We all know the drill: January hits, motivation spikes, and we promise ourselves "this is the year." Yet, statistics show that enthusiasm fades rapidly. In this episode, the duo dives deep into the concept of having "A Thousand Excuses," but not a single good reason to neglect your potential. whether it's health, business, or relationships, this discussion is the spark you need to move from intention to action. Key Highlights

• The Predictable Cycle of Quitting: Alvin outlines the "Gym Cycle." January is packed (no parking spots), but by February or March, the "bowling alley" returns as excuses set in—pain, lack of immediate results, or busyness. This cycle repeats in summer (BBQs) and the holidays, proving we can always find an excuse to wait.
• Health is the Ultimate Wealth: Out of the 8.0 billion people on this planet, no one can name something more important than health. It isn't just about existing; it is about thriving so you can shovel snow, run up a hill, or play with your grandkids.
• The "Man in the Mirror" Reality: Brandon emphasizes that while fear (False Evidence Appearing Real) generates excuses, you must look deep in the mirror. There is no magic pill, and nobody is coming to save you. Total responsibility falls on you.
• The Power of Association: You are the sum total of the 5 people you spend the most time with. If your circle doesn't support your growth, or if they encourage mediocrity, it is nearly impossible to level up.
• Aim Higher and Start Small: Humans often set goals too low and hit them, rather than aiming high and missing. The key is breaking big goals into fundamentals. You might not be able to do 20 push-ups in a row today, but you can do two sets of ten, or ten sets of two. Just start.
• Comfort is the Enemy of Growth: If you aren't growing, you are degenerating. Biological cells die and regenerate; time moves forward regardless of your actions. To stay vital, you must embrace the "suck" and get uncomfortable.
• The "Get To" Mindset: Shift your perspective from "I have to do this" to "I get to do this." Whether it is education or exercise, having the freedom and ability to improve yourself is a privilege, not a chore.
• Don't Stare at the Past: As Brandon quotes, "It's okay to look at the past, but don't stare." The windshield is larger than the rearview mirror for a reason. Focus on where you are going, not where you have been.

Final Thoughts Time is a thief that offers no refunds. As we move into this new year, you have a choice: you can be a victim of change, or you can be a victor who adapts and grows. Stop looking for the perfect time; it doesn't exist. Find your "why," make the process fun, and get comfortable with being uncomfortable. As the team signs off: Peace, love, and a sprinkle of soul.

In this deeply personal and reflective episode of Personal Mastery Training, the Alliance gathers to close out a challenging 2025. For host Alvin Brown, this year brought the profound loss of his 31-year-old son and the show's beloved co-host, Dr. Charlie Cartwright. These events sparked a vital conversation about the concept of "Borrowed Time." We often live under the illusion that we have endless time to chase our dreams, but the reality is that life is unscripted and finite. As we transition into 2026, the question isn't just about what you want to achieve, but how you intend to live the time you have left. This episode is a reminder that life is not a dress rehearsal—it is happening right now. Key Highlights

• The Reality of Borrowed Time: Every cell in our body is destined for apoptosis (cell death). We are biologically living on borrowed time. Alvin shares that regardless of how healthy or righteous we live, life is unpredictable. We must stop living "lives of quiet desperation" and start playing the music that is inside of us today.
• One Less Day, Not One More: Brandon shifts the perspective on how we view our calendar. We shouldn't look at tomorrow as just "one more day" added to our lives, but rather as "one less day" remaining in our bank. When you realize the count is going down, not up, you stop sweating the small stuff and start valuing the things that truly matter.
• Clocked Time vs. Lived Time: Ray introduces a powerful distinction. "Clocked time" is simply existing and punching the clock of life. "Lived time" consists of the rare, special moments that give our lives color and meaning. We need to audit our lives to ensure we aren't just passing time, but actually creating memories.
• Bring Value to the Hour: Inspired by Jim Rohn, the group discusses that you don't get paid (in money or joy) for the hour; you get paid for the value you bring to the hour. Whether it is in business or relationships, richness comes from how you make people feel and the energy you bring to the interaction.
• The Privilege of Aging: Getting older is a privilege denied to many. The goal is to age with vibrancy so that when you look back at photos of your life, you see joy and energy at every stage. Be the kind of elder that younger generations want to sit with because you have a life full of stories and wisdom to share.
• Power Words for 2026: The hosts chose their guiding words for the upcoming year:
• Alvin: Acceptance (The newly identified 5th Pillar of Mastery).
• Brandon: Embrace (The opportunities and the moment).
• Ray: Burn (Let your inner light shine).

