Have you ever hit a big milestone and still felt… off?

You closed the deal. You reached the revenue goal. You hit the number you’ve been chasing. On paper, everything looks solid. But internally? Something feels slightly empty.

In this episode of the Happy Hustle Podcast, I dive into three of the ten alignments from our S.O.U.L.M.A.P.P.I.N system — the framework I use to systematically harmonize ambition and well-being.

Those three are:

Loving Relationships

These are just 3 out of the 10 alignments, but they are powerful ones. When even one of these is out of whack, you can feel it. When all three are aligned, life hits different.

Let’s start with loving relationships.

You can build an incredible business, but if your marriage is strained, your kids feel distant, or your friendships are surface-level, it will eventually catch up with you. Relationships are not a bonus category. They are foundational.

I share the L.O.V.E.R. framework to help navigate adversity in relationships:

Listen.

Most people skip listening and jump straight to defending. But communication isn’t just about words. It’s tone. Body language. Energy. Presence.

If you want a ten in your relationship, you’ve got to be a ten.

Then we move into mindful spirituality. This isn’t about religion or rigid rules. It’s about connection to something bigger than your to-do list, your ego, or your quarterly targets.

When you feel spiritually disconnected, everything feels heavier. You operate from stress, urgency, and control. But when you intentionally create stillness, you regain perspective.

I use the reminder C.I.T.S. — Chill In The Still. Sit down. Get quiet. Reflect. Pray. Meditate. Breathe.

Even a few intentional minutes of stillness per day can shift your nervous system and your clarity. Stillness builds inner strength. Gratitude. Confidence.

When you are spiritually grounded, you don’t chase, you align.

Now let’s talk about abundance financially. Abundance isn’t just about making more money. It’s about how you make it and who you become in the process.

Over the years, I’ve used a simple framework called R.O.A.D.M.A.P. to generate millions in revenue, often in 45-minute Zoom calls. Not because I’m special, but because the system is aligned.

R.O.A.D.M.A.P. stands for:

First, build rapport. Real connection. Trust.Then understand the obstacle. What problem are they trying to solve? Next, aspiration. What outcome do they truly want? Then demonstrate. Show proof. Testimonials. Real results. Match is critical. It has to be a fit both ways. I’ve worked with misaligned clients before and the money is never worth the stress. Then ask clearly. And finally, pull, not push. Ethical urgency. Honest scarcity. Invitation instead of pressure.

Money should not cost you your peace. It should amplify your impact. It should allow you to provide, give, invest, and grow without sacrificing your integrity. Money magnifies who you already are.

If you’re grounded in strong relationships and spiritual alignment, money expands that. If you’re disconnected, it amplifies that too.

At the end of the day, fulfillment isn’t built in one big achievement. It’s built in daily alignment.

How you love your people.

These three alignments are just part of the ten. But if you dial them in, everything else starts to rise with them.

Pause. Reflect. Realign.

That’s how you systematically harmonize ambition and well-being.

That’s how you truly put the HAPPY in your HUSTLE.

Connect with Cary!

Get a copy of his new book, The Happy Hustle, 10 Alignments to Avoid Burnout & Achieve Blissful Balance

Episode Sponsors:

This ain’t your average magnesium—it’s got all 7 essential forms that your body needs to chill out, sleep deeper, and feel more balanced. I take it every night and legit notice the difference the next day. No more waking up groggy or tossing and turning all night

If you're ready to sleep like a baby, calm your nervous system, and optimize your recovery, go grab yours now at bioptimizers.com/happy and use code HAPPY10 for 10% OFF.

Ever have one of those moments where everything looks great on the outside, but you suddenly realize you have not thought much about protecting the life you are working so hard to build? You are chasing big dreams, scaling the business, taking care of your family, and then it hits you. What about safety? What about awareness? What about being proactive instead of scrambling when something goes wrong?

In this episode of the Happy Hustle Podcast, I chat with Michael Julian, a third-generation private investigator and the CEO of National Business Investigations. Michael began his journey into investigations and security at just 16 years old, working alongside his father. He later earned honors in Administration of Justice, became licensed across multiple states in executive protection, founded MPS Security and Protection, and created the ALIVE method, an active shooter survival training program. He is also a best-selling author, a father, and a true Happy Hustler who has spent decades seeing both the best and worst of human behavior.

What makes this episode especially powerful is how relevant it is for entrepreneurs, leaders, and high performers. Michael shares why so many successful people make the mistake of treating personal and business security as an afterthought. This conversation matters because prevention is always easier than damage control, and awareness can literally save lives, reputations, and legacies.

One of the biggest takeaways is the importance of being proactive instead of reactive. Michael explains that most people only think about security after something has already gone wrong. Whether it is personal safety, workplace violence, or online fraud, waiting until there is a crisis often means it is already too late. Building awareness early creates freedom, not fear.

Another key lesson is the difference between a security mindset and a survival mindset. Security mindset is about preparation, awareness, and prevention. Survival mindset kicks in when a threat becomes real and immediate. Learning both allows you to stay calm, act intentionally, and protect yourself and others without panic.

Michael also dives deep into situational awareness. Not paranoia. Not judgment. Awareness of behavior. Paying attention to what feels off can help you avoid dangerous situations before they escalate. This applies not only in public spaces but also in business partnerships, online interactions, and leadership decisions.

The episode also highlights how common sense and verification are essential in the digital age. With scams, impersonations, and AI-generated fraud becoming more sophisticated, slowing down, double-checking information, and using available tools can prevent massive financial and emotional losses.

Finally, there is a powerful reflection on growth, maturity, and fulfillment. Michael shares openly about evolving as a leader, working with family, letting go of old conditioning around overworking, and learning to enjoy the fruits of decades of hard work. It is a reminder that success without presence and balance is not the goal. Happy Hustlin' is.

If you are building something meaningful and want to protect it while still living fully, this is an episode you do not want to miss. Go listen to the full conversation and soak in all the wisdom, stories, and practical insights.

What does Happy Hustlin mean to you?

Connect with Michael

Find Michael on his website: A.L.I.V.E. Active Shooter Survival Training

Connect with Cary!

Get a copy of his new book, The Happy Hustle, 10 Alignments to Avoid Burnout & Achieve Blissful Balance

Episode Sponsors:

This ain’t your average magnesium—it’s got all 7 essential forms that your body needs to chill out, sleep deeper, and feel more balanced. I take it every night and legit notice the difference the next day. No more waking up groggy or tossing and turning all night

If you're ready to sleep like a baby, calm your nervous system, and optimize your recovery, go grab yours now at bioptimizers.com/happy and use code HAPPY10 for 10% OFF.

Have you ever stopped to ask yourself if your hustle is truly aligned with the life you want to live? Maybe you’re grinding, hitting your goals, but still feeling off balance or a little drained. That’s exactly what we dig into on this episode of The Happy Hustle Podcast. I talk about energy, alignment, and selfless service—practical ways to optimize your life while giving back meaningfully to others.

In this episode, I break down my E.N.E.R.G.Y. framework, the pillars I use to stay at my best physically and mentally: Exercise, Nutrition, Environment, Rest, Gallon, and Youth. I discuss how cleaning up your surroundings, prioritizing sleep, hydrating properly, and applying anti-aging protocols can transform your energy and productivity. But it’s not just about you—selfless service matters too. I challenge listeners to honestly evaluate how they’ve been giving back, whether it’s time, money, or skills, and to embrace giving that’s truly generous and intentional.

Some key takeaways from this episode include giving yourself a real check-in on self-service and digital habits, reclaiming your time from endless scrolling, implementing sacred screen-free windows in your day, and considering a full 24-hour digital detox once in a while to reset your nervous system. We also dive into practical hacks for feeling more present, energized, and aligned with your purpose. This episode matters because it’s not just about hustling—it’s about happy hustling, where your energy, your contribution, and your joy all work together.

Connect with Cary!

Get a copy of his new book, The Happy Hustle, 10 Alignments to Avoid Burnout & Achieve Blissful Balance

Episode Sponsors:

This ain’t your average magnesium—it’s got all 7 essential forms that your body needs to chill out, sleep deeper, and feel more balanced. I take it every night and legit notice the difference the next day. No more waking up groggy or tossing and turning all night

If you're ready to sleep like a baby, calm your nervous system, and optimize your recovery, go grab yours now at bioptimizers.com/happy and use code HAPPY10 for 10% OFF.

Ever catch yourself thinking, “I’m doing all the right things… so why do I still feel tired, foggy, or just off?” You’re working out, trying to eat better, squeezing in sleep where you can, and yet your energy and longevity still feel like a question mark. If that sounds familiar, this episode of The Happy Hustle Podcast is going to land right where you need it.

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Joy Kong, a UCLA-trained, triple board-certified anti-aging physician, stem cell specialist, educator, and CEO. Dr. Joy is the founder of Chara Health and Chara Biologics, and she’s deeply committed to advancing regenerative medicine in a way that is ethical, effective, and accessible. She also founded the American Academy of Integrative Cell Therapy, where she trains physicians around the world in stem cell therapies and cutting-edge regenerative practices.

This conversation dives headfirst into stem cells, longevity, and what it actually means to optimize your health for the long game. Dr. Joy breaks down complex science in a way that feels grounded and practical. We explore how diet, exercise, sleep, and regenerative therapies can work together not just to help you live longer, but to live better. This episode matters because longevity isn’t about chasing perfection or biohacking extremes. It’s about understanding your body, making informed choices, and stacking small, intentional habits that compound over time.

Here are a few powerful takeaways you’ll walk away with.

First, stem cells are not science fiction anymore. Dr. Joy explains what stem cell therapy actually is, how it works, and why it’s becoming one of the most promising tools in regenerative medicine today. She also clears up common misconceptions and emphasizes the importance of quality, sourcing, and proper medical oversight.

Second, longevity starts with the basics before the breakthroughs. While regenerative therapies are exciting, Dr. Joy reinforces that diet, movement, and sleep are still foundational. Stem cells and advanced treatments work best when your lifestyle is already supporting your body’s natural healing processes.

Third, education is the real power play in health. One of the most inspiring parts of Dr. Joy’s journey is her commitment to teaching both patients and physicians. When you understand your options, you’re no longer guessing or blindly outsourcing your health. You’re making confident, informed decisions.

Fourth, anti-aging is really about regeneration, not vanity. This episode reframes anti-aging as restoring function, reducing inflammation, and improving quality of life. It’s not about looking younger. It’s about feeling strong, clear, and capable for decades to come.

Finally, serving others is the ultimate form of optimization. Dr. Joy’s mission goes beyond medicine. Her work is rooted in service, integrity, and raising the standard of care across the industry. That alignment between purpose and profession is what truly defines a happy hustler.

If you’re curious about stem cells, longevity, or how to future-proof your health in a grounded, responsible way, this episode is absolutely worth your time.

Do yourself a favor and listen to the full conversation. And if it resonates, share it with someone ready to take ownership of their health and hustle with intention.

What does Happy Hustlin mean to you?
Dr. Joy says if it's not fun, why are we doing this? So what's the whole point? You're spending eight hours a day at this place. I want you to have fun. So that's the happy hustling, but how to keep that state.

Connect with Dr. Joy
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Find Dr. Joy on her website: https://joykongmd.com/

Connect with Cary!
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Get a copy of his new book, The Happy Hustle, 10 Alignments to Avoid Burnout & Achieve Blissful Balance
Sign up for The Journey: 10 Days To Become a Happy Hustler Online Course
Apply to the Montana Mastermind Epic Camping Adventure
“It’s time to Happy Hustle, a blissfully balanced life you love, full of passion, purpose, and positive impact!”

Episode Sponsors:
If you’re feeling stressed, not sleeping great, or your energy’s been kinda meh lately—let me put you on to something that’s been a total game-changer for me: Magnesium Breakthrough by BiOptimizers.

This ain’t your average magnesium—it’s got all 7 essential forms that your body needs to chill out, sleep deeper, and feel more balanced. I take it every night and legit notice the difference the next day. No more waking up groggy or tossing and turning all night

If you're ready to sleep like a baby, calm your nervous system, and optimize your recovery, go grab yours now at bioptimizers.com/happy and use code HAPPY10 for 10% OFF.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re building something big but still wondering how to stay aligned, avoid burnout, and actually enjoy the journey… this episode is for you.

