Advertise on podcast: Living Vision with Aaron Velky

If you are dehydrated, you are inflamed. Inflammation is where sickness, acidity, and long-term health problems thrive. In this episode, we break down why most people are not actually sick. They are chronically dehydrated and do not even realize it. Water is the most overlooked pillar of health. We talk about why most tap water, bottled water, fridge filters, and popular alkaline water fail to properly hydrate the body. Not because water does not matter, but because the wrong kind of water does. Mikaal Schmitz, founder of Sacred Alkaline Water, joins the show to explain how hydration impacts inflammation, energy, mental clarity, sleep, and longevity. You will learn: Why dehydration fuels inflammationThe difference between clean water and living mineral waterWhy bottled alkaline water is often misleadingHow minerals and hydrogen affect absorption and energyWhy many people drink plenty of water yet remain dehydratedHow whole-home water quality affects both health and property Mikaal shares his personal journey, years of research, and why water has been ignored in the wellness conversation for too long. If you are serious about your health, your family, and long-term longevity, this episode will change how you think about every glass of water you drink. Water is not optional. It is foundational. If this episode helped you, leave a review and share it with someone who takes their health seriously.

January is lying to you. Every year, driven people wreck their momentum before the year even starts. They rush into goals. They overcommit. They confuse anxiety with ambition. Then they burn out by February. In this episode, we break down why January is not for goal setting and why the New Year New You mindset quietly sabotages long term success. Using a personal story from the Marine Corps Marathon, I explain how even disciplined, prepared people fail when they start too fast and why January should be used for recalibration, not acceleration. In this conversation, you will learn: Why most New Year’s resolutions failWhy January feels productive but creates long term dragThe real purpose January should serve in your yearHow to aim before you fire so effort stops being wastedWhy small consistent shifts beat dramatic reinventionHow momentum actually works and why elite performers start slowerWhy systems matter more than motivationWhy vision and goals are not the same thing This episode is for entrepreneurs, leaders, and high performers who are tired of repeating the same cycle every January and want a smarter, calmer way to win the year. If January feels chaotic, this episode will change how you approach the rest of the year. If you want the goal tracking dashboard mentioned in this episode, message me on Instagram or LinkedIn and I will send it to you free. If you are interested in our March leadership retreat in Cabo and want help building clearer vision, stronger systems, and real momentum, visit living.vision/cabo to apply.

High performers don’t struggle with addiction despite their success, many struggle because of it. In this raw, eye-opening conversation, Aaron Velky sits down with addiction and self-leadership expert Craig Perra to unpack why entrepreneurs, executives, creatives, and elite performers are disproportionately vulnerable to addiction, self-sabotage, and destructive coping patterns. This episode isn’t just about drugs or alcohol. It’s about work addiction, porn, fitness extremes, hustle culture, dopamine habits, emotional suppression, and the hidden cost of ambition. You’ll learn: - Why ambition and addiction are deeply correlated - How high performers use success to avoid pain - The real reason discipline alone doesn’t fix bad habits - Why “just stopping” addictive behaviors rarely works - How self-leadership (not willpower) creates lasting change - Why the opposite of addiction isn’t sobriety, it’s connection Craig shares his own journey from executive burnout, addiction, and rock bottom to building a globally recognized framework that helps high performers reclaim control without losing their edge. If you’re successful on the outside but feel conflicted, reactive, or out of alignment on the inside, this conversation will hit home. This episode is for entrepreneurs who want growth without self-destruction. Learn more about Craig’s work: https://mindfulhabitmastery.com

Most people think growth comes from setting more goals. They're wrong. In this episode, we break down a radical but necessary shift for entrepreneurs heading into 2026: it's not about what you plan to do, it's about what you're finally ready to walk away from. You’ll learn: Why saying "yes" is silently draining your futureHow to build your personal “No List” before the new yearThe hidden costs of low-leverage opportunitiesHow visionary leaders delegate without guiltWhy subtraction is the key to scaling Whether you’re a founder, executive, or ambitious professional, this conversation will help you pause, reflect, and redesign your growth strategy for next year. 👉 Want the End-of-Year Reflection Tool? DM "EOY" or "Reflection" to Aaron on Instagram 👉 Interested in the March Cabo retreat? Reach out for early details Stop adding. Start subtracting. Your next level starts with saying no.