Final Thoughts As we wrap up this year, take a moment to look at the "season" of life you are in. Are you waiting for permission to be yourself? Are you holding onto baggage that is weighing you down? The Alliance reminds us that the best time to start is today. You cannot dream big enough, so don't let the fear of inadequacy stop you from launching forward. Honor the memory of those who have passed by living your life fully, vibrantly, and without regret. Peace, Love, and Soul.

We often find ourselves trapped in the "relentless pursuit" of success, constantly moving the goalposts and feeling that we are never "good enough." But what if the secret to achieving your dreams wasn't found in the chase, but in a profound shift in identity? The truly successful understand that the goal is not to pursue success—it is to become the person who effortlessly attracts it. Key Highlights: The Strategy to Attract Success

• The Trap of the "Enough Bar": Many of us live in "quiet desperation," chasing an arbitrary idea of success (more money, next degree, next car). This "enough bar" constantly moves, leading to continuous emptiness because the focus is on the outcome, not the inner work.
• The Paradigm Shift: Success should be attracted, not pursued. This means the quest is not for the "thing" itself, but for the person you must become to be capable of attracting and holding that thing. (Credit to Jim Rohn for this philosophy).
• The Value of the Journey: The real reward of any challenging pursuit (like a 16-week transformation) is not the medals or the outcome, but the character traits you develop along the way: Discipline, Focus, Trusting the Process, and Patience.
• Define Your Success: You must first clearly define what success means to you, without comparing yourself to others. What would have to happen for you to feel a sense of accomplishment?
• Craft Your Identity: Once you know what you want, ask: "Who do I have to become?"
  • Find a mentor living the life you desire.
  • Adopt their "alter ego" or mindset.
  • Practice the Be, Do, Have principle: Be that successful person now, Do the things they would do, and you will Have what you desire.
• Bring More Value: You get paid for the value you bring to the hour, not the hour itself. To elevate your life, you must elevate your skills. Invest in courses, mentorship, and self-improvement (refining your skills).
• Be the Thermostat: Stop being a thermometer that only reflects the temperature of the room (your circumstances). Become the thermostat that actively sets the temperature (the energy, the impact, the value) in your life and environment.

Become Attractive, Not Chasing Success is not an external thing to be hunted down; it is a mirror reflecting your personal growth. By focusing on constant and never-ending improvement—by adding value to yourself and the world—you transform into an attractive person with compelling energy. Stop chasing the goal, and start becoming the one who is inherently worthy of it.

Our entire philosophy at Personal Mastery Training is built on one radical idea: In order to achieve mastery, we cannot simply get through challenges. We must strategically seek to get something from them.

We understand the seasons of nature perfectly. Spring is for growth. Summer is for harvest. Autumn is for beautiful decay and letting go. But then there is the fourth season: Winter.

Winter shows up in our personal lives, and it often leads us to panic. It's not always cold outside, but it is freezing inside. It's the season of unexpected layoffs, financial downturns, health setbacks, profound loss, or a nagging creative block.

It is that time when the lights dim, the external noise goes quiet, and we are forced into deep introspection.

My Personal Winter

I'm sharing this with you not from a place of theory, but from the trenches. 2025 has been a season of deep winters for me. Earlier this year, I lost my son to cancer. Recently, I lost a dear friend and co-host of the Alliance, Dr. Charlie Cartwright.

I am in the deep winter. But this pain has become my motivation to share the philosophy of the seasons—wisdom I learned from the modern-day philosopher Jim Rohn—so that we can navigate these dark times together.

The "Summer Mode" Trap

The primary source of suffering during winter comes from the narratives we cling to. We are culturally conditioned to believe we should always be in "Summer Mode."

Thanks to social media and FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out), we think we should always be growing, always achieving, and always producing a visible harvest. When winter hits, an unhelpful inner voice screams: "Why haven't I figured this out? Why am I not happy? I am failing because I have nothing to show."

