Attention gets eyes, credibility gets trust, and trust creates long-term impact. For me, the biggest way I’m building credibility right now is simple but powerful: showing up consistently with real conversations. Not chasing virality. Not over-polishing. Just deep, honest podcast conversations with people who’ve actually walked the path, sharing wins, mistakes, and lessons in real time. Authority isn’t claimed. It’s earned through consistency, clarity, and contribution. Curious to hear from others too 👇 What’s one action you’re taking today to build believability, not just visibility?

How I turned Discomfort, Discipline, and Funnels into a Purpose-Driven Movement. The Wake-Up Call... When I was a teenager, I wasn’t exactly the best kid. I ran with the wrong crowd and did a lot of things I’m not proud of. By the time I was 20, I was on a path to nowhere. I didn’t go to college, was living paycheck to paycheck, and had no goals, no direction, no purpose in life. Then one day, I made a Decision. A single decision that changed everything. I decided to stop doing all the things that had gotten me to that point. I cut off the people dragging me down and started surrounding myself with people who lifted me up. I made the commitment to become a career firefighter no matter what it took. I wanted more than just to...exist. I wanted to live a life that had Meaning. A life that made a Difference. One I could be proud of! So in 2001, I started down that path. It wasn’t easy. But through Hard Work, Dedication, and Grit, I changed the course of my life. I became the man I knew I was meant to be. Eventually, I became a firefighter and it’s been a fulfilling and rewarding career. I’ve experienced a level of satisfaction and pride that most people never get to feel...and Im grateful for this! But...By the end of 2018, something was missing. Life was good... I had a great job and a wonderful family. But deep down, I wasn’t fulfilled. I felt like I needed to do more. I felt like I was capable of more but didn’t know how to unlock it. Then I read a quote that hit me like a ton of bricks: “Do something that sucks every day.” It made me realize I’d gotten too comfortable. Too many people live on autopilot. Same routine, day after day. But growth doesn’t happen in comfort. It happens when you choose to get uncomfortable. So I did something that SUCKED! I laced up my shoes and I ran...10 miles! And…I suck at running! But I did it anyway. And when I finished, even though I was wrecked...I felt ALIVE! That was the moment everything changed.

The Winter Olympics are on right now. I saw a clip of a snowboarder talking about what happens right before he drops in. Top of the run. Crowd watching. No room for hesitation. He said he still gets nervous. And right before he goes, he says one word: “Believe.” That’s it. No long speech. No hype ritual. Just one word. And it would be easy to mock something that simple. But if you’ve ever shipped something that matters.. You know exactly why it works. There’s a moment before the drop. Before you launch. Before you hit publish. Before you price it higher than feels comfortable. Before you put your name behind something real. Your nervous system lights up. “What if this flops?” “What if I’m not ready?” “What if I look stupid?” That’s the edge. ..the test... I built something recently. Brand new. Big swing. High price. And I fought through layers of fear and anxiety to get it live. Not once. Multiple times. And when it was time to push… There’s a moment where you either shrink… Or you commit. The words you speak to yourself in that moment matter more than people realize. Thought precedes action. Belief precedes execution. "Think and Grow Rich" has stuck around for a reason. You don’t perform beyond your internal narrative. And now? It’s live. It’s helping. People have bought it. And I’m proud. Proud of the work. Of staying consistent. Of not backing down. If you’re reading this, you either have something valuable.. or you’re building it. This is the most exciting time in history to be a builder. So when you’re at the top of your own drop.. And the fear kicks in.. Say the word. Believe. Then go. 🚀 - James