In this solo episode of The Happy Hustle Podcast, I’m pulling back the curtain and walking you through the real resources, tools, and experiences that can help you systematically harmonize ambition and wellbeing. From the Happy Hustle Book 2.0 and the Blissful Balancer to masterminds, community, and the deeper philosophy behind Happy Hustlin', this episode is all about giving you practical ways to create a life and business you actually love living.

This conversation matters because too many entrepreneurs are chasing success without a system for sustainability. I’ve lived both sides burnout and balance and everything I share here comes from real lessons learned through building businesses, hosting over 700 podcast episodes, and creating a global community of heart-centered entrepreneurs who want more than just money… they want fulfillment, connection, and purpose-driven growth.

One of the biggest takeaways is that alignment doesn’t happen by accident it happens through intentional tools and daily practices. The Happy Hustle Book and workbook aren’t just theory; they’re designed to help you identify where you’re out of sync and take simple action steps that move you back into balance.

Another lesson is that simplicity wins. The Blissful Balancer might look basic, but tracking small actions daily creates massive momentum over time. Success isn’t always about complex systems sometimes it’s about consistent, visible reminders of who you want to become.

We also talk about the power of community. Whether it’s the Happy Hustle Club, masterminds in Montana and Alaska, or couples retreats, the magic happens when you get around people who challenge you, support you, and hold you accountable. Real growth often happens offline, in safe containers where you can take the armor off and just be real.

And finally, I share why content and consistency matter. The Happy Hustle Podcast has stayed in the top 1% globally not because of vanity metrics, but because of the mission — helping people put the happy in their hustle through real conversations, practical strategies, and aligned living.

If you’re ready to stop chasing balance and start building it intentionally, this episode will give you a roadmap to begin.

Connect with Cary!
Instagram
Facebook
Linkedin
Twitter
Youtube

Get a copy of his new book, The Happy Hustle, 10 Alignments to Avoid Burnout & Achieve Blissful Balance
Sign up for The Journey: 10 Days To Become a Happy Hustler Online Course
Apply to the Montana Mastermind Epic Camping Adventure
“It’s time to Happy Hustle, a blissfully balanced life you love, full of passion, purpose, and positive impact!”

Episode Sponsors:
If you’re feeling stressed, not sleeping great, or your energy’s been kinda meh lately—let me put you on to something that’s been a total game-changer for me: Magnesium Breakthrough by BiOptimizers.

This ain’t your average magnesium—it’s got all 7 essential forms that your body needs to chill out, sleep deeper, and feel more balanced. I take it every night and legit notice the difference the next day. No more waking up groggy or tossing and turning all night

If you're ready to sleep like a baby, calm your nervous system, and optimize your recovery, go grab yours now at bioptimizers.com/happy and use code HAPPY10 for 10% OFF.

What if the reason you feel stuck, triggered, or disconnected isn’t your workload—but unhealed emotional patterns running in the background?

In this episode of The Happy Hustle Podcast, Cary Jack sits down with Tania Khazaal, transformational coach, emotional healing expert, and founder of Holistic Empowerment, for a powerful conversation on emotional healing, family dynamics, and why unresolved wounds quietly shape how we show up in life, relationships, and business.

Tania has helped thousands heal emotional estrangement, repair broken family connections, and break free from subconscious patterns rooted in childhood. Recently featured on Oprah, she blends lived experience with practical frameworks that move beyond surface-level therapy into real repair and transformation.

Together, Cary and Tania explore how cutoff culture, suppressed emotions, and unresolved resentment can drain your energy, impact your leadership, and block fulfillment even when everything looks “successful” on the outside.

In this episode, you’ll learn:
• Why emotional healing is a process, not a destination
• The 3-step framework to heal old wounds and rewrite your story
• How cutoff culture often creates more pain, not peace
• Why suppressed expression shows up as burnout, reactivity, or illness
• How healing your relationships creates more clarity, presence, and impact

This episode is for entrepreneurs, parents, and high performers who want deeper connection, emotional resilience, and alignment without sacrificing ambition.

