Why Most People Never Become Their Best Self (Even Though They Have the Potential) #526

Most people don’t fail because they lack talent. They fail because they can’t sustain excellence. In this powerful episode of the Secret to Success Podcast, the conversation goes far deeper than motivation—into parenting, accountability, discipline, and what it actually takes to become the best version of yourself every day, not just when you feel inspired. You’ll hear: A raw voice message from a father breaking generational cycles Why most people only visit greatness instead of living there The difference between talent and autopilot discipline How accountability separates role players from legends Why your children should inherit more than memories—they should inherit momentum This episode isn’t comfortable. But it’s necessary. Chapters 00:00:00 Opening: The Walmart Adventure and Living on the Wild Side 00:01:54 Welcome and Team Introductions - What ET learned from Ben Johnson 00:09:00 The Village is Broken: When You Can't Intervene Anymore 00:21:42 Jayda's Breakthrough: When Your Daughter Becomes Your Therapist 00:31:00 What Does Your Best Self Actually Look Like? 00:39:15 Know Thyself: Being the Best Version of YOU, Not Someone Else 00:40:50 The Jada Thomas Reveal: Hidden Dialogues Podcast Launch 00:48:00 The Chris Paul Lesson: Why People Reject Accountability 00:53:30 Hall of Fame Mentality: When Your Practice is Harder Than the Game 01:05:57 Closing: Kalm Downwith Karl, Millionaire Moments and Building Generational Momentum 👇 Take action: 👉 Register for the ET One Percent Solution Conference https://etonepercent.com 👉 Subscribe to the Secret to Success Podcast on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@S2SPodcastChannel?sub_confirmation=1 👉 Follow S2S on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/s2spodcast 👉 Join the S2S Patreon for exclusive content & live conversations - https://www.patreon.com/c/S2SPodcast120 Because transformation matters more than information.

Most people think belief is a feeling. This episode makes a different case. Your beliefs are visible — not in what you say, but in the results you keep producing. In this continuation of last week’s conversation, we break down why people can have information, opportunity, and effort — yet still see the same outcomes year after year. The issue isn’t hustle or knowledge. It’s what you truly believe is possible, allowed, or worth fully committing to. This episode explores how partial belief leads to partial commitment — and how that shows up everywhere: finances, relationships, faith, confidence, leadership, and decision-making. We talk about: Why belief always leaves evidence How effort without full belief creates cycles, not progress The difference between participating and fully stepping in Why your environment reinforces what you believe How results quietly reveal where commitment stops This isn’t motivation. It’s a mirror. If you’ve been doing the right things but still seeing the same results, this episode may explain why. EPISODE CHAPTERS: Chapters 00:00:00 Opening: The Practice Squad Mentality - You Don't Have to Be Perfect 00:01:50 Caleb Williams and the Ben Johnson Effect: Learning to See the Field 00:02:38 Stop Sleeping With the Enemy: Why Your Circle Is Keeping You Broke 00:03:09 It Burns My Heart: The Real Reason We Talk About Money 00:04:37 Let It Burn: When Your Credit Score Controls Your Destiny 00:07:42 God Said You Should Lend, Not Borrow: The Biblical Case for Wealth 00:09:46 Vengeance Is Mine: When People Owe You and God Is Teaching You 00:10:51 The Conference Invitation: Why You Need to Be in the Room 00:13:43 The $15 Million House Story: How Carl Made It With $30K and Good Credit 00:14:47 They Don't Want You in That Neighborhood: The Truth About Real Estate Gatekeeping 00:19:02 The Wizard of Oz Revelation: Everything You Need Is Already Inside You 00:21:27 Karl's Six-Figure Check Moment: When Belief Became Reality 00:23:51 The Dynasty Trust Attorney: When Doors Only Open at Certain Net Worth Levels 00:24:24 DeDe Said This Was the Best Christmas: When Communication Transforms Marriage 00:29:11 The Briefing to His Daughter: How Money Changed Karl's Family Language 00:31:01 Putting Money in Her Account: The Wisdom Jamal Gave Karl About His Wife 00:44:21 Just Believe: The Song, The Message, The Breakthrough 00:38:13 Every Result Has a Belief Behind It: Karl's Transformation Explained 00:49:56 Paycheck to Prosperity: The New System Mall and Karl Are Building 00:58:59 Work Your Work in the Morning, Evening Let Not Your Hands Be Idle 00:58:05 Turn the Light Switch Off: Carl's Million Dollar Moment 00:40:04 April 16-18 in Chicago: The 1% Solutions Gathering Announcement 01:06:15 Closing: Focus on This Opportunity With All Your Might 👉 Register for the ET One Percent Solution Conference https://etonepercent.com 👉 Subscribe to the Secret to Success Podcast on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@S2SPodcastChannel?sub_confirmation=1 👉 Follow S2S on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/s2spodcast 👉 Join the S2S Patreon for exclusive content & live conversations https://www.patreon.com/c/S2SPodcast120

