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THRIVEONLIFE Podcast: Helping people live better lives with tips on health, wealth, and happiness.
THRIVEONLIFE Podcast: Helping people live better lives with tips on health, wealth, and happiness. episodes
- EP357: How Entrepreneurship Almost Killed Our Marriage - Part I
***Listen to EP355 CJ's POV and EP356 Erin's POV before this episode***
Erin & Cj discuss how emotional maturity, shared self-discovery, and a week together in Houston revealed new sides of each other and deepened compatibility. The conversation explores how marriage is a lifelong commitment that requires working through discomfort rather than quitting at early conflict, including early bickering after moving in together. They dive into the hardest strain on their relationship: CJ leaving a stable engineering career for entrepreneurship, the uncertainty and pivots that raised concerns about stability, and how bringing Erin into his journey and community rebuilt trust. They close by connecting these lessons to parenting and the realities of day-to-day family life.00:00 Intro01:09 From Friends To Romance03:36 The Houston Texas Turning Point05:02 Dealing with Loss And The Maturity That Comes From It07:03 Discovering Purpose And Defining Meaning09:00 CJ's Perspective Shift12:07 What If No History14:25 Their "Houston Week" Highlights18:48 Butterfly Effect In Dating19:48 Marriage Is A Choice21:37 Early Living Together Conflicts22:29 Entrepreneurship Uncertainty Stress25:59 Perspective Through Hard Times27:14 Learning To Ask For Help29:37 Why Quit The Safe Job33:45 Bringing Your Partner Along38:50 Discomfort Reveals Strengths40:03 Parenting Reality CheckConnect with ErinInstagram
TikTok
Connect with CJ Finley:
CJ's Instagram
CJ's YouTube
CJ's Twitter
cjfinley.com
ThriveOnLife Podcast Instagram
USE CJ'S PRODUCT DISCOUNT CODES HERE43 min - EP356: From Friendship to Forever - Erin's Point of ViewIn this solo episode, Erin reflects on her marriage to CJ, whom she has known since age 10, and how their relationship unfolded unexpectedly from a deep friendship into partnership and parenthood. She recounts CJ driving from Nashville to Houston after a July 2015 visit revealed romantic potential, her initial hesitation to risk their friendship, and how she came to see his care, support during her father’s death, and his entrepreneurial drive. Erin describes encouraging CJ’s early fitness Instagram start, the tension and uncertainty caused by CJ’s shifting ventures and dislike of traditional jobs, and how trust and mutual support have sustained them. Now raising two young children in Austin without nearby family, they make intentional sacrifices, communicate around time constraints, integrate fitness into family life, and emphasize love, principles, alignment, and cherishing small moments.Key Moments00:38 Childhood Friends to Marriage02:04 The Austin Weekend Spark04:10 Why I Said No To Dating Him Before06:51 Dreaming and Building Together08:57 Houston Move and Career Leap12:21 Living With Hyperfocus16:23 Parenthood Without having a Village of Support21:06 What We Want Our Kids to Learn From Us25:59 Thriving in Marriage Lessons28:14 Letting Life Unfold Without ExpectationsConnect with Erin
Instagram
TikTok
Connect with CJ Finley:
CJ's Instagram
CJ's YouTube
CJ's Twitter
cjfinley.com
ThriveOnLife Podcast Instagram
USE CJ'S PRODUCT DISCOUNT CODES HERE32 min - E355: Marriage Lessons - CJ's Point of View
In this episode, CJ opens up about the real, unfiltered journey of marriage. Sharing candid insights into the challenges and triumphs he and his wife, Erin, have experienced over more than a decade together. From navigating the early stages of long-distance love to learning how to communicate through conflict, CJ reveals how their differing opinions, stubbornness, and occasional bickering became catalysts for growth rather than division. He dives deep into how they established roles, balanced their careers and parenting, and leaned on mutual respect and communication to strengthen their bond.
KEY TOPICS
- The dynamics of conflict and fighting in marriage
- Long-distance relationship challenges and commitment
- Personal growth as a foundation for attracting the right partner
- Balancing careers, entrepreneurship, and family life
- Communication and transparency as keys to relationship success
- Division of roles and responsibilities in a partnership
- Appreciation for simple, everyday moments in love
- Managing risk, stability, and ambitions within a marriage
Timestamps
01:19 Marriage And Fighting02:30 Early Conflict Lessons05:02 Stress And Emotions08:29 How We Met10:45 The 12 Hour Drive13:00 Becoming Undeniable17:53 Success And Support23:59 Cost Of The Dream28:54 Love In The Little MomentsUSE CJ'S PRODUCT DISCOUNT CODES HEREConnect with ErinInstagram
TikTok
Connect with CJ Finley:
CJ's Instagram
CJ's YouTube
CJ's Twitter
cjfinley.com
ThriveOnLife Podcast Instagram
34 min - E354: How Fatherhood and Ultra Running has Reignited My Drive
WATCH THIS EPISODE ON VIDEO
After a year-long hiatus to focus on family, his new role as COO of J&S Accounting Solutions, and growing the brand and mission at Men In The Arena, CJ Finley is back.In this episode, CJ discusses his journey towards becoming a focused leader and the mental shift required to balance high-level business with fatherhood. He also breaks down the lessons learned from training for and completing a 62 mile ultra marathon—and why true growth requires embracing discomfort and doing less, better.