🎧 Listen to the full episode now at caryjack.com/podcastin

Connect with Tania
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Find Tania on her website: https://taniakhazaal.com/

Connect with Cary!
Instagram
Facebook
Linkedin
Twitter
Youtube

Get a copy of his new book, The Happy Hustle, 10 Alignments to Avoid Burnout & Achieve Blissful Balance
Sign up for The Journey: 10 Days To Become a Happy Hustler Online Course
Apply to the Montana Mastermind Epic Camping Adventure
“It’s time to Happy Hustle, a blissfully balanced life you love, full of passion, purpose, and positive impact!”

Episode Sponsors:
If you’re feeling stressed, not sleeping great, or your energy’s been kinda meh lately—let me put you on to something that’s been a total game-changer for me: Magnesium Breakthrough by BiOptimizers.

This ain’t your average magnesium—it’s got all 7 essential forms that your body needs to chill out, sleep deeper, and feel more balanced. I take it every night and legit notice the difference the next day. No more waking up groggy or tossing and turning all night

If you're ready to sleep like a baby, calm your nervous system, and optimize your recovery, go grab yours now at bioptimizers.com/happy and use code HAPPY10 for 10% OFF.

Welcome to the audiobook edition of The Happy Hustle Book 2.0 — a practical guide for high-performing entrepreneurs who want success without sacrificing their health, relationships, or happiness.

This updated 2.0 version goes deeper into what it really means to build a life and business that feels aligned, intentional, and sustainable. Inside, you’ll learn how to:

• Redefine success beyond money and hustle
• Create systems that support both ambition and wellbeing
• Avoid burnout while still playing at a high level
• Build a life that feels good now, not “someday”

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, creator, or driven professional, this audiobook is designed to meet you where you are—and help you build a life that truly works for you.

Listen in, reflect, and start applying the Happy Hustle principles one chapter at a time.

P.S. The voice in this audiobook is AI-generated for accessibility and production efficiency, while the words, ideas, and frameworks are 100% from Cary Jack.

Ever feel like you’re doing all the “right” things in your business, posting consistently, running ads, chasing leads yet growth still feels heavier than it should? I’ve been there. For a long time, I thought the secret to scaling was always out there… more eyeballs, more followers, more people in the funnel. But what actually changed everything for me wasn’t before the sale. It was what happened after.

In this solo episode of The Happy Hustle Podcast, I break down what I call the 4R Growth Flywheel, a simple but powerful framework that’s helped us increase our average customer lifetime value to over $15,000 per client (and for some, $25K–$50K+). This episode isn’t about hype or hacks. It’s about service, alignment, and building a business that actually supports your life instead of draining it. No guest this time just me sharing what’s working right now inside our masterminds, communities, and offers, and why this approach matters more than ever in a noisy online world.

Here’s the big shift: most entrepreneurs obsess over getting the next client, but real, aligned growth comes from how you take care of the people who already said yes. The 4R Growth Flywheel focuses on retention, referrals, reviews, and resells, four levers that compound over time and turn your business into a trust-based ecosystem instead of a leaky bucket.

A few key takeaways from this episode:

• Retention starts in the first 30 days. Clients don’t leave because your product is bad—they leave because the onboarding experience is forgettable. Momentum, clarity, and connection early on can determine the entire lifetime value of a customer.

• Referrals aren’t something you ask for, they’re something you engineer. People refer when they feel proud of their progress, emotionally connected to your brand, and clear on how to explain what you do. The best time to trigger referrals is right after a win.

• Reviews are compressed trust. Future clients don’t believe your sales page because you wrote it—they believe your clients. Consistently capturing real transformation stories can turn your marketing into a 24/7 sales team.

• Reselling isn’t pushy—it’s service. Ascension means guiding people to the next level of support they already need. When done with integrity, it deepens trust and alignment instead of creating pressure.

• The flywheel compounds. Retention builds trust. Trust fuels referrals. Referrals and reviews accelerate resells. And resells deepen retention. That’s how you scale without burning out.

At the end of the day, this episode is a reminder that Happy Hustlin' isn’t about doing more, it’s about doing better. It’s about building relationships, not just revenue, and creating offers that truly support the humans behind the credit cards.

If you’re an entrepreneur who wants to make more money, increase customer lifetime value, and grow a business that actually feels good to run, this episode is for you.