Most people don’t fail because they lack talent. They fail because they can’t sustain excellence. In this powerful episode of the Secret to Success Podcast, the conversation goes far deeper than motivation—into parenting, accountability, discipline, and what it actually takes to become the best version of yourself every day, not just when you feel inspired. You’ll hear: A raw voice message from a father breaking generational cycles Why most people only visit greatness instead of living there The difference between talent and autopilot discipline How accountability separates role players from legends Why your children should inherit more than memories—they should inherit momentum This episode isn’t comfortable. But it’s necessary. Chapters 00:00:00 Opening: Breaking Generational Cycles of Parenting 00:01:43 Welcome and Team Introductions 00:02:58 Jemal's Vision Becoming Reality 00:05:00 CJ's First Walmart Experience: Living on the Wild Side 00:07:45 The Walmart Chronicles: $5 Rotisserie Chicken and Lost Leaders 00:15:40 Parenting in 2026: The Gentle Parenting Dilemma 00:17:57 ET and Jada's Therapy Session: Healing Father-Daughter Wounds 00:21:55 What Does Your Best Self Look Like Daily? 00:24:03 Karl's Excellence Standard: Whatever Your Hands Touch 00:35:59 The Autopilot Effect: When Excellence Becomes Natural 00:39:20 Becoming Your Authentic Self: The Carl and CJ Story 00:41:11 Jada's Hidden Dialogues: Introducing Her New Podcast 00:51:50 The Chris Paul Accountability Lesson 01:09:31 Your Kids Should Inherit Momentum, Not Just Memories 01:11:49 Closing: Concentration and Commitment to the Moment 👇 Take action: Subscribe for weekly mindset and leadership conversations Join the Patreon for behind-the-scenes and deeper breakdowns Share this episode with someone who needs to hear the truth Because transformation matters more than information.

