In this episode of Next Level University, Kevin and Alan unpack a truth many people miss about success. It often works like a paradox. The same principles that drive real growth can sound contradictory at first. You must fail to succeed, work hard before you can work smart, and care about results without tying your identity to them.

Drawing from years of coaching, thousands of podcast episodes, and their own experiences building businesses and reaching major goals, Kevin and Alan explain why progress rarely feels the way people expect. The people who grow the most are the ones who learn to hold two opposing truths at the same time. If success has ever felt confusing, this episode may shift how you think about growth.

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Join Next Level Live: Level up your life in 2026. Completely virtual, completely transformative (Saturday, April 11, 2026) - https://www.nextleveluniverse.com/next-level-live/

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NLU is not just a podcast; it’s a gateway to a wealth of resources designed to help you achieve your goals and dreams. From our Next Level Dreamliner to our Group Coaching, we offer a variety of tools and communities to support your personal development journey.

For more information, check out our website and socials using the links below. 👇

Website: http://www.nextleveluniverse.com

Instagram:
Kevin: https://www.instagram.com/neverquitkid/
Alan: https://www.instagram.com/alazaros88/

Facebook:
Alan: https://www.facebook.com/alan.lazaros
Kevin: https://www.facebook.com/kevin.palmieri.90/

Email:
[email protected]
[email protected]

LinkedIn:
Kevin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-palmieri-5b7736160/
Alan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanlazarosllc/

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Show notes:
(3:03) Why failure is required for real growth
(6:35) The truth about “don’t sweat the small stuff”
(9:25) Why achieving goals often feels underwhelming
(12:24) Why success can still feel like failure
(17:23) Why you must zoom out to see progress
(21:05) Competing to win vs competing to become
(26:30) Life doesn’t get easier you handle hard better
(31:00) The power of “and” instead of “but”
(34:32) Outro

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🎙️ Hosted by Kevin Palmieri and Alan Lazaros

Next Level University is a top-ranked daily podcast for dream chasers and self-improvement lovers. With over 2,100 episodes, we help you level up in life, love, health, and wealth one day at a time. Subscribe for real, honest, no-fluff growth every single day.