What if adversity could be the catalyst for your greatest transformation?
In this powerful and honest episode of the Small Victories Podcast, Pauline Victoria sits down with Alan Lazaros—CEO of Next Level University and host of a global top 100 self-improvement podcast—to unpack the often misunderstood difference between self-belief and self-worth, and why both are necessary to live a fulfilled, aligned life.
Alan shares his deeply personal story of loss, trauma, achievement, and awakening—from losing his father at 2 years old, to surviving a near-fatal car accident at 26 that shifted his life’s direction. Through this lens, he teaches us how true transformation starts not with doing more—but by knowing, accepting, and honoring who we truly are.
Key Takeaways:
🎯 Self-belief is your confidence in what you can do. Self-worth is your confidence in who you are. You need both.
🧭 Transformation requires the journey of self-awareness → self-acceptance → self-improvement—in that order.
💡 You don’t rise to the level of your dreams; you fall to the level of your beliefs.
🧱 If you don’t consciously assign goals to yourself, you’ll unconsciously “stumble upon” a life that doesn’t serve you.
⚖️ High achievers often suffer from low self-worth. Achievement alone won’t make you feel worthy.
💥 Adversity is only an advantage if you believe you can turn it into growth. Without belief, it’s just pain.
🚧 Saying yes builds self-belief. Saying no builds self-worth.
🌟 Self-worth is cultivated by honoring your core values and setting boundaries—even if it means disappointing others.
Reflection Questions:
Where in your life are you saying “yes” when your heart is really saying “no”? What boundary is waiting to be honored?
Do you base your worth on what you achieve—or who you are at your core?
Connect with Alan Lazaros: 🎧 Listen to the Next Level University podcast and explore coaching resources at: www.nextleveluniverse.com 📲 Instagram: @alazaros88 📲 Instagram (podcast): @nextleveluniverse