Connect with Cary!
Instagram
Facebook
Linkedin
Twitter
Youtube

Get a copy of his new book, The Happy Hustle, 10 Alignments to Avoid Burnout & Achieve Blissful Balance
Sign up for The Journey: 10 Days To Become a Happy Hustler Online Course
Apply to the Montana Mastermind Epic Camping Adventure
“It’s time to Happy Hustle, a blissfully balanced life you love, full of passion, purpose, and positive impact!”

Episode Sponsors:
If you’re feeling stressed, not sleeping great, or your energy’s been kinda meh lately—let me put you on to something that’s been a total game-changer for me: Magnesium Breakthrough by BiOptimizers.

This ain’t your average magnesium—it’s got all 7 essential forms that your body needs to chill out, sleep deeper, and feel more balanced. I take it every night and legit notice the difference the next day. No more waking up groggy or tossing and turning all night

If you're ready to sleep like a baby, calm your nervous system, and optimize your recovery, go grab yours now at bioptimizers.com/happy and use code HAPPY10 for 10% OFF.

What if the real reason your relationship feels off has nothing to do with love and everything to do with how you handle conflict?

In this episode of The Happy Hustle Podcast, I sat down with my brother Jayson Gaddis for one of the realest conversations I’ve had about relationships, conflict, masculinity, and what it actually takes to build a thriving partnership while still chasing big dreams. Jayson is the founder of The Relationship School, a Wall Street Journal bestselling author of Getting to Zero, a husband, a father, and a former licensed psychotherapist who has spent decades in the trenches helping couples repair connection and communicate better. Over 100,000 people have gone through his programs, and it’s easy to see why this dude doesn’t sugarcoat the truth, but he delivers it with heart, humility, and wisdom.

This episode matters because a lot of high-performing entrepreneurs are unknowingly burning down their most important relationship while trying to build everything else. We’re great at hiring coaches for business, fitness, and money, but when it comes to marriage or partnership, we assume we should “just know.” Jayson breaks that myth wide open and shows why conflict isn’t the problem… avoiding it is.

One of the biggest takeaways for me was how ego and defensiveness quietly sabotage connection. Jayson explains how many men react from shame without realizing it, and how that defensiveness blocks intimacy and trust. Another powerful lesson was reframing conflict as a skill, not a sign you’re with the wrong person. Conflict is inevitable. Learning how to repair is what separates relationships that grow stronger from those that slowly erode.

We also dive deep into one of the most practical tools I’ve ever learned for communication: LUFU—Listen Until the other person Feels Understood. Sounds simple, but it’s a total game-changer. Jayson walks through how to actually do it in real life, not theory, and why leading with understanding, not apologies, calms the nervous system and creates safety. That alone can transform how arguments end… and how connected you feel afterward.

Another huge insight was understanding attachment styles, why one partner often wants space while the other wants to talk, and how those childhood patterns show up under stress. When you can recognize the dynamic underneath the argument, everything shifts. You stop fighting the person and start addressing the pattern.

Finally, Jayson brings it home with a reminder we all need: great relationships aren’t built when things feel easy; they’re built through consistent repair, honest conversations, and a willingness to grow. Just like the gym, you don’t work on your relationship only when it’s broken. You train it for the long game.

If you want to build a business you’re proud of and a relationship that actually fuels your life instead of draining it, this episode is a must-listen.

What does Happy Hustlin mean to you?
Jayson says it means I'm working hard, it's not coming at the expense of my marriage or my kids or my own health and well-being. I'm able to be fulfilled working hard.

Connect with Jayson
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Find Jayson on his website: https://www.jaysongaddis.com/

Connect with Cary!
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Facebook
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Twitter
Youtube

Get a copy of his new book, The Happy Hustle, 10 Alignments to Avoid Burnout & Achieve Blissful Balance
Sign up for The Journey: 10 Days To Become a Happy Hustler Online Course
Apply to the Montana Mastermind Epic Camping Adventure
“It’s time to Happy Hustle, a blissfully balanced life you love, full of passion, purpose, and positive impact!”

Episode Sponsors:
If you’re feeling stressed, not sleeping great, or your energy’s been kinda meh lately—let me put you on to something that’s been a total game-changer for me: Magnesium Breakthrough by BiOptimizers.