Everyone’s talking about the Chicago Bears right now (or at least Jemal thinks so), and while a new coach matters, the real shift runs deeper. This episode breaks down a powerful truth about real turnarounds: the players didn’t change — the perspective did. Same roster. Same city. Same pressure. What changed was how the game was being seen, understood, and approached. And once that shifted, the results followed. Using the Bears as a real-world case study, this conversation explores why so many people stay stuck year after year. Not because they lack ability or effort, but because they keep trying to do more instead of learning to see differently. This isn’t about starting over. It’s about building on what’s already there. 🎯 In this episode, you’ll hear about: Why turnarounds don’t require new talent, just clearer perspective How guidance and coaching change what you notice and how you move The difference between repeating a year and actually creating a new one What happens when you stop chasing more and start maximizing what you already have Whether it’s your life, your career, your finances, or your faith — this message applies far beyond football. Chapters 00:00:00 Opening: Can You See Me Now? The Chicago Bears Energy 00:01:26 Welcome and Team Introductions: The Helmet Comes Out 00:05:16 Bears Fever: From Last Place to First in the Division 00:08:45 The Ben Johnson Effect: Why Coaching Changes Everything 00:20:17 New Year or Another Year? The Choice Is Yours 00:26:56 Don't Start Over—Keep Building: The Skyscraper Mentality 00:32:00 The Coaching Conversation: Carl's Real Estate Transformation Begins 00:33:45 From Crisis to Clarity: Carl's COVID Real Estate Story 00:36:34 The Equity Revelation: Money in the Bricks 00:43:05 The Six-Figure Check: Carl's First Major Real Estate Win 00:46:00 Why We Talk About Money: ET's Passionate Defense 00:50:04 Stop Listening to Broke People: Reading the Coverage of Wealth 00:51:26 Outro and Call to Action 👉 Register for the ET One Percent Solution Summit (Chicago) Real perspective. Real tools. Real turnaround conversations. https://etonepercent.com 👉 Subscribe to the Secret to Success Podcast on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@S2SPodcastChannel?sub_confirmation=1 👉 Follow us on Instagram for daily perspective shifts & behind-the-scenes moments https://www.instagram.com/s2spodcast 👉 Join the S2S Patreon for exclusive episodes, live conversations, and deeper breakdowns https://www.patreon.com/c/S2SPodcast120

Most people don’t fail because they lack talent, intelligence, or opportunity. They fail because no one around them tells the truth. In this episode of the Secret to Success, Eric Thomas, CJ, and Karl break down why success becomes dangerous when accountability disappears—and why many people collapse after they start winning. This conversation hits hard: Why discipline alone eventually fails How “yes-men” quietly sabotage your future The role appetite plays in self-destruction Why unchecked power and money expose character How to build a circle that protects your purpose, not your ego This isn’t about cutting people off out of pride. It’s about protecting your life, your family, and your future. If no one in your life can correct you, challenge you, or stop you when you’re wrong—you’re not free. You’re exposed. 🎯 Takeaway You don’t need more motivation. You need one person who won’t let you lie to yourself. Chapters 00:00:00 Opening: The Power of Accountability and Appetite Control 00:02:14 Welcome and Team Introductions 00:05:42 Building Legacy Through Systems, Not Just Hard Work 00:08:52 The Chick-fil-A Lesson: Identity Over Everything 00:12:00 Technology Went Too Far: The Amazon Christmas Story 00:16:28 The First Directive: Stop Having Sex 00:20:34 Why Most Successful Men Crash and Burn 00:24:18 Accountability Is Not Discipline - It's Your Circle 00:34:23 The Diddy Documentary and Complicit Silence 00:45:49 Second-Hand Smoke: Why Your Circle Determines Your Future 00:47:38 Praying for Your Tribe and Leaving to Level Up 00:52:44 Be, Do, Have: Getting the Order Right 00:53:27 Your 9-to-5 Should Fund Your Exit, Not Trap Your Future 00:52:01 Closing: Join Us at the 1% Solution Experience 00:55:28 Outro and Subscribe 🔗 Important Links & CTAs 🎟️ The One Percent Experience An immersive 3-day experience for leaders, families, and teams 📍 Chicago | April 16–18, 2026 👉 https://etonepercent.com 🎧 Subscribe to the Secret to Success Podcast New episodes every week—real conversations, real growth. https://www.youtube.com/@S2SPodcastChannel?sub_confirmation=1 ⭐ Leave a Review on Apple Podcasts Your feedback helps us reach more people who need this message. 📤 Share This Episode Send this to someone who needs accountability—not applause. 👉 Join the S2S Patreon for exclusive content and behind-the-scenes access: https://www.patreon.com/c/S2SPodcast120 🧠 Final Reminder Transformation requires truth. And truth only works when someone is brave enough to speak it.

This year doesn’t need more motivation. It needs clarity, discipline, and intention. In this episode of the Secret to Success Podcast, Eric Thomas breaks down 7 rules that actually matter if you want to win this year — not just stay busy, not just feel inspired, but make real progress. These aren’t trends. They’re principles. You’ll learn: Why delusion keeps people stuck longer than failure How choosing what’s good beats choosing what feels good Why boredom is a requirement for mastery How to become unreplaceable in any environment The difference between playing defense and playing offense Why responsibility beats loyalty How to decide the meaning of whatever this year brings No hype. No shortcuts. Just truth you can build on. Happy New Year. Let’s work. Chapters 00:00:00 Opening: This Is What They're Not Telling You 00:00:52 Rule 1: Get Out of Delusion and Into Reality 00:08:05 Rule 2: Choose What's Good, Not What Feels Good 00:16:05 Rule 3: Boredom Builds Champions 00:24:45 Rule 4: Become Unreplaceable Through Diversification 00:30:44 Rule 5: Stop Playing Defense and Learn to Play Offense 00:39:32 Rule 6: Responsibility Beats Loyalty 00:48:06 Rule 7: Do Dark Different 00:54:01 Closing: Decisions Define You, Not the New Year 00:55:07 Outro and Call to Action If this episode challenged you, make sure you subscribe and share it with someone who needs clarity this year. 👉 Subscribe to S2S: https://www.youtube.com/@S2SPodcastChannel?sub_confirmation=1 👉 Join the S2S Patreon for exclusive content and behind-the-scenes access: https://www.patreon.com/c/S2SPodcast120

As 2025 comes to a close, we wanted to take a moment to look back. This episode is a collection of some of our favorite moments from the Secret to Success Podcast this year — real conversations, honest questions, unexpected laughs, and truth-filled discussions that stayed with us long after the microphones were off. From relationships and communication… to mindset, reality, and self-awareness… these clips capture the heart of what S2S has always been about: growth through real talk. Whether a moment makes you laugh, reflect, or pause for a second longer than expected, our hope is that it reminds you how powerful honest conversations can be. Thank you for listening, sharing, and being part of the journey with us in 2025. We’re grateful for you — and excited for what’s ahead.

“Be honest — what’s something you’ve been consistent at… but haven’t seen results from yet?” You can do the right things and still be headed in the wrong direction. In this episode of the Secret to Success Podcast, the conversation goes straight at a frustration many disciplined people quietly carry: “I followed the rules. I showed up. I stayed consistent… so why isn’t it working?” This isn’t a motivational episode. It’s an examination. The team breaks down why effort alone doesn’t produce growth, how consistency without measurement becomes rehearsed failure, and why isolation — not laziness — is often the real reason progress stalls. You’ll hear why pain is often proof of progress, why feedback is essential (even when it hurts), and how following the wrong formula can keep smart, hardworking people stuck for years. If you’ve been doing the work but questioning the results, this episode will help you identify what needs to change — without throwing away everything you’ve built. This conversation is about alignment, correction, and building with intention — not just grinding harder. Chapters 00:00:00 Opening: Consistency Isn't Enough 00:01:26 Welcome and Team Introductions 00:06:55 How Do You Know When God Is Telling You to Move? 00:11:33 The Power of Making Decisions Over Waiting 00:13:23 Patterns Over Decisions: Learning God's Ways 00:15:57 Excellence Is God: Moving in the Spirit of Excellence 00:16:46 Consistency Without Quality Is Rehearsed Failure 00:21:37 The Sandpaper People: Why You Need Correction 00:24:18 Stop Working in Isolation: The Cage Mentality 00:34:39 Measuring Progress: Pain Equals Progress 00:38:04 Quick Evaluation: The Secret to Accelerated Growth 00:40:15 Being Coachable: ET's Jordan Brand Adjustment 00:43:09 Real Numbers, Real Accountability 00:57:52 Breaking Free from Your Cage: Changing Your Circle 01:02:07 Closing: Merry Christmas and Final Encouragement Subscribe If you’re serious about growth — not just motivation — subscribe to the channel. New conversations drop weekly, focused on discipline, clarity, and building a life that actually works. Join Our Patreon Community If you want to go deeper than the podcast, join our Patreon community. Patreon members get: - Behind-the-scenes conversations - Extended discussions and bonus content - Direct access to the community shaping these ideas in real time patreon.com/s2spodcast120 Share This Episode If this episode made you uncomfortable — it’ll probably help someone you care about. Share it with a friend who’s doing everything right but feels stuck. Share this with someone who’s doing everything right but feels stuck

