What if the biggest change in your life doesn’t require a perfect plan?

What if it starts with just one decision?

In this episode of The Pursuit of Progress, Adam and Ben explore the idea that one choice can become the first domino that changes everything that follows.

A new job. A move. Starting a business. Buying your first home. Getting serious about your health. Making the phone call you’ve been putting off. Walking away from something that isn’t working anymore.

The problem is, we often wait because we think we need to have the entire path figured out before taking the first step.

But you don’t need the whole map.

You just need to make the next decision.

In this episode, we talk about:

• How one small decision can create a domino effect
• Why you don’t need to know the next 20 steps
• The hidden cost of avoiding a decision
• How decisions can change the way you see yourself
• The difference between strategically waiting and simply being afraid to act
• One question that might reveal exactly where you’re stuck

And we’ll leave you with a challenge:

What’s one decision you’ve been putting off that could change the direction of your life?

You don’t have to change everything today.

Just find your first domino — and knock it over.

🎙️ The Pursuit of Progress — Season 3, Episode 31

What happens when you've built a life that looks successful on the outside…but something still doesn't feel right on the inside?

In Season 3, Episode 30 of The Pursuit of Progress, Adam sits down with longtime friend Chris Palasz, founder of Peak State, for a conversation about success, identity, relationships, purpose, and learning how to become the author of your own life.

Adam and Chris first met years ago while they were both living in Aspen, Colorado. Since then, Chris has built a coaching practice focused on helping high-performing professionals around the world, who have achieved many of the things they thought they wanted—but still feel like something is missing.

Chris believes the answer isn't another productivity hack, a bigger goal, or simply working harder. It's developing what he calls “internal authority”—learning to trust yourself, understand what you actually want, and stop allowing outside expectations to write your story for you.

In this episode, Adam and Chris dive into:

• Why external success doesn't always create internal fulfillment
• How expectations from family, society, and other people can quietly shape our lives
• What “internal authority” means—and why it matters
• The connection between identity, relationships, and personal growth
• Why high performers can struggle even when everything looks great on paper
• How to reconnect with what YOU actually want
• What it means to become the author of your own story
• Practical ways to start building a life that feels as good as it looks

If you've ever checked the boxes, achieved the goals, and still wondered, “Is this really the life I want?”—this conversation is for you.

🎙️ Connect with Chris Palasz & Peak State

Email: [email protected]
Website: www.peakstate.coach
Instagram: @Chris_Palasz

🎧 The Pursuit of Progress Podcast

Real conversations about personal growth, business, relationships, mindset, and becoming a better version of yourself—one step at a time.

If this episode resonates with you, share it with someone who might need to hear it, and make sure to follow The Pursuit of Progress so you don't miss the next episode.

We've all met people who seemed to have every natural advantage—yet never reached their potential. We've also seen ordinary people accomplish extraordinary things through perseverance and determination.

What's the difference?

In this episode of The Pursuit of Progress, Adam explores one of Zig Ziglar's most enduring principles: "Your attitude, not your aptitude, determines your altitude."

You'll discover what aptitude really is, why attitude is one of the greatest predictors of long-term success, and how your response to adversity can shape your future more than your circumstances ever will.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The difference between attitude and aptitude
• Why talent alone isn't enough
• The power of resilience and perseverance
• Real-world examples of people who refused to give up
• Simple daily habits to cultivate a winning mindset

No matter where you are on your journey, this episode is a reminder that while you can't always control your circumstances, you can always control how you respond—and that choice can make all the difference.

Success isn't just about working harder or learning more—it's about surrounding yourself with the right people.

In this episode of The Pursuit of Progress, I share the five types of people that have had the biggest impact on my own growth in business, real estate, investing, and life. From mentors who shorten the learning curve to coaches who hold you accountable, peers who push you forward, people you can teach, and those rare individuals who love you enough to tell you the truth—each plays a unique role in helping you become the best version of yourself.

You'll learn why no single person can fill every role, how to identify what's missing in your own circle, and practical ways to build relationships that accelerate your personal and professional growth.

In this episode you'll learn:

• Why relationships matter more than information
• The difference between a mentor and a coach
• Why high performers intentionally build their inner circle
• How teaching others accelerates your own growth
• Why honest feedback is one of the greatest gifts you can receive
• A simple exercise to identify who's shaping your future

The next breakthrough in your life may not come from another book, podcast, or course—it may come from one conversation with the right person.

When the 2022 FIFA World Cup Final came down to penalty kicks, billions of people watched as years of preparation came down to a single moment.

But champions aren't made in the spotlight—they're revealed by the work they've done long before anyone is watching.

In this episode of The Pursuit of Progress, Adam explores what one of the greatest sporting moments in history can teach us about handling pressure in everyday life. Whether you're preparing for a job interview, buying your first home, launching a business, giving a presentation, or facing a difficult conversation, the biggest moments in life often come down to how well you've prepared.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why you don't rise to the occasion—you fall to the level of your preparation.
• How pressure is often a sign you're pursuing something meaningful.
• Why confidence is built through action, not born into a select few.
• How the small habits you practice today prepare you for tomorrow's biggest opportunities.