This ain’t your average magnesium—it’s got all 7 essential forms that your body needs to chill out, sleep deeper, and feel more balanced. I take it every night and legit notice the difference the next day. No more waking up groggy or tossing and turning all night

If you're ready to sleep like a baby, calm your nervous system, and optimize your recovery, go grab yours now at bioptimizers.com/happy and use code HAPPY10 for 10% OFF.

Ever feel like you’re doing everything right on the outside… but something internally feels a little off? Like you’re winning on paper, yet fulfillment is somehow slipping through the cracks?

In this episode of The Happy Hustle Podcast, I’m bringing you a powerful solo conversation sparked by my good friend Ben Wilson, a real estate mogul from Nashville who recently dropped five simple yet game-changing questions in the Happy Hustle Club. And let me tell you… these questions aren’t just thought exercises. They are trajectory changers if you actually take the time to sit with them.

As high performers, we are masters of optimization. We chase growth, scale businesses, increase impact, and push toward bigger visions. But if we’re being honest? Many of us are terrible at reflection. And research shows that internal reflection directly improves performance, emotional regulation, and long-term fulfillment. So if you want to build a blissfully balanced life you love, not just a successful one, this episode matters.

Today, I’m walking you through what I call the “Five H Questions,” designed to help you reset your perspective, realign with what truly matters, and reconnect with the version of yourself you’re meant to become. These aren’t fluffy mindset prompts; they are strategic tools for leaders who want success without burnout.

One of the biggest takeaways is the power of identifying your hero right now. Who you admire reveals your values in motion, not what you say you care about, but what you’re subconsciously modeling. When you get clear on the traits your hero embodies, you can intentionally adopt the qualities that elevate your life while avoiding the patterns that lead to exhaustion.

Another major insight is learning to recognize your highlights through the lens of gratitude. Gratitude isn’t soft, it’s strategic. Science links consistent gratitude practices to higher dopamine and serotonin levels, meaning greater motivation, resilience, and clarity. When you identify the moments that truly lit you up, you start to see where your life was most aligned, not just where you were most productive.

We also dive into something many leaders overlook: laughter. Believe it or not, laughter is a leadership skill. It reduces cortisol, boosts creativity, and strengthens emotional resilience. If nothing feels funny in your life right now, that’s valuable feedback; it may be time to loosen your grip and reintroduce joy into your daily rhythm.

Of course, we don’t shy away from the hard stuff either. Naming your biggest hardship is one of the fastest ways to activate the problem-solving centers of your brain instead of staying stuck in avoidance. Avoided pain doesn’t disappear, it compounds. But when you face it with awareness, hardship transforms from a detour into a training ground.

And finally, we talk about hope, not as wishful thinking, but as a performance multiplier. Hopeful individuals are more resilient, more consistent, and more goal-directed because they believe in a meaningful future. The key is anchoring your hope not just to outcomes, but to identity. Ask yourself: Who do I need to become to make this future inevitable?

At the end of the day, these five questions are meant to be revisited, reflected on, and shared with the people who support your growth. Because success isn’t just about moving faster, it’s about moving in the right direction with intention, clarity, and heart.

If you’re ready to shift your trajectory, reconnect with what matters, and truly put the happy in your hustle, this episode is for you.

Connect with Cary!
Instagram
Facebook
Linkedin
Twitter
Youtube

Get a copy of his new book, The Happy Hustle, 10 Alignments to Avoid Burnout & Achieve Blissful Balance
Sign up for The Journey: 10 Days To Become a Happy Hustler Online Course
Apply to the Montana Mastermind Epic Camping Adventure
“It’s time to Happy Hustle, a blissfully balanced life you love, full of passion, purpose, and positive impact!”

Episode Sponsors:
If you’re feeling stressed, not sleeping great, or your energy’s been kinda meh lately—let me put you on to something that’s been a total game-changer for me: Magnesium Breakthrough by BiOptimizers.

This ain’t your average magnesium—it’s got all 7 essential forms that your body needs to chill out, sleep deeper, and feel more balanced. I take it every night and legit notice the difference the next day. No more waking up groggy or tossing and turning all night

If you're ready to sleep like a baby, calm your nervous system, and optimize your recovery, go grab yours now at bioptimizers.com/happy and use code HAPPY10 for 10% OFF.