🌟 Introduction to Business Story of the Week

Every business has a story, and every story has the power to inspire. Welcome to Business Story of the Week, where we take you behind the scenes of incredible journeys from setbacks to comebacks and everything in between. Hosted by Joshua Lori, this week’s episode introduces a powerful conversation with James Madison, CEO of On Purpose Life. James has a unique message: you can achieve extraordinary success without the relentless hustle that leaves so many burned out.

🗣️ Guest Introduction: James Madison

Meet James Madison—a speaker, trainer, coach, and CEO of On Purpose Life. James helps successful senior leaders navigate through burnout and overwhelm to achieve extraordinary results. His mantra? Success doesn’t have to come at the cost of your well-being. In this conversation, James shares the secret to living a life of all flow, no hustle—and it all starts with understanding who you truly are.

Young James: Overcoming Self-Doubt

James wasn’t always the confident leader you see today. He began his journey burdened by a belief many of us can relate to: the lie that he wasn’t good enough. This limiting belief drove James to prove himself constantly—seeking external validation and success to cover up his internal doubt. This “prove energy,” as he calls it, helped him achieve success on the outside but led to burnout on the inside. 😓

As James puts it, “No one ever told me I wasn’t good enough; it was a lie I told myself.” Overcoming this mindset was a key turning point in his life.

The Power of “Prove Energy”

We live in a world that glorifies hustle—work until you drop, they say, because that’s what success demands, right? Wrong. James explains that operating on prove energy may yield results in the short term but comes at the cost of long-term well-being. “We’re constantly running out,” James says, “because we’re valuing ourselves through external achievements.”

Military Experience and Leadership Lessons

James’s military experience shaped his understanding of leadership and purpose. Serving in the army during Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm, he learned the importance of mission, purpose, and teamwork. These lessons translated seamlessly into his post-military corporate career, where he learned that leadership isn’t about knowing everything—it’s about supporting your team and guiding them toward success. 🏆