Your defining moment probably isn't today—but it's being built today.

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow The Pursuit of Progress, leave a review, and share it with someone who's preparing for their own big moment.

For years, we've heard that Millennials were taking over the housing market and Gen Z was right behind them.

But the latest National Association of REALTORS® Generational Trends Report tells a very different story.

Baby Boomers now make up the largest group of home buyers in America, while first-time home buyers have fallen to the lowest level ever recorded.

So what does that mean if you're hoping to buy your first home in Denver—or anywhere else—in 2026?

In this episode of The Pursuit of Progress, Adam and Ben break down the surprising data behind today's housing market, why so many younger buyers feel left behind, and, most importantly, what you can do to put yourself in a position to succeed.

This isn't just an episode about real estate. It's about preparation, long-term thinking, and creating opportunities instead of waiting for the "perfect" market.

• Why Baby Boomers are now the largest group of home buyers
• The surprising age of today's average first-time buyer
• The biggest mistake many aspiring homeowners are making
• Why preparation beats trying to time the market
• Practical steps Denver buyers can take today to become purchase-ready

The market may be changing—but the opportunity to build long-term wealth through homeownership is still alive for those who prepare for it.

🎧 Subscribe to The Pursuit of Progress for weekly conversations about personal growth, financial success, real estate, and building a better future.

Most people remember the championship.

Very few remember the years of heartbreak that came first.

In this episode of The Pursuit of Progress, Adam and Ben explore one of the greatest comeback stories in sports history—Lionel Messi's journey from crushing defeats and retirement to finally lifting the World Cup trophy.

But this episode isn't really about soccer.

It's about resilience, perseverance, and why your biggest setbacks may actually be preparing you for your greatest victories.

You'll also discover what one of the most pressure-filled moments in sports—the penalty kick—can teach us about preparation, confidence, and performing when everything is on the line.

Whether you're building a business, buying your first home, working toward financial freedom, or simply trying to become the best version of yourself, these lessons apply to all of us.

• Why Lionel Messi's greatest chapter almost never happened
• How failure prepares you for future success
• What pressure reveals about your preparation
• Why champions aren't made overnight
• Practical lessons you can apply to your career, relationships, finances, and everyday life

Remember: Failure is never final. The greatest chapter of your story may still be ahead of you.

🎧 Subscribe to The Pursuit of Progress for new episodes every week featuring practical lessons to help you grow in business, money, relationships, and life.

Season 3 Episode 24 | If You Don't Choose Your Life... It Gets Chosen For You

Most people don't intentionally choose a life they're unhappy with.

They simply stop making intentional decisions.

One day turns into one year. One year turns into ten. Before they know it, they're living a life that feels "fine"… but not one they ever consciously designed.

In this solo episode of Pursuit of Progress, Adam explores the difference between drifting through life and intentionally creating the future you actually want. Whether it's your career, relationships, finances, health, or even where you choose to live, every decision—or every decision you avoid—moves you in one direction or another.

The good news?

You don't have to keep drifting.

You can start taking control today.

If you've ever felt stuck, unfulfilled, or like you're simply going through the motions, this episode will challenge you to pause, reflect, and begin making decisions that align with the life you truly want to build.

If you're thinking about buying, selling, investing, or relocating to the Denver area, I'd love to help you create a plan that supports your long-term goals.

📅 Schedule your free 30-minute strategy session:
👉 www.adamsellsdenver.com

Who are the five people you spend the most time with?

According to legendary personal development coach Jim Rohn, those five people may have a bigger impact on your future than you realize.

Your mindset, habits, standards, confidence, health, finances, and even the goals you pursue are often shaped by the people and influences surrounding you every day.

In this episode of Pursuit of Progress, we explore the powerful idea that your environment influences your outcomes and why being intentional about who and what you allow into your life can completely change your trajectory.

Whether you're looking to improve your finances, grow your career, build wealth through real estate, or simply become the best version of yourself, this episode will help you take a closer look at one of the most overlooked factors affecting your future.

🎧 Listen now and ask yourself:
Are the people around you helping you grow—or keeping you where you are?

Most people think the tax code exists simply to collect more money.

But when you study it closely, you'll notice something interesting:

The system often rewards ownership, investing, retirement planning, homeownership, and long-term thinking.

In this episode of The Pursuit of Progress, Adam Lang and Ben Adams break down seven ways the IRS allows people to legally keep more of their hard-earned money.

We discuss:

• Home sale tax exclusions
• Roth IRA distributions
• Long-term capital gains
• Step-up in basis rules
• Life insurance proceeds
• Municipal bonds
• VA disability benefits

These aren't loopholes.

They're existing rules that many people never fully understand or take advantage of.

Because building wealth isn't just about making more money.

It's also about keeping more of what you earn.

This episode is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered tax, legal, or financial advice.