Michael Brody-Waite, a recovering addict, acclaimed speaker, 3x CEO, Inc. 500 Founder, andleadership coach is on a mission to revolutionize the rules of leadership. Michael's unique perspective, from a background in overcoming addiction, is the foundation for his Mask Free Leadership System, built upon three principles that saved him from death and set him apart as a leader.

His TEDx talk, Great Leaders Do What Drug Addicts Do, has been viewed nearly 1,000,000 times in over 25 countries and provides insight into his 16-year journey from near homelessness and addiction to successful entrepreneurship.

With no college degree, Michael entered corporate America and went on to receive eight promotions in seven years. He went from a temporary representative at a kiosk in a mall for a Fortune 50 company to be a corporate manager of a three-state territory with 19 employees and responsibility for $250 million in revenue.

In 2010, Michael left that Fortune 50 company at the height of the recession to co-found and lead InQuicker, a healthcare SaaS company that revolutionized how patients schedule appointments. His leadership grew the organization from two employees to 50 employees, and 20,000% revenue growth in less than six years. This exceptional growth landed InQuicker a spot on the Inc. 500 list of Fastest-Growing Private Companies, Best Place to Work by the Nashville Business Journal four times and recognized as Healthcare Company of the Year by the Nashville Chamber of Commerce. In 2015, InQuicker was sold to a publicly traded company.

Brody-Waite's accomplishments include being named Most Admired CEO, Top 40 Under 40 by the Nashville Business Journal, and recognized by the Nashville Chamber of Commerce as Healthcare Entrepreneur of the Year.

Michael has worked in retail, spent nearly a decade in corporate America, and most recently served as the CEO of the Nashville Entrepreneur Center, a 501c3 dedicated to connecting 2,000+ entrepreneurs with the resources they need to create, launch or grow a business.

Michael calls Nashville home with his wife, Elizabeth, and beautiful daughter, Amorette.

Show Highlights:

There are three things that I teach in starting a business: the first is practice rigorous authenticity, the second is surrender the outcome, and the third is do uncomfortable work. —Michael Brody WaiteUncomfortable work comes down to a physical sense in our body. The key to uncomfortable work is the two principles that come before it. The two things that stop uncomfortable work are when you lack clarity and energy. —Michael Brody WaiteWe focus so much on what we can't control and not enough on what you can control. —Michael Brody WaiteWe're so focused on others that a lot of us have forgotten how to lead ourselves. —Michael Brody Waite

Michael's final thoughts: Entrepreneurship is one of the loneliest things you can do, but you're not alone. You don't need to figure it out on your own, you should learn how to ask for help—just like a drug addict needs to.

The Action Catalyst is a weekly podcast hosted by Dan Moore, President of Southwestern Advantage, the oldest direct-sales company in America, and Partner with Southwestern Consulting. With more than 45 years in sales leadership and marketing management, Dan has a wealth of knowledge to share on how to make better use of time to achieve life, sales, and other business goals. Each week, he interviews some of the nation’s top thought leaders and experts, sharing meaningful tips and advice. Subscribe on iTunes and please leave a rating and review!