We try to manufacture a summer feeling. We fill our calendars and double down on external effort, even though our environment is screaming at us to stop.

Winter is Not a Punishment; It's Preparation

We have to accept the purpose of winter. It is not a punishment. It is a vital, non-negotiable phase of life.

Think of a seed. It cannot grow until it is broken open in the dark, cold ground. The deep, transformative work of life happens in the dark.

I love this wisdom: "We won't rise to the occasion when something happens; we will fall to the level of our preparation."

My family and I are surviving this tragedy not because we are superhuman, but because previous winters prepared us. We are falling to our level of preparation.

How to Navigate the Cold: Strategic Stillness

If you are in a financial, mental, spiritual, or existential winter, how do you handle the stillness without falling into paralyzing stagnation?

1. Practice Essentialism Winter is the time to cut dead branches. In business, you consolidate resources. In life, you declutter. This season has forced me to become brutally non-negotiable about what I say "yes" to. Ask yourself: What foundational belief about myself is dying off so something stronger can take its place?

2. Turn Pain into Purpose Stagnation is avoidance. Productive stillness is intentionality. I could have gone "zero dark thirty" and hidden from the world after losing my son. Instead, we chose to turn pain into purpose. We raised $65,000 for a foundation in his name. We focused on helping others get healthy. The way I grieve is to be of service.

3. Set a Winter Intention Don't set a goal for an outcome (like "get a new job" or "be happy"). Set an intention for a skill.

• Example: "My intention is to learn how to sit with discomfort without seeking a destructive escape."

The Power of Protective Habits

In the summer, your habits are focused on output. In the winter, your habits must pivot to input and protection.

• Protect your time.

• Protect your energy.

• Prioritize rest.

We have a toxic narrative that says, "I'm too busy to rest." You must replace that with: "Rest is my most productive activity right now." It is an act of proactive self-mastery. You are stocking your internal pantry for the coming spring.

The Ultimate Gift of Winter

If we leverage this season correctly, we gain two things we can never get from summer:

1. Unshakable Resilience: Summer teaches you how to enjoy the harvest. Winter teaches you that you can survive when the field is barren. It teaches you that your worth is not tied to your productivity.

2. Profound Self-Intimacy: In the quiet of winter, you finally hear your authentic voice. You stop worrying about who the world expects you to be and align with who you truly are.

This Too Shall Pass

It is always darkest before the dawn. If you are in the cold right now, know that the light will return. But don't just wait for it—utilize the dark. Let the pain change you. Let it be the incubator for your greatest future self.

Don't just get through it. Get from it.

To my son, and to Dr. Charlie Cartwright—one love.

Peace, love, and a sprinkle of soul.