Key Topics:
The "You can do anything, but not everything" mindset.
Transitioning into life as a Dad of two, joining a new business, and learning to endure greater discomfort.
How a 62 mile ultra marathon changes your perspective on grit in everyday life.
Reducing resistance to life's necessary tasks.
Connect with CJ Finley:
CJ's Instagram
CJ's YouTube
CJ's Twitter
cjfinley.com
ThriveOnLife Podcast Instagram
30 min - E353: Life Lessons from Running 5 miles A Day For Over 110 days.
Have you ever thought about running 5 miles a day for a month? What about 3 months?
CJ never thought he would either.
Watch his Youtube video on why he started this challenge here
But now it has been 110+ days of running 5 miles per day and he is reflecting on the initial challenges, the unexpected benefits, and the deep self-reflection that came with committing to this challenge.
From battling distractions and social media influences to reconnecting with his personal goals, CJ unpacks how this experience has reshaped his views on productivity, goal setting, and personal growth.
Tune in to hear how a simple commitment to run led to profound insights on living intentionally and aligning actions with long-term aspirations.
Watch his Youtube video on why he started this challenge here
How he felt after 5 miles a day for one month...
Key Topics:- [00:01:45] Motivations and goals for starting the daily five-mile run
- [00:05:30] Insights on self-discovery and the impact of disconnecting from social media
- [00:10:20] Evaluating life and career alignment post-challenge
- [00:14:50] Plans for the future and how the challenge shaped these aspirations
USE CJ'S PRODUCT DISCOUNT CODES HERE
Connect with CJ Finley:
CJ's Instagram
CJ's YouTube
CJ's Twitter
cjfinley.com
ThriveOnLife Podcast Instagram
thriveonlife.com
17 min - E352: Want to be a better father? Follow these 5 Facets Of Fatherhood.
In this solo episode, CJ dives deep into his personal framework for fatherhood, anchored by five key areas: Family, Finance, Fitness, Fun, and Faith.
He shares how these "5 F's" guide him as a dad and help him lead by example in all aspects of life.
From setting financial goals for his child to fostering deep family connections and making health a priority, CJ opens up about the joys and challenges of fatherhood. Whether you're a new dad or experienced, this episode offers practical insights into balancing life and family while creating lasting memories.
Key Topics
[00:01:15] – The "Facets of Fatherhood" framework, explaining how Family, Finance, Fitness, Fun, and Faith combine to guide his journey as a father.
[00:05:45] – CJ discusses the struggle of balancing his career with fatherhood and making his son the priority.
[00:09:45] – Insight into how to use family dinners and clear boundaries to instill important family values into your child from an early age.
[00:12:35] – Teaching financial literacy at a young age by starting a child's bank account and teaching lessons about saving and spending.
[00:16:45] – The importance of fun and play, encouraging dads to reconnect with their inner child to bond with their kids.
USE CJ'S PRODUCT DISCOUNT CODES HERE
Connect with CJ Finley:
CJ's Instagram
CJ's YouTube
CJ's Twitter
cjfinley.com
ThriveOnLife Podcast Instagram
thriveonlife.com
24 min - E351: Why Complaining Won’t Solve Your Problems — But This Will
In this solo episode, CJ discusses the importance of taking action when faced with life’s challenges, emphasizing the need to either build the solution you seek or physical move toward it.
Drawing from personal experiences, he touches on feelings of loneliness in fatherhood, the power of community, and how connecting with like-minded individuals can help overcome struggles.
CJ shares how building a group of fathers has helped him combat isolation, and how moving to Austin facilitated his entrepreneurial growth. The episode serves as a motivational call to embrace discomfort, take control, and either create or move to the environment that supports your goals.
Key Topics -
[00:02:15] - Reflect on how growing up in a small town led to feelings of anxiety and depression and the discovery that he needed to either build or move toward a solution.
[00:05:50] - The emotional challenges of fatherhood, including loneliness and self-doubt, and how it’s shaped his thinking on creating solutions.
[00:09:15] - Insight into the power of community, as CJ explains how starting a group chat for fathers has positively impacted his life and the lives of others.
[00:14:45] - Scaling solutions beyond oneself, so that communities can thrive without constant input from the creator.
[00:16:50] - CJ discusses the decision to move to Austin to be around people who shared his entrepreneurial vision, illustrating how environment impacts personal and professional growth
USE CJ'S PRODUCT DISCOUNT CODES HERE
Connect with CJ Finley:
CJ's Instagram
CJ's YouTube
CJ's Twitter
cjfinley.com
ThriveOnLife Podcast Instagram
thriveonlife.com
19 min - EP350: I Feel Stuck - How Building Momentum is My Way Out.
In this solo episode, CJ explores the idea of building and maintaining momentum in life and business. He opens up about his personal struggles with analysis paralysis, perfectionism, and self-doubt, sharing practical ways he has learned to overcome these obstacles.
CJ talks about his commitment to running five miles every day, his renewed approach to podcasting, and the importance of accountability in sustaining progress.
By focusing on small, consistent steps and maintaining a balance between personal goals and community impact, CJ provides an inspiring blueprint for anyone looking to build momentum in their own lives.
Key Topics -
[03:12] – Fitness and discipline: How running five miles a day has helped CJ stay focused and build momentum.
[06:28] – Podcasting shift: Why shorter, more frequent episodes are key to regaining consistency.
[09:47] – Perfectionism and the struggle to stay motivated after previous successes.
[12:25] – The role of accountability: How being noticed by others creates a ripple effect for continued progress.
USE CJ'S PRODUCT DISCOUNT CODES HERE
Connect with CJ Finley:
CJ's Instagram
CJ's YouTube
CJ's Twitter
cjfinley.com
ThriveOnLife Podcast Instagram
thriveonlife.com
16 min - E349: I used to be scared to go to the gym...
In this solo episode, CJ delves into the transformative power of fitness training, tracing his evolution from a reserved teenager to a robust adult. He opens up about his early fears of gym culture, his eventual overcoming his own insecurities, and the supportive community that fostered his growth.
By sharing these personal experiences, CJ illustrates how consistent physical training has enhanced his mental resilience and overall well-being, encouraging listeners to take incremental steps towards their own fitness goals.
Key Topics- 01:15 - Discussing CJ's athletic background and the role of health tracking devices.
- 02:45 - Early challenges and overcoming fear of gym intimidation.
- 04:30 - The transformative first experiences at the gym and building initial fitness habits.
- 06:10 - How gym training bolstered CJ’s confidence and improved his soccer skills.
- 07:50 - Fitness as a stabilizing force during life transitions post-college.
- 09:20 - Expanding fitness regimen to include nutrition, recovery, and overall wellness.
- 10:35 - Philosophy of incremental progress and stacking small wins in fitness and life.
- 12:00 - Reasons for maintaining a rigorous fitness routine and future fitness challenges.
- 13:40 - Closing thoughts on adapting fitness to personal lifestyles and proactive health management.
USE CJ'S PRODUCT DISCOUNT CODES HERE
Connect with CJ Finley:
CJ's Instagram
CJ's YouTube
CJ's Twitter
cjfinley.com
ThriveOnLife Podcast Instagram
thriveonlife.com
15 min - E348: How I plan to rebuild this podcast...
In this solo episode, CJ explores the balance between creating content for personal fulfillment and creating content that resonates with an audience.
CJ reflects on his journey with the podcast, initially focusing on connecting with guests and sharpening podcasting skills, but eventually realizing the importance of creating content that aligns with his own vision and style.
Tune in to learn about the evolution of content creation and the significance of connecting with your audience while staying true to your creative voice.
Key Topics
[00:01:25] Creating for yourself vs. others.
[00:06:11] Embracing creativity and exploration.
[00:11:40] Creating a series of episodes to be more valuable.
[00:15:15] How winning takes on different forms.
[00:16:18] Constantly raising the bar is a must.
USE CJ'S PRODUCT DISCOUNT CODES HERE
Connect with CJ Finley:
CJ's Instagram
CJ's YouTube
CJ's Twitter
cjfinley.com
ThriveOnLife Podcast Instagram
thriveonlife.com
17 min
About THRIVEONLIFE Podcast: Helping people live better lives with tips on health, wealth, and happiness.
From the publisher's feed
The THRIVEONLIFE Podcast aims to help mission based people, brands, and businesses THRIVE on life, love, health, and everything in between.
Tune in every THRIVE THURSDAY as CJ Finley, speaks with guests who wish to help other people THRIVE in the areas of health and fitness, business and entrepreneurship, and mindset and mental health.
This show will provide answers to questions like:
*How do I get more physically, mentally, and spiritually fit?
*How business and entrepreneurship can make me a better human being?
*How do I start on my entrepreneurial journey?
*How do I make more money?
*How can I build communities?
*How can I produce social media content?
*How can I start, scale, and sell a business?
*How can I start an online business?
*How can I improve my relationship with myself?
*What books can I read to improve my life?
*Who can I surround myself with to improve my life?