainable achievement, blending strategic insight with hard-won wisdom on balance, clarity, and authentic purpose.

Reasons to Listen:

1. Unfiltered Truth About Ambition and Burnout: Discover how Adam Cruz went from leading high-impact ventures and ministries to facing a silent collapse—and what he learned about the dangers of unchecked ambition.
2. Inside Look at Healing and Sustainable Hustle: Adam and Tim dive deep into the concept of the "healed hustle," revealing real, actionable practices to pursue success without sacrificing personal health, relationships, or purpose.
3. Raw Stories and Surprising Insights: Hear candid stories—from church planting in Wyoming to tech leadership at Intuit—and explore the surprising parallels between ministry and business, addiction and achievement, and what truly anchors a meaningful life.

Episode Resources & Action Steps:

Resources Mentioned in the Episode:

1. The Healed Hustle Website – Adam Cruz’s resource for mission-driven leaders to pursue sustainable ambition without sacrificing what matters most. Take the assessment and learn more about the eight-step process: thehealedhustle.com
2. Book Recommendation: Simple Church – Mentioned by Adam as a pivotal resource that influenced their approach to ministry by focusing on doing fewer things really well. Great for anyone looking to create more focus and clarity in their work or ministry.
3. Seek Go Create Podcast – Hosted by Tim Winders, whose conversations center around redefining success, leadership, business, and faith journeys. Encourage listeners to explore more episodes for deeper insight and community.

Action Steps for Listeners:

1. Audit Your Life & Ambitions: Take time to honestly evaluate what’s driving your ambition and whether your current pace and practices are sustainable. Consider where your focus has been and if it’s aligned with your values and well-being.
2. Establish Practical Recharge Routines: Adopt a daily routine to intentionally recharge, like Adam’s “touch the grass” practice—start your day with something that connects you to the present moment and grounds you before diving into work or checking your phone.
3. Prioritize Connection and Community: Identify the relationships that matter most (like family and close friends) and intentionally invest time and energy into them, rather than letting ambition crowd them out. This anchors you during seasons of growth and challenge.

Key Lessons:

1. Unregulated Ambition Comes at a High Cost: Adam shares how relentless hustle, especially when fueled by a need to feel significant, can lead to burnout, broken relationships, and personal pain—even when the mission seems noble.
2. Why You Do Things Matters More Than What You Do: The episode highlights the difference between a healthy ‘why’—like genuine purpose—and a broken ‘why’ rooted in trying to prove worth or earn love. Healing requires honest reflection and reframing your motivation.
3. Growth Without Readiness Can Be Destructive: Scaling too quickly or achieving rapid success without a strong personal foundation can amplify underlying issues rather than solve them. Sustainable growth requires inner stability.
4. Healing Is a Lifelong, Intentional Journey: Adam’s transition from ministry to business and then to deeper personal healing illustrates that growth and sustainability require ongoing work. Tools and practices—like intentional recharge routines and prioritizing deep relationships—are essential and never “graduated.”
5. Redefining Success Is an Ongoing Process: Both Tim and Adam emphasize the importance of continually re-evaluating what success means—moving from external achievement and comparison to internal peace, impact, and meaningful connection.

Episode Highlights:

00:00 The Dangers of Unregulated Ambition

00:39 Introducing Adam Cruz: A Journey of Highs and Lows

01:26 Personal Reflections and Family Life

04:37 The Struggles of Starting and Sustaining Ideas

12:34 From Ministry to Business: A Path of Self-Discovery

17:41 The Illusion of Control and the Reality of Chaos

21:54 The Human Problem: Seeking Validation Through Achievement

32:03 The Addiction to More: Recognizing and Addressing the Issue

35:03 The Long Journey of Healing

35:39 Facing the End of a Relationship

37:15 Resignation and Fear

42:14 A Moment of Divine Intervention

45:54 Balancing Ambition and Sustainability

56:02 The Healed Hustle Framework

01:06:05 Final Thoughts and Reflections

Resources for Leaders from Tim Winders & SGC:

🎙 Unlock Leadership Excellence with Tim

• Transform your leadership and align your career with your deepest values. Schedule your Free Discovery Call now to explore how you can reach new heights in personal and professional growth. Limited slots available each month – Book your session today!

📚 Redefine Your Success with "Coach: A Story of Success Redefined"

• Challenge your perceptions and embark on a journey toward true fulfillment. Dive into transformative insights with "Coach: A Story of Success Redefined." This book will help you rethink what success means and how to achieve it on your terms. Don't miss out on this essential read—order your copy today!

Thank you for listening to Seek Go Create!

Our podcast is dedicated to empowering Christian leaders, entrepreneurs, and individuals looking to redefine success in their personal and professional lives. Through in-depth interviews, personal anecdotes, and expert advice, we offer valuable insights and actionable strategies for achieving your goals and living a life of purpose and fulfillment.

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Mentioned in this episode:

Your Next Great Read Starts Here

Looking for a book that goes beyond the ordinary? Tim Winders introduces Coach: A Story of Success Redefined—a gripping novel about success, purpose, and the deeper questions we all wrestle with. Follow the story of Cooper Travis and discover a read that just might change how you view your own journey. Grab your copy today at TimWinders.com.

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A Final Challenge: Redefine Success with Coach

Before you sign off, here’s a powerful invitation from Tim: If you’ve been inspired by the stories on Seek Go Create, take the next step with his novel, Coach: A Story of Success Redefined. It’s a transformative journey that invites leaders to rethink success and align their lives with faith, purpose, and peace. Get your copy today at TimWinders.com.

Get More Info About Coach