"Don't get through it, get from it." That is the mantra of the Personal Mastery Training podcast, but in this specific episode, the Alliance—Alvin and Raymond—faced a challenge that was difficult to simply "get through." On November 8th, the Alliance lost a dear member, Dr. Charlie Cartwright, after a battle with cancer and a stroke. Life is not a storybook; the hero doesn't always ride off into the sunset. However, as Alvin and Raymond discussed, while we cannot control the unpredictability of life, we can control the legacy we leave behind. This post is dedicated to the wisdom of Dr. Charlie Cartwright. It is a dissection of a life lived with relentless passion, humility, and a desire to make the world better. Life is Not Linear One of the most profound lessons Charlie embodied was that your starting point does not dictate your ending point. When Alvin first met Charlie, he saw a polished, successful speaker. But behind the suit was a history of grit. Charlie put himself through four years of chiropractic school while raising children. There were times when Charlie struggled so much he was dragging a lawnmower up the street to cut lawns just to make ends meet. He wore suits from Value Village. He had three breakfast bars in his pocket at high-end summits. But he never let his current circumstances define his potential. As Raymond noted, "Life is not linear." You might go from point A to B, then back to D, then over to C. What matters is that you are relentless about your vision. Charlie burned his ships and took massive leaps of faith—leaving secure jobs to pursue his dream of speaking—because he refused to settle. 4 Wisdoms from Dr. Charlie Throughout years of Sunday conversations, Dr. Charlie shared insights that Alvin and Raymond have carried with them. Here are four pillars of his philosophy: 1. The Seeds of Greatness Charlie often used the metaphor that we all walk around with "seeds of greatness" in our pockets. But a seed in your pocket does nothing. It has to be taken out, planted, watered, and nurtured. Potential means nothing unless it is used. Charlie didn't just plant seeds; he planted his flag. He built his house upon his potential and committed to seeing it through. The question he leaves us with is: What are you doing with the seeds in your pocket? 2. The Disney Standard Charlie lived by a quote from Walt Disney: "Do what you do so well that they want to see it again and bring their friends." Whether you are a writer, a leader, a parent, or a friend, the goal is to execute with such excellence and passion that people cannot help but share your work with others. True success is when your impact is so undeniable that people want to bring others into your orbit. 3. The Power of the Present We spend so much time anxious about the future or regretting the past. Charlie reminded us: "The present is the only place life ever happens. Yet it's the place we visit the least." Anxiety lives in the anticipation of the future; guilt lives in the past. Peace lives in the now. The fact that you are reading this means you have time, you have breath, and you have opportunity. Honor the present moment. 4. Labels Fracture Opportunities In a world obsessed with survival, we instantly judge people to determine if they are "safe." We label based on race, job, culture, and appearance. Charlie taught that "The labels we place on other people fracture opportunities." When you label someone, you put them in a box. In doing so, you might miss meeting someone amazing—someone who could change your life, or someone whose life you could change. Dig Deeper: A Final Lesson on Friendship Raymond shared a touching realization from the suddenness of Charlie's passing. One Sunday Charlie wasn't on the call, and the next, he was gone. There was no chance to say goodbye. This reality brings a sharp focus to our relationships. We often keep friendships passive. We assume there will be time next week. The takeaway? Dig deeper.

• Ask the extra question.
• Don't settle for "I'm fine."
• Cross the bridge and meet people where they are.
• "Curiosity is a prerequisite to friendship."

Making an Impact Dr. Charlie Cartwright's life was cut short, but his impact was not. He left the room better than he found it. He did his work so well that we are still talking about it, and we are bringing our friends to hear it. As we move forward, let's honor his legacy by applying his wisdom. Plant your seeds. Remove the labels. Live in the present. Rest in Peace, Dr. Charlie.

At 57 years old, I decided to do something I'd spent 30 years in the fitness industry avoiding: I started training to compete in a bodybuilding show. As I've shared this journey, one comment comes up constantly: "I love what you're doing, but I could never do the food part." This single phrase got me thinking. It's the perfect example of a bigger conversation about freedom. When we say "I could never," we are admitting we are enslaved. The opposite of freedom is slavery, and any addiction—to food, habits, or even negative thoughts—is a chain that makes you feel like you have no choice. But I've found that the very thing people fear—the strict discipline—is actually the key to breaking those chains. 🔑 Key Highlights from the Conversation

• Discipline is the Key to Freedom: This journey has proven that discipline isn't about restriction; it's the key that unlocks the chains of your habits. True freedom is having the choice to say "no" to a craving and "yes" to your goal.
• Freedom Requires Structure: We often think of freedom as doing whatever we want, but "freedom without structure is its own form of slavery." You simply meander. Discipline provides the structure you need to actually be free.
• "I Could Never" is a Narrative: I told myself for 30 years that I could never do this. By leaning into the thing I feared, I'm finding a new level of personal freedom. The prize isn't a trophy; it's what this process is making of me.
• Find Your "Truth": Discipline is what happens when your daily actions start to align with your internal "truth." To get there, you have to listen to yourself on a deeper level—what Ray calls "global listening"—using all your senses and intuition, not just reacting to your old biases.
• Start Breaking Your Chains: Every single act of discipline, no matter how small, is like a mace hitting the chains that hold you. It's an act of honoring yourself and proving that you are not betraying your own goals.

We are all bound by something. The question is, do you really want freedom? It sounds good, but it requires you to challenge the habits that have become your identity. My mentor, Dr. Tom Hill, said that if you hear many ideas but implement just one, it can change your life. So, what one act of discipline will you implement this week to start unlocking your own chains?