If you're a visionary CEO who feels stuck in the day-to-day, overwhelmed by your team, or unsure how to scale, this episode will hit home. Aaron Velky sits down with Erica Seagrave, a seasoned Fractional COO and systems expert, to unpack the biggest mistakes founders make when trying to grow. From accountability to vision alignment to building real operational support, this conversation is packed with tactical insight. What You'll Learn: ✔️ Why most visionaries accidentally become bottlenecks ✔️ How to turn "fluffy" vision into a tactical roadmap ✔️ The 6-step structure Erica uses with scaling CEOs ✔️ How to build systems that don’t kill creativity ✔️ When to hire a COO, and what they really do ✔️ How to develop leaders inside your team About Erica Seagrave Erica is the founder of Seagrave Consultants and a go-to fractional COO for growing businesses. She helps founders get out of the weeds, build better systems, and step fully into their CEO role. Learn more at: https://seagraveconsultants.com

Most entrepreneurs love vision and strategy. Dreaming is fun. Designing the future is exciting. But the moment the conversation shifts to systems, structure, and process, energy drops. Austin Netzley has helped hundreds of entrepreneurs scale from six figures to seven figures by solving this exact problem. In this conversation, we break down why vision must come first, how systems actually unlock creativity, and why founders become the bottleneck without realizing it. We also dive into: Why entrepreneurs get stuck at multi six figures The real reason delegation feels uncomfortable How systems create freedom instead of killing creativity The mindset shift required to scale without burnout Why control is not the same as leadership How to turn vision into execution without losing your edge If you are a founder, creative, or entrepreneur who feels energized by big ideas but resistant to structure, this episode will change how you see systems forever.

What does a green witch, a global fanbase, and a $1.5B Broadway empire have to do with scaling YOUR business? In this episode, we break down 5 powerful business lessons from Wicked's leap from stage to screen, lessons every founder, entrepreneur, and visionary leader should know. From loyal audiences and legacy brands to reinvention, scale, and storytelling, Wicked offers a masterclass in turning niche success into global impact. You'll Learn: Why 70% of visionary ideas FAIL to scale and how Wicked avoided itHow to preserve your core message while reinventing the mediumThe key moves Wicked made to expand without losing its loyal baseThe emotional and strategic cost of real growthWhat YOU must upgrade in your leadership to scale sustainably Whether you're growing a brand, transitioning your business model, or thinking about your own "quantum leap", this is for you. 🔔 Subscribe for more visionary strategy, creative thinking, and behind-the-scenes business breakdowns.

Most entrepreneurs aren’t stuck because of a lack of talent, time, or opportunity. They’re stuck because of a hidden trap that silently delays their most meaningful goals. In this episode, I break down the mindset pattern I call Conditional Avoidance, the habit of telling yourself you need one more condition before you take action. More money. More time. More certainty. More readiness. None of it is real… and it’s holding you back. If you’ve ever said: • “I’ll start when things calm down.” • “I’ll pursue that goal once the business is bigger.” • “I just need to be ready first.” …this conversation is going to hit you hard (in the best way). You’ll learn: ► Why entrepreneurs unconsciously create fake conditions ► How these conditions block progress and kill momentum ► The simple mindset shift that gets you into meaningful motion ► Why there’s only ever ONE step you actually need to take ► How to break the loop and move toward the life you actually want This is the episode that frees you from waiting for the “perfect moment” and gets you back into purposeful action. If this resonates, subscribe to the show! Stop waiting. Start choosing.

Ever wonder how to travel for free while growing your business? Today I'm joined by Eli Facenda aka Eli the Travel Guy, and he breaks down the "freedom flywheel," a concept where strategic use of credit card points earned from paid ads fuels more travel. Learn how effective entrepreneurship and business growth can lead to incredible travel rewards, creating a cycle that motivates further success. Discover how to leverage points and miles to explore the world without breaking the bank! Maybe the trip of your dreams isn't so far out of your reach Follow Eli on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/elitravelguy/

Unlock what it really takes to become the hero your kid looks up to every single day. In this episode, I sit down with Tom Pfanner for a raw, grounded conversation about fatherhood, leadership at home, and what it means to truly show up for your kids. Tom brings hard earned insight on presence, faith, ownership, rebellion, connection, and the painful but powerful moments that shaped his work with dads. We go straight into why kids pull away, how to rebuild trust, and how to lead in a way that empowers your young hero instead of boxing them in. If you are a driven dad trying to balance ambition with presence, this episode hits home. You will walk away with clarity on what is at stake, what your kid actually needs, and how to lead from underneath rather than trying to control from above. Highlights: • What leadership really looks like inside the home • How to build strong connection at any age • Why ownership crushes perfection • How to guide without restricting • Why presence beats time • How fatherhood sharpens entrepreneurship • The shift from control to growth • How to help your kid become the main character in their own story Learn more about Tom Pfanner: Website: dadswholead.com Instagram: @theleadershipdad YouTube: The Leadership Dad Podcast: Dads Who Lead Podcast If you are a dad raising a young hero, this conversation is essential. Jump in, level up, and choose the dad you want to be.

