Carl Bowden made a decision that shocked everyone: after building a successful leadership coaching company for 4.5 years, he walked away to join someone else's team.

But here's the twist—it might be the smartest career move he ever made.

In this raw and revealing conversation, Carl takes us inside the brutal reality of entrepreneurship: the sleepless nights when he couldn't pay rent, the isolation when success felt impossible, and the perfect storm of personal tragedy that forced him to question everything. Then came one networking conversation that changed his entire trajectory.

This isn't your typical "follow your dreams" entrepreneurship story. This is about knowing when to pivot, how to stay true to your mission while changing your path, and why sometimes the most courageous thing you can do is admit you need help.

Carl reveals the counterintuitive leadership wisdom he's learned: why vulnerability is your secret weapon, how a CEO managing 8,000 employees does it with two words, and why the best leaders know when to let go of control.

Episode Highlights:

• The John Maxwell book that rewired his brain (and why he read it 5 times)
• How outdoor leadership retreats became his unexpected niche
• The honest moment that launched his business: "I'm scared"
• Why 40+ years of research proves honesty trumps charisma in leadership
• The networking conversation at a mergers & acquisitions happy hour that led to his dream job