Two days ago, I sent you one of the most important newsletters I’ve ever written:
​“Everyone Wants Freedom. Very Few Understand the Cost.”

In it, I broke down the two essential switches—intensity and consistency—and what it actually takes to earn a life of time freedom, wealth, and autonomy.

We talked about the hustle season. The push. The climb.
And the brutal truth that you don’t get to start at the finish line.

But today, I want to zoom out...
I want to talk about something even more important than your business:

Why you’re building all this in the first place.

Because there’s a danger I’ve seen far too often…

You earned the money… but lost your marriage.
You bought the beach house… but your kids don’t talk to you.
You posted the wins… but feel more hollow than ever.

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This week I interviewed Scott Donnell on my podcast - who's worked with over 10 million kids and families teaching entrepreneurs how to build healthy marriages and healthy kids that can bare the burdens of wealth.

That shook me.

So today’s newsletter is a companion to the last one—
But it’s from a different lens.

The first was about building freedom.
​This one is about not losing your family while you do it.

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Before we dive in here -

Let's call a spade a spade - why is this 30 year old single guy writing about / talking about this shit?

This is being written from my perspective of being raised by a single mother essentially my entire life.

My Dad (who was "technically" around until they got divorced at 13 years old) was an air traffic controller pre-union where he worked 6 days a week, 10-12 hours per day with a 90 minute commute.

Every day he was gone before I was up for school, and would come home around 6PM and immediately retreat into the garage to work on his cars.

We weren't "allowed" to talk to Dad during this time so he could "unwind".

So imagine actually HAVING a Dad there, but never spending a minute of time with him, or really ever even seeing him - at all.

By the time I was in middle school I had missed out on sports as a kid because Dad never taught me.

I had to teach myself how to throw a football and baseball in MIDDLE SCHOOL.

I had to teach myself how to shave.

I had to teach myself how to change a tire in high school - while my father had 4 cars he always tinkered with in the garage.

So the reason I invest and the reason I founded Action Academy is for this.

To talk about these topics so millions of you (and me) can become rich in money AND family.

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And to further drive the point home of the topics I'm about to talk about -

I am still actively working on all of them.

I just saw my Dad in Scottsdale for first time in about ten years, and had a grown man conversation with him.

I had rented a Ferrari 488 Spider for the week and took him for a ride.

We are about to talk about the difference between "Dark Fuel" and "Light Fuel" and this ramble serves as a real world example of me realllllllly wanting to take the angle of:

"Fuck you Dad, I can afford to buy a Ferrari in cash - even without you".

But that's dark energy.

Instead - I took him for a ride.

I have no space to hate in my heart.

Hatred / Resentment / Anger is a posion that you drink, hoping that the other person dies.

There is no story I can share that better proves the point that I actively implement everything I talk about, than this.

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So now - Let’s dive in......

Let's prevent you and your family from going through what I went through.

🏰 The Castle No One Wants to Live In

You’re up at 1 AM.
Calls, emails, Slack, another late dinner eaten cold.

You’re drained… but weirdly proud.

But have you asked them if they want this?

Have you asked your spouse if they’d trade the bigger house for your presence?

Have you asked your kids if they’d rather have a trip to Disney… or just one tech-free Saturday with you?

Most entrepreneurs build a life that looks good on Instagram…
While quietly drifting from the people they claim they’re doing it all for.

The Lie We Tell Ourselves: “I’m Providing”

This one stings.

Because it sounds noble.

But often? It’s just a disguise.

Scott calls it “burning dark fuel.”

And here's what happens:

You make the money… but you stay anxious.
You buy the house… but you don’t feel safe.
You hit the goal… and raise it instantly.

Because the goalpost isn’t external.
It’s internal. And until you address that wound—you’ll burn out chasing worth in all the wrong places.

Childlike > Childish

Scott reframed this in the simplest, most powerful way:

Childish: Ego. Scarcity. Control. Shame.
​Childlike: Wonder. Joy. Peace. Play. Trust.

When you look at your kids… you see the model.

They don’t overthink. They imagine. They explore. They forgive quickly.
They’re present.

We don’t outgrow this.
We just forget.

You started this journey to become free.
​Don’t lose the ability to feel free once you are.

The New Metrics of Real Success

Scott told me something I’ll never forget:

Let’s redefine success for a minute.

Your business is not your legacy.

Your marriage is.
Your kids are.
Your peace is.

Here are the new KPIs:

• Can your spouse say, “I feel seen and prioritized”?
• Do your kids know your attention is more accessible than your email inbox?
• Does your home feel like a refuge—or a layover between work sprints?

If not - no deal, exit, or income stream is worth the trade.

✅ So What Do We Do?

Let’s stay tactical. You know I’m not here just to inspire—I’m here to equip.

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Here’s how you build real freedom that your family wants to share with you:

1. Audit Your Fuel

Ask: Am I building to prove something? Or to serve someone?

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2. Lead With Heritage, Not Just Inheritance

Teach them how to create value.
Build confidence through responsibility.
Swap chores for “brain gigs.” Invite them into your world.

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3. Be the Partner You’d Want to Marry Again

Don't make your kids an idol.

Your spouse comes first - because it mirrors to your kids what quality relationships actually look like.

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4. Spend Twice the Time - Half The Money

Your kids don't need to be with you on a yacht
They just want to be with you. To be seen. To feel present.

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5. "Allowance" is a swear word

Scott had his seven year old own the trip planning for the family Europe trip.

She learned how to use AI, book flights, book hotels vs AIRBNBS - and pulled it off beautifully.

💬 Final Word

Two days ago, I told you to flip the first switch—intensity.​
To sprint. To push. To climb.

But today?

I’m reminding you where that road should lead:

To peace.
To presence.
To family.
To love.

Because if you wake up one day with an empire… and no one to share it with?

That’s not freedom.
That’s failure in a nicer suit.

You can build it all without losing it all.

Let’s build it right.

Click this button below to listen to the full episode with Scott Donnell.

It would mean the world to me if you helped me share it (and subscribed to the show) for us to share this message.

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