In today's complex world, we're often taught the skills of management—how to organize tasks, track metrics, and keep things running. But is that enough to truly succeed, lead a team, or build the life you dream of? The hosts of the Personal Mastery Training podcast argue that management falls short. What's truly needed is leadership, and the absolute cornerstone of leadership is belief. In a compelling episode, they explore why unwavering belief—in yourself, your team, and your vision—is the essential ingredient for navigating chaos, inspiring trust, and turning ambitious goals into reality. Key Highlights from the Discussion

• You Were Trained to Manage, But You Need to Lead: Management handles the what and how; leadership inspires the why. True leaders don't just assign tasks; they instill a powerful belief that galvanizes action, especially through tough times.
• Belief: The Glue of High-Performing Teams: A leader's conviction is contagious. When you genuinely believe in the mission, you build the trust and solidarity necessary for a team to overcome obstacles and achieve collective success. Your belief makes them believe.
• Self-Esteem is Your Foundation: While confidence can come and go, deep-seated self-esteem is the unwavering belief in your own worth and capability. Cultivate it by acknowledging your past wins and resilience—it's the fuel for authentic leadership.
• Bring Simplicity to Complexity (I-E-E): Great leaders cut through the noise. They establish a clear Identity(who we are/need to be), provide Evidence through consistent action, and cultivate the right Environment for success.
• Is Your Environment Killing Your Potential?: Like a giant tree needing specific soil and climate, your potential can only flourish in the right environment. If you're not growing, critically examine your surroundings—the people, culture, and resources. Sometimes the problem isn't you; it's the "pot" you're planted in.
• Trust the Process: Stop fixating on the distant outcome. As legendary coach Nick Saban said, "Outcomes are a distraction." Focus intensely on executing the daily process required to get there, and the results will follow.
• Leaders Turn Chaos into Order: Life and business are inherently chaotic. A leader's role is to act like a magnet, using their focused belief and clarity to bring structure, purpose, and direction out of the disorder.

The Takeaway Whether you're leading a company, a family, or just yourself towards a significant goal, the journey starts with belief. It's the internal compass that guides you through uncertainty, the energy source that fuels perseverance, and the signal that tells others you're worth following. Stop just managing, and start leading with conviction.

"Work-life balance." The phrase alone can trigger a wave of guilt. We're constantly told we need to achieve this perfect, mythical equilibrium—a state where our career, family, fitness, and hobbies all get an equal, harmonious slice of our time. But what if this entire concept is a trap? In a thought-provoking episode of the Personal Mastery Training podcast, the hosts argue that the pursuit of a static work-life balance is a myth. Life isn't a perfectly balanced scale; it's a dynamic teeter-totter, always shifting. The real secret to a fulfilling life isn't found in a 50/50 split, but in something far more powerful: being fully present. Key Highlights from the Discussion

• The Myth of Perfect Balance: Life is never perfectly balanced. Sometimes work will demand more; other times, your family will. Chasing an impossible standard only leads to feeling like you're constantly failing. The goal is not a static state but a fluid, intentional dance.
• Presence Over Presents: As the classic song "Cat's in the Cradle" warns, being physically present isn't enough. Your family doesn't need you for eight hours a day if you're distracted and stressed. What they need is one hour of your undivided, intentional, phone-free attention.
• Make the Ordinary Extraordinary: You don't need a grand vacation to create balance. You can find it by turning everyday moments into something special. As host Dr. Charlie shared, a simple act like warming up his son's car on a cold morning becomes an extraordinary expression of love that will be remembered for years.
• Leverage Your Time: Stop thinking about how much time you have and start thinking about how to leverage it. Pack a single hour with so much connection, fun, and intention that it feels like an entire day. One hour of leveraged quality time is worth more than a week of distracted quantity.
• Find Passion, Not Obligation: A huge source of imbalance is job dissatisfaction. If you're one of the 80% of people who are disengaged at work, you'll constantly be trying to "escape" it. The solution is to take personal accountability: either find a way to bring passion and excellence to your current role or have the courage to pursue a career you love.

The Takeaway Stop chasing the ghost of work-life balance. It doesn't exist. Instead, focus on what's real: the present moment. Whether you're in a meeting, at the dinner table, or at the gym, be there completely. The richest life isn't the most balanced one; it's the one that is most fully lived, one present moment at a time.

