In this episode of The Atomic Business Coaching Podcast, hosts Tom Marino and Adam Hurd dive deep into the real conversations that inspire growth, creativity, and purpose in business and life.

What starts as a light chat about music evolves into a powerful dialogue about emotional connection, self-awareness, and the transformative journey of entrepreneurship. They explore the idea of The Lonely Chapter—a concept introduced by Chris Williamson and Alex Hormozi—that moment between who you were and who you’re becoming.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, creative, or leader, this episode will resonate if you’ve ever felt stuck between chapters, searching for meaning, rhythm, and connection.

⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 – When the best podcasts aren’t even recorded

01:00 – Why authentic conversations matter more than “value” content

02:15 – How music shapes emotion, focus, and creativity

05:30 – The emotional frequency of music and why it’s spiritual

06:45 – “Motion creates emotion” — using music for performance

08:00 – Comfort vs. focus: why some people need background noise

10:30 – The numbing effect of distraction vs. mindful listening

12:00 – From mixtapes to Spotify: how we discover new music today

15:00 – AI and the future of music (and business creation)

18:00 – The low barrier to entrepreneurship and the rise of digital creators

20:00 – The “Lonely Chapter” explained — and why it’s necessary for growth

22:00 – The “Liminal Moment” — being between who you were and who you’re becoming

23:30 – The difference between being lonely and being alone

25:00 – Finding connection again — and embracing your evolution

🎧 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• Why authenticity always wins over polish in podcasting and business
• How to use music as a mindset tool to get into your zone of genius
• The psychological connection between music, focus, and emotion
• Why entrepreneurship feels lonely—and how to embrace it as growth
• How AI, accessibility, and creativity are changing modern business
• The difference between being alone vs. being lonely, and why it matters
• What it means to live through your liminal moment and lonely chapter

🔥 Power Quotes

“Sometimes the best podcasts aren’t lessons—they’re just people talking about interesting sh*t.” – Adam Hurd

“Music connects to the soul on a different frequency. It can literally shift how you feel about yourself or a situation.” – Tom Marino

“The lonely chapter means you’ve outgrown who you were, but you’re not yet who you’re becoming.” – Adam Hurd

🎵 Artists & Mentions

• Artists: Des Rocs, Coulter Wall, Charles Wesley Godwin, Ed Sheeran, John Mayer, Oliver Anthony
• Concepts: The Lonely Chapter, Liminal Moments, Motion Creates Emotion
• References: Modern Wisdom (Chris Williamson), Joe Rogan Experience, Acquisition.com (Alex Hormozi), Dana...

In this episode of the Be The CEO Podcast, hosts Tom Marino and Adam Hurd dive into two powerful ideas shaping business and mindset today:

1. Loving the process more than the destination
2. Why confidence is a decision backed by action

Drawing inspiration from Alex Hormozi’s philosophy and a thought-provoking post by Yousef L. Alame, Tom and Adam break down how business owners can simplify success, stay present, and overcome the paralysis of overthinking.

Key Takeaways

1. The Work Is the Goal

Inspired by Alex Hormozi’s quote:

“The man who walks because he loves walking will walk further than the man who loves the destination.”

Success isn’t about chasing an endpoint; it’s about loving the process.

When you focus on doing the work, the byproducts such as money, success, and freedom naturally follow.

Tom and Adam share personal insights on how business owners often create anxiety by obsessing over outcomes instead of breaking work into manageable steps.

2. The Destination Isn’t the Purpose

Reaching a goal can sometimes feel empty if you’ve tied all your purpose to it.

The key is realizing you’re not just climbing a single mountain; you’re a mountain climber.

True satisfaction comes from continuous growth and embracing the journey itself.

3. Thinkers vs. Doers

Based on Yousef L. Alame’s post: “Confidence isn’t a feeling, it’s a decision you back with action.”

Overthinking breeds doubt, while action builds evidence and confidence.

Adam and Tom discuss how thinking without doing turns people into statues: stuck, unmoving, and paralyzed by fear.

The cure for overthinking is one small action. Motion destroys doubt.

4. Real Coaching Insights

The hosts share a behind-the-scenes story of how taking one imperfect action reignited progress on a stalled course project.

They also discuss real client examples showing that massive action equals momentum, while inaction keeps you stuck.

The biggest lesson: Overthinkers are simply under-doers.

Favorite Quotes

“The work is the goal.”–Adam Hurd

“Confidence is a decision you back with action.”–Yousef L. Alame

“The destination represents the end of purpose. Doing the work gives you certainty.”–Tom Marino

“Overthinkers are simply under-doers.” –Adam Hurd

Next Move Session

Feeling stuck or unsure of your next move?

Book a Next Move Session with Tom and Adam at bethe.ceo

For only $97, you’ll get 45 minutes of expert coaching valued at $10,000 in insight.

Whether you build, install, clean, film, write, or produce, this is your chance to gain clarity and create momentum.

Tune In For

• Real talk about entrepreneurship mindset
• Practical ways to shift from anxiety to action
• Proven principles from The Atomic Game Changer
• How to simplify success and fall in love with the process

Connect with Atomic Business Coaching

• Website: bethe.ceo
• Book: The Atomic Game Changer
• Podcast: Be The CEO Podcast /Atomic Business Coaching Podcast
• Instagram & LinkedIn: @atomicbusinesscoaching
• LinkedIn:

In this insightful episode of Be the CEO, hosts Adam Hurd and Tom Marino dive deep into what it really means to “be the CEO” — not as a title, but as a mindset. They redefine CEO as Commitment, Effort, and Obsession, exploring how these three traits are essential for leading both your life and your business with purpose and passion.

Key Topics Covered

The True Meaning of CEO

Adam and Tom clarify what Be the CEO stands for:

• Commitment: Going all in on your goals.
• Effort: Consistently taking the actions required for success.
• Obsession: Caring so deeply about what you do that quitting isn’t an option.

They emphasize that leadership starts with being obsessed enough to stay committed, even when things get tough.

📈 The Power of Commitment: Lessons from MrBeast

The hosts discuss the journey of Jimmy Donaldson (MrBeast), who predicted his YouTube growth 10 years ago — and surpassed it beyond belief, growing from 8,000 subscribers to over 444 million.

Adam uses MrBeast’s story to highlight the difference between being interested in success and being committed to it.

“When you eliminate all other options, you eliminate the ability to fail.”

🧠 Interest vs. Commitment

Adam and Tom explore why so many people stay “interested” instead of “committed.”

• Interest fades when things get hard.
• Commitment pushes you through uncertainty and failure.
• Tom adds that wisdom comes from learning what not to do — often the most valuable lessons come from mistakes.

🚫 Breaking Through Limiting Beliefs

Tom introduces a powerful post that inspires reflection:

“Don’t limit your challenges — challenge your limits.”

They discuss how limiting beliefs can make people feel stuck, even when they’re actually just entering a new level of growth.

Tom shares how external voices once told him he couldn’t succeed — and how challenging those beliefs became the foundation of his success.

🔍 Learning, Growth & Self-Disruption

Adam and Tom connect the dots between learning and growth:

• Learning is the antidote to uncertainty.
• Challenging beliefs is how you evolