What happens when the very drive that makes you successful is also the thing destroying you?
George Bryant has lived an extraordinary life.
From a deeply troubled childhood to becoming a US Marine, a New York Times bestselling author, successful entrepreneur, coach and host of The Mind of George podcast, George has achieved more than most people could imagine.
But behind many of those achievements was a very different story.
George describes much of his early success not as achievement, but as survival.
He became comfortable with chaos. He learned to push harder, work longer and overcome whatever was put in front of him. And for years, that mentality worked.
In this deeply personal conversation, George and Paul explore what happens when entrepreneurs tie their identity and self-worth to their results — and why achievement can sometimes become one of the most effective ways of avoiding ourselves.
George shares the extraordinary story of becoming a Marine, graduating as the honour graduate from 1,300 recruits, building successful businesses and becoming a New York Times bestseller — while privately struggling with bulimia, addiction, anxiety and an inability to simply be still.
We talk about the moment he stood in front of 2,000 people and abandoned his prepared keynote to tell the truth about what was really happening in his life.
And how that moment changed everything.
In this episode, we discuss:
Why George believes many of his greatest achievements began as survival mechanismsHow a chaotic childhood made chaos feel normal — and peace uncomfortableThe extraordinary lessons he learned during 13 years in the US Marine CorpsWhy successful entrepreneurs can become addicted to achievementThe danger of tying your self-worth to the performance of your businessWhy reaching the goal rarely gives you the feeling you expectedGeorge's experience becoming a New York Times bestseller — and why being number four wasn't enoughThe difference between ambition driven by lack and ambition driven by gratitudeWhy entrepreneurs often struggle with imposter syndrome as they become more successfulHow work, productivity and achievement can become ways of avoiding yourselfGeorge's battle with bulimia and the truth behind the health book that made him famousThe moment he publicly confessed what was really happening behind his successWhy vulnerability became a turning point in his lifeThe importance of learning to sit with yourself without distractionWhy nobody creates meaningful success aloneHow to pursue huge goals without becoming emotionally attached to the outcomeWhy your future business requires you to become a different personThe importance of focusing on the few behaviours that actually create the resultWhy entrepreneurs need to focus on the equation — not simply the number at the end of itWhat George has learned about fatherhood, presence and what ultimately mattersWhy your greatest struggles may eventually become something you can use to serve othersThe importance of allowing yourself to actually feel your lifeOne of my favourite ideas from this conversation is George's observation that many of us spend our lives avoiding the one person we're guaranteed to spend the rest of our lives with:
As entrepreneurs, it's incredibly easy to disguise that avoidance as ambition.
We work harder. Build another company. Chase another target. Set another goal.
And the world rewards us for it.
But eventually we have to ask a different question:
What is all of this success actually for?
George's story is ultimately a reminder that there is nothing wrong with ambition, growth or building an extraordinary business.
But not at the price of actually living your life.
Connect with George Bryant
Learn more about George, his coaching and The Mind of George podcast at mindofgeorge.com.
Apply for a strategy call with Paul: https://calendly.com/inner-entrepreneur-podcast/discovery-call-with-paul-ryan
I built an eight-figure business that runs without me. I’ll help you do the same.