If life feels heavy, confusing, or just stuck… you’re not broken. You’re not cursed. You’re not “falling behind.” You’re in a phase nobody teaches you how to navigate: the dark season. In today’s episode, the guys break down why your hardest moments keep repeating, why running from discomfort actually makes it worse, and the one shift that finally moves you forward. ET explains how every version of success he’s had was formed in moments nobody saw. Jamal talks about the darkness that exposed the real picture of his life and pushed him toward real estate. Karl breaks down how creativity, identity, and resilience are all born in the dark—never in comfort. This conversation will change how you interpret struggle, setbacks, disappointment, and pressure. Because the truth is simple: You don’t grow in the light. You grow in the hard stuff. And once you know how to face it, everything changes. 🔥 In This Episode You’ll Learn: Why God prepares your table in the presence of your enemies—and why you keep praying them away How darkness is not Satan's domain—it's where God forms everything The difference between light (what's already formed) and dark (where you're being formed) Why the Buffalo runs into the storm while everyone else gets stuck in it longer Jamal's real story: sitting in that squad car at midnight, feeling like a failure—and how that darkness exposed the picture God was developing How to do dark different: prepare before it comes, embrace it when it's here, and let it form you instead of break you Why your prayers in the light are different than your prayers in the dark—and how that's costing you your breakthrough 🚀 JOIN THE 1% CHALLENGE Surround yourself with people who won’t let you settle. 👉 ETOnePercent.com 🎥 JOIN THE PATREON FAMILY (LIVE RECORDINGS + EXCLUSIVE CONTENT) Don’t just watch the podcast—experience it with us. 👉 Patreon.com/S2SPodcast120 📘 READ KARL’S BOOK — “Moving Past Potential” A blueprint for breaking through fear, hesitation, and overthinking. 👉 MovingPastPotential.com

Most people don’t fail because they lack talent— they fail because their ego keeps putting them in positions they’re not built for. This episode is a wake-up call for anyone who keeps blowing opportunities, breaking alliances, sabotaging good teams, or confusing “control” with “calling.” We’re talking identity, roles, loyalty, humility, and the dangerous trend of chasing titles instead of mastering your assignment. If you’ve ever walked away from the people who built you… If you keep trying to lead when you’re meant to support… If you think you want the spotlight but can’t handle the responsibility… If you’re losing while insisting on being in charge… …this conversation is going to sting, but it will straighten out your whole approach to success. It’s time to tell the truth: You can’t win the game when your ego won’t let you play your position. And for the first time ever, we’re introducing two new segments designed to shift your mindset daily: 🔥 Kalm Down with Karl 🔥 Mal’s Millionaire Moment Powerful clarity. Tactical mindset shifts. Zero excuses. 🚨 FREE 8-DAY ENCORE WITH ET — STARTS DECEMBER 8TH Daily sessions. Real accountability. Serious breakthroughs. If you’re stuck, drifting, or overwhelmed, don’t miss this. 👉 Sign up free: https://www.et1percent.com 🔒 JOIN THE S2S PATREON FAMILY Watch the episodes LIVE, get exclusive behind-the-scenes content, bonus content, and connect with the community that grows WITH you. 👉 https://www.patreon.com/S2SPodcast120 📌 CONNECT WITH US Instagram: @s2spodcast YouTube: S2S Podcast Channel Website: s2spodcast.com