In this episode of The Alchemy Podcast, host Doug Cartwright sits down with Max “Ponyboy” Jones to unpack authentic growth in door-to-door sales, identity work, and leading with vision. 

Ponyboy shares the origin of his nickname, his early years navigating tough markets, and the pivotal choice to stay committed when friends quit. He opens up about a “dark night of the soul,” the tools that helped him out of it (including Byron Katie’s “The Work”), and how solidifying identity and daily disciplines transformed his results. They also dive into recruiting with integrity, building culture without toxicity, and designing an adventurous, freedom-driven life—hello, Bali.

Timestamps of Key Moments:

00:00 – Intro: Welcoming Max “Ponyboy” Jones & the nickname origin story

01:12 – Rookie Year Starts: Joining Sunrun/Meraki under Zach Anderson & first impressions

03:05 – Little Rock, AR: Culture shock, Pine Bluff “Crime Bluff,” and selling through chaos

05:02 – Choosing to Stay: Friends leave, but Ponyboy commits—why quitting wasn’t an option

06:30 – First Wins: $26K out of high school and the early mindset around money and vision

08:14 – Year Two Leap: From 42 to 120 accounts—being “two feet in” and better leadership

10:22 – Georgia Year: Negative culture, “protecting bandwidth,” and separating to produce

12:47 – Rituals That Worked: Gym for emotional regulation, journaling, and boundary setting

15:10 – Dark Night of the Soul: Months of anxiety, shadow work, and support from mentors

18:06 – The Work by Byron Katie: Deconstructing “I’m not a top rep” and flipping the story

21:18 – Identity Stack: “I am” statements, spoken affirmations, and energy that closes

24:03 – Freedom & Adventure: Designing life around impact, recruiting authentically, Bali plans

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