The Pursuit of Progress Podcast

What can a 61-year-old potato farmer teach us about success?A lot more than you might think.In 1983, Cliff Young showed up to compete in a grueling 544-mile ultramarathon from Sydney to Melbourne. He didn't look like an elite runner. He didn't run like one either.He shuffled.Yet five days later, Cliff crossed the finish line ahead of the competition.In Season 3, Episode 34 of The Pursuit of Progress, Adam Lang and Benjamin Adams unpack the incredible story of Cliff Young—and the lessons it can teach us about business, money, personal growth, and staying in the race when everyone else seems to be moving faster.We talk about:• Why looking less qualified doesn't mean you don't belong• How your perceived weakness can become an advantage• Why consistency can beat short bursts of intensity• The danger of assuming there's only one "right" way to succeed• Why comparing your progress to someone else's can make you quit too early• The incredible power of simply refusing to stopYou don't need to be the fastest.You don't need to have everything figured out.Sometimes you just need to keep shuffling.🎙 The Pursuit of Progress — Season 3, Episode 34

“Ships don’t sink because of the water around them. They sink because of the water that gets inside them.”That idea from Ed Mylett is the starting point for this episode of The Pursuit of Progress.Because there will always be “water” around us.Criticism. Rejection. Failure. Stress. Comparison. Other people’s opinions. Somebody doubting you. A business idea that doesn’t work. A relationship that struggles.The question is: How much of it are you letting inside?In this episode, Adam and Ben dig into self-talk, self-belief, and what it actually takes to build real confidence.We talk about:• How other people’s voices can slowly become our own• Why negative self-talk can turn temporary setbacks into permanent identities• The difference between “I failed” and “I’m a failure”• Why confidence is built by keeping promises to yourself• The idea of a “confidence bank account”• How small actions can rebuild trust in yourselfIt’s being able to say:“Even if I fail, I’ll be okay. I’ll learn. I’ll adjust. And I’ll keep going.”There will always be water around the ship.The goal is to stop letting it inside.🎙️ The Pursuit of Progress — Season 3, Episode 32

What happens when you've built a life that looks successful on the outside…but something still doesn't feel right on the inside?In Season 3, Episode 30 of The Pursuit of Progress, Adam sits down with longtime friend Chris Palasz, founder of Peak State, for a conversation about success, identity, relationships, purpose, and learning how to become the author of your own life.Adam and Chris first met years ago while they were both living in Aspen, Colorado. Since then, Chris has built a coaching practice focused on helping high-performing professionals around the world, who have achieved many of the things they thought they wanted—but still feel like something is missing.Chris believes the answer isn't another productivity hack, a bigger goal, or simply working harder. It's developing what he calls “internal authority”—learning to trust yourself, understand what you actually want, and stop allowing outside expectations to write your story for you.In this episode, Adam and Chris dive into:• Why external success doesn't always create internal fulfillment• How expectations from family, society, and other people can quietly shape our lives• What “internal authority” means—and why it matters• The connection between identity, relationships, and personal growth• Why high performers can struggle even when everything looks great on paper• How to reconnect with what YOU actually want• What it means to become the author of your own story• Practical ways to start building a life that feels as good as it looksIf you've ever checked the boxes, achieved the goals, and still wondered, “Is this really the life I want?”—this conversation is for you.🎙️ Connect with Chris Palasz & Peak StateEmail: [email protected]: www.peakstate.coachInstagram: @Chris_Palasz🎧 The Pursuit of Progress PodcastReal conversations about personal growth, business, relationships, mindset, and becoming a better version of yourself—one step at a time.If this episode resonates with you, share it with someone who might need to hear it, and make sure to follow The Pursuit of Progress so you don't miss the next episode.

Success isn't just about working harder or learning more—it's about surrounding yourself with the right people.In this episode of The Pursuit of Progress, I share the five types of people that have had the biggest impact on my own growth in business, real estate, investing, and life. From mentors who shorten the learning curve to coaches who hold you accountable, peers who push you forward, people you can teach, and those rare individuals who love you enough to tell you the truth—each plays a unique role in helping you become the best version of yourself.You'll learn why no single person can fill every role, how to identify what's missing in your own circle, and practical ways to build relationships that accelerate your personal and professional growth.In this episode you'll learn:Why relationships matter more than informationThe difference between a mentor and a coachWhy high performers intentionally build their inner circleHow teaching others accelerates your own growthWhy honest feedback is one of the greatest gifts you can receiveA simple exercise to identify who's shaping your futureThe next breakthrough in your life may not come from another book, podcast, or course—it may come from one conversation with the right person.