Phil Vella helped grow Cisco’s WebEx division into a $5 billion machine. He had the title, the power, the money. Then he walked away, no team, no plan, no identity. In this raw and uncomfortable conversation, Phil opens up about the dark side of success, the brutal transition into the unknown, and how he rebuilt his life from the ground up. We talk fatherhood, purpose, identity loss, self-destruction, and why men often wait until it's too late to change. If you’re building your empire but feeling disconnected or hollow behind the scenes, this one is going to hit hard. In this episode: The crash after leaving a billion-dollar role Why “the exit” isn’t what you think it is Rebuilding identity without a title Fatherhood, faith, and facing yourself Building a mission-driven company from the ashes This isn’t just about business. It’s about becoming the man you're meant to be. Subscribe for more real conversations with high-level leaders navigating the next chapter of life. Connect with me www.aaronvelky.com

What happens when the future walks right into your living room? In this episode of The Living Vision Show, Aaron and Marty debate the launch of the new Neo robot from 1X, an eerily human looking home assistant that’s sparking equal parts excitement and fear. Is it the next breakthrough in freedom and productivity, or a step too far into a sci-fi nightmare? They dig into the real questions behind the tech: what happens to jobs, how automation changes leadership, and whether delegation through machines pushes us closer to or further from what it means to be human. From economics to ethics to entrepreneurship, this one goes deep. Tune in to explore: The blurred line between innovation and overreachHow robotics will reshape work, home life, and identityWhy automation could force us to redefine what “being human” really means Listen now and decide for yourself: is Neo the future of freedom or the start of something we can’t control?

Are you actually being strategic, or just reacting to stress? In this episode of The Living Vision Show, myself and Marty unpack what most entrepreneurs get wrong about strategy, and how fear, reactivity, and scarcity often masquerade as smart decision-making. If you’ve ever felt stuck, uncertain, or constantly firefighting in your business, this is for you. What you'll learn: - Why “movement” isn’t the same as progress - The 3 hidden states keeping you stuck - How to tell if you’re making decisions from fear - What real strategic thinking looks like, and how to get there Whether you’re leading a startup, scaling a team, or navigating a tough season, this episode will help you think clearly, lead better, and move with purpose.

Are you constantly hitting an invisible wall in your business or personal life? I'll show you the 7 HUGE mistakes emotionally blocked entrepreneurs make. These patterns are often hard to see from the inside. Whether you're burning out, stuck in solo mode, or trapped in "I'll do it myself" thinking, this video reveals how your subconscious beliefs, emotional triggers, and internal blocks might be the real reason you’re not growing. 🔥 You’ll learn: Why emotional walls are harder to break than business problemsHow anger and defensiveness reveal the truth about your mindsetThe hidden cost of trying to grow without helpPractical steps to decode your emotional triggers and move forward This isn’t just about strategy. It’s about inner transformation that sets you free.

Taylor Swift is more than pop culture. She is a living playbook for growth, resilience, and scaling yourself without clones. In this episode, Aaron and Marty break down the “messy middle” that Swift publishes through her albums and tours, and translate it into practical frameworks for founders, creators, and CEOs. From identity shifts to operational scale, from public evolution to repeatable delivery, this is a masterclass in reinvention you can apply to your business today. What you will learn: How to navigate the gap between where you are and where you want to beWhy showing your process can build trust and momentumLessons from touring scale, logistics, and delivering the same product with excellenceUsing doubt as a tool and asking better questions to unlock growthLeadership that evolves in public instead of pretending to have all the answers Chapters: 0:00 Why Taylor Swift models the messy middle 0:41 Dating an NFL star and navigating new arenas 1:13 Internet reaction and the Swifties effect 1:50 Swift as a business case for entrepreneurs 2:08 Reinvention and the gap to your next level 3:30 Headlines vs what leaders should notice 4:54 Composure, hardship, and resiliency 5:19 Publishing the messy middle through albums 7:34 Touring scale and delivering consistency 9:13 Scaling yourself without clones 10:18 Avoiding the weeds and building operators 12:16 Getting good by being bad first 13:03 Not every song is a hit and why that is okay 14:02 Public evolution and protected private life 15:58 Narrative identity and reframing 16:52 Telling the story of where you are going 18:05 Fear, commitment, and getting stuck in the middle 19:31 Beliefs, identity, and freefall 20:13 The self doubt loop founders face 21:35 Programs evolve and so should you 22:39 Doubt as a tool and better questions 23:27 Blank Space and perspective shifts 24:44 Why artists change the world 26:21 Evolving as a leader with your team 27:51 Optics, imperfection, and real leadership 29:12 Getting people from A to B If you found this helpful: Subscribe for weekly conversations on leadership, mindset, and sustainable growth Share this episode with a founder who feels stuck in the middle Comment your biggest takeaway and the next brave step you will take