Your progress mirrors the expectations around you. In today’s episode, Kevin and Alan break down how the people, environments, and standards you accept quietly shape your discipline, confidence, and long-term trajectory. This conversation cuts through surface-level self-improvement and reveals why many driven people plateau despite consistent effort.

You will hear how subtle influences affect identity, decision-making, and performance, and why real growth requires more than motivation. It demands precision, awareness, and intentional positioning. If you care about personal development, leadership, fitness, business, and mental resilience, this episode will challenge how you evaluate your circle, your habits, and your standards.

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Learn more about:
Track the Work. Earn the Results. 10 Pounds in 10 Weeks Challenge. To know more about the Next Level Fitness Accountability Group or get directly connected via Instagram:

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

Join our Next Level University Monthly Masterclass, "Setting Your Life up for the Most Productive Year You’ve Ever Had." One hour. Real principles. Lasting breakthroughs - https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/nOyQhYF9TOaUdO1ezDdfdA#/registration

Join our private Facebook community, “Next Level Nation,” to grow alongside people who are committed to improvement. - https://www.facebook.com/groups/459320958216700

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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

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:
(2:03) Relationship buckets and identity calibration
(5:19) Trajectory versus position in long-term performance
(8:29) Reference groups and motivation styles
(11:43) Why experience does not equal wisdom
(18:41) Environment, pressure, and elite standards
(25:01) Success, comfort, and diminishing necessity
(29:10) Growth-first Vs. Relationship-first identities
(37:23) Outro

Send a text to Kevin and Alan!

🎙️ 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.