What if true financial freedom isn’t about chasing more, but about choosing better? In this episode of Seek Go Create, host Tim Winders sits down with Dr. Nicholas Michels—former pro basketball player, faith-filled leader, and author of "Rich by Choice." From a childhood shaken by sudden loss to building wealth rooted in faith and values, Dr. Michels shares his journey and the power of aligning money with what matters most. Discover how purpose, clarity, and intentional choices can change your life and legacy. If you’re ready to rethink money and leadership, this conversation is for you.

"Align your money with what’s most important—true happiness comes from that." - Dr. Nicholas Michels

Access all show and episode resources HERE

About Our Guest:

Dr. Nicholas Michels is an elite wealth strategist, author of the book Rich by Choice, and a former professional basketball player. From growing up in a trailer park to turning down an $8 million deal to preserve his core values, Dr. Michels brings a unique, purpose-driven perspective to financial leadership. He is a trusted advisor who helps families build wealth with clarity and peace, not pressure. Driven by his deep faith and commitment to integrity, he’s passionate about empowering others to achieve not just financial abundance, but true richness in all areas of life.

Reasons to Listen:

1. Uncover the true meaning of financial freedom—Dr. Nicholas Michels shares why aligning your money with your values leads to happiness, drawing from his own dramatic life story and professional experience.
2. Gain actionable strategies to build wealth with peace, not pressure—Learn practical tips and family-tested exercises to achieve “richness” in both finances and life, including how Dr. Michels and his wife overcame money challenges together.
3. Get a behind-the-scenes look at leading with faith and purpose—Hear how faith, resilience, and intentional choices helped Dr. Michels rise from hardship to success, and why financial clarity is a vital form of leadership everyone should embrace.

Episode Resources & Action Steps:

Resources Mentioned in This Episode

1. Book: "Rich by Choice" by Dr. Nicholas Michels: Dr. Michels’ book focuses on aligning money with personal values, creating wealth with purpose, and finding true happiness through intentional financial choices. (Free gift and additional resources available)
2. Website: RichByChoiceBook.com: The official website for Dr. Michels' book, offering free chapters, compounding resources, and options for further learning and connecting with Dr. Michels.
3. Marriage and Money Devotionals/Books (John Gottman’s resources mentioned): Dr. Michels referenced using marriage devotionals and John Gottman’s books to foster better communication and connection around finances with his spouse.

Action Steps for Listeners

1. Create a Family Vision Statement: Sit down with your partner or family and write out detailed visions for your life—including financial goals, experiences, and the values you want to prioritize. Share and discuss to align on a common vision.
2. Intentionally Schedule Financial Check-ins: Set regular times to communicate about money with open-ended, honest questions. Use resources or devotionals (such as those by John Gottman) to guide your conversations and strengthen the partnership.
3. Download and Apply the Compounding Resource: Visit richbychoicebook.com, claim the free chapter on compounding, and start implementing those principles not just with your money but in other areas of your life (marriage, faith, business, health, etc.).

Key Lessons:

1. True Wealth Is More Than Money: Dr. Michels emphasizes that while financial success is important, being truly “rich” involves faith, strong relationships, meaningful experiences, and protecting your loved ones—financial peace matters more than just aiming for more possessions.
2. Align Your Finances with What Matters Most: Rather than simply chasing more, Dr. Michels encourages listeners to intentionally use money as a tool to support what you value most: your family, your purpose, and your future security.
3. You Always Have a Choice—Design Your Life on Purpose: The concept at the heart of the episode (and his book “Rich by Choice”) is that we can proactively shape our lives and our financial futures through the choices we make, instead of drifting through life by default.
4. Faith and Community as Anchors During Challenges: Dr. Michels’ personal story shows how his family’s faith and involvement in their church community provided resilience and perspective during tough times—illustrating the power of spiritual grounding for both life and finances.
5. Intentional Communication Creates Stronger Relationships: Whether it’s marriage, parenting, or working with clients, open and honest conversations—especially about hard topics like money—are essential. Vision statements, regular check-ins, and shared goals lead to greater unity and success.

Episode Highlights:

00:00 Introduction to Financial Freedom

00:30 Meet Dr. Nicholas E. Michaels

02:14 Nick's Childhood and Family Struggles

03:02 The Impact of Divorce on Nick's Life

04:25 Nick's Journey to Financial Clarity

08:31 The Role of Faith in Nick's Life

13:05 Nick's College Years and Basketball Career

16:55 Finding Purpose Beyond Money

24:42 The Importance of Choosing the Right Spouse

29:05 Challenges of Faith and Money

30:27 Balancing Marriage and Financial Goals

31:10 The Importance of Communication in Marriage

31:54 Marriage Devotionals and Counseling

34:55 Family Foundation and Giving Back

37:39 The Illusion of Control and Faith

41:01 Rich by Choice: The Book's Purpose

45:33 Common Financial Mistakes and Success Stories

48:39 Proven Principles for Financial Success

53:01 Final Thoughts and Resources

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.

If you enjoyed this episode and found it helpful, we encourage you to subscribe to or follow Seek Go Create on your favorite podcast platform, including Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. By subscribing, you'll never miss an episode and can stay up-to-date on the latest insights and strategies for success.

Additionally, please share this episode or what you’ve learned today with your friends, family, and colleagues on your favorite social media platform. By sharing our podcast, you can help us reach more people who are looking to align their faith with their work and lead with purpose.

For more updates and episodes, visit our website or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, TikTok and YouTube. We appreciate your support and look forward to helping you achieve your goals and create a life of purpose and fulfillment.

Now, you can tip us, buy us a coffee, or offer financial support. Contributions start at just $1, and if you leave a comment, you could be featured in a future episode!

Visit our Support page for more details.

Mentioned in this episode:

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

Redefine Success with Coach – A Novel That Transforms

Feeling the pressure to chase more, yet still wondering, “Is this it?” You're not alone—and you're not without hope. In this brief pause, Tim Winders introduces Coach: A Story of Success Redefined, a transformational novel that challenges the world’s definition of success and offers something deeper. Ready for a wake-up call that inspires faith, purpose, and lasting change? Grab your copy now at TimWinders.com and start the journey today.

Get More Info About Coach