There's a story about how to catch a monkey. You place its favorite treat in a box with a small hole. The monkey can slide its open hand in, but once it clenches its fist around the treat, it can't pull its hand out. The monkey is trapped—not by the box, but by its own refusal to let go.

In a recent episode of the Personal Mastery Training podcast, hosts Alvin Brown and Dr. Charlie Cartwright use this powerful metaphor to explain the Sunk Cost Fallacy: the psychological trap that keeps us invested in failing relationships, dead-end jobs, and bad decisions long after we should have walked away.

Key Highlights from the Discussion

• The Sunk Cost Fallacy Explained: Whether it's being "pot committed" in a poker game or holding onto a stock as it plummets to zero, the logic is the same: "I've already invested so much, I can't quit now." This irrational thinking traps us into throwing good money (or time, or energy) after bad.

• Why We Stay: The Comfort of Dysfunction: We often cling to negative situations because they are familiar. The human brain is wired to prefer the certainty of a known misery over the scary uncertainty of a new path. We get comfortable in our discomfort.

• You Don't Know What You're Missing: You often cannot see how much a toxic environment is suppressing your potential until you're finally out of it. The very skills being criticized where you are now could be the exact skills that make you thrive somewhere else.

• The Art of Letting Go: The hosts shared the story of Buddhist monks who spend hours creating beautiful sand mandalas only to sweep them away upon completion. This teaches a vital lesson: growth requires non-attachment and the courage to release past efforts to make way for the future.

• How to Escape the Trap:

  1. Take an Honest Inventory: Make a list of the pros and cons of staying versus leaving. Is the familiar pain worth the missed opportunity for growth?

  2. Bet on Yourself: A bird on a branch doesn't trust the branch; it trusts its own wings. Are you willing to bet on your ability to fly?

  3. Weigh the Price vs. the Promise: The promise of freedom and passion comes at a price: uncertainty and turbulence. Decide if the reward is worth the risk.

The Takeaway

Look at your life. Where are you the monkey with its fist stuck in the box? What "treat" from the past are you refusing to let go of, even though it's keeping you trapped? The first step to freedom is recognizing that the cage door is open. All you have to do is unclench your fist and walk away.

Every day, you walk past opportunities for a better life—a game-changing business connection, a piece of life-altering wisdom, or a deep friendship. You don't see them because they are hidden inside other people, and you've already decided who they are. In a profound episode of the Personal Mastery Training podcast, the hosts reveal how we unknowingly kill our own opportunities through a single, destructive habit: labeling. The moment you place a label on someone, you stop being curious. And the moment curiosity dies, so does your opportunity for growth. Key Highlights from the Discussion

• The Labeling Trap: The core idea is simple but transformative: "The labels that we place on other people fracture opportunity." When you judge someone based on their appearance, job, or your past experiences with them, you slam the door on what they could teach you or how they could change your life.
• The Need to Be Right Destroys Curiosity: This is the ultimate communication killer. If you enter a conversation with the goal of being right, you have already lost. You cannot be curious and defensive at the same time. Prioritize understanding over winning, and you will unlock a new level of connection.
• Curiosity Turns Enemies into Friends: The hosts shared a powerful story about Abraham Lincoln, who argued that the best way to destroy an enemy is to make them your friend. How? Through curiosity. Asking questions to understand another's perspective is the fastest way to dissolve conflict and find common ground.
• People Crave to Be Seen: The deepest human need is to be seen, heard, and valued. When you approach someone with genuine curiosity, you give them that gift. In return, they lower their walls, and a real connection becomes possible.
• Stop Seeing a Past Version of People: "Familiarity breeds contempt." Are you still seeing your partner, your child, or your old friend as the person they were five years ago? Be curious about who they are becoming. This is where new layers of your most important relationships are waiting to be discovered.

The Takeaway Your greatest opportunities are hidden in the people you meet every day. The key to unlocking them is to replace judgment with curiosity. In your next conversation, resist the urge to label, to be right, or to wait for your turn to speak. Instead, ask a genuine question, listen with the intent to understand, and watch as a new world of possibilities opens up right in front of you