In this episode of the Collective Genius Podcast, I sit down with Alex Pardo—seasoned investor and founder of Ascend—to dive into how and why he walked away from a successful real estate operation to build a business that aligned with his purpose. After flipping hundreds of homes and building a high-revenue company, Alex hit a wall. He realized he was scaling stress, not freedom.

Alex shares how he redefined success, embraced his zone of genius, and now mentors other entrepreneurs to build businesses that support—not sabotage—their lives. We explore his exit from wholesaling, the mindset shifts that changed everything, and why fulfillment and profit aren't mutually exclusive. If you're tired of chasing volume and ready to chase vision, this episode is for you.

Timeline Summary

[0:00] - Introduction

[2:40] - Alex's flipping background: over 400 deals and a 7-figure business

[5:50] - The burnout that led him to question his definition of success

[9:10] - Why he walked away from a profitable wholesaling machine

[12:30] - The pivotal moment that made him pivot toward purpose

[15:20] - How he discovered his "zone of genius" and realigned his business

[18:45] - Building Ascend: a mastermind for high-level entrepreneurs

[21:30] - The key differences between growth and fulfillment

[24:00] - How to escape the operator seat and step into visionary leadership

[27:10] - Alex's tools for self-awareness, reflection, and decision-making

[30:20] - Advice for investors feeling stuck in success but empty inside

[33:50] - Why building a life-centered business starts with brutal honesty

[36:30] - What freedom actually looks like for Alex today—and what it cost

5 Key Takeaways

1. Success Without Fulfillment Is Failure – Profit alone doesn't create peace.

2. Your Business Should Serve Your Life – Not the other way around.

3. Know Your Zone of Genius – Doing more of what you're great at unlocks energy and purpose.

4. Reflection Is a Superpower – Honest, regular check-ins keep your vision aligned.

5. You Can Redefine Winning – It's never too late to pivot into a life you actually want.

Links & Resources

• AscendYourSuccess.com – Alex's mastermind and coaching community

• ExploreCG.com – Learn more about the Collective Genius community

• Recommended book: The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks

If this episode sparked clarity or inspired you to shift toward more purposeful business building, don't forget to follow, rate, and review the Collective Genius Podcast. And share it with someone who's ready to scale their life—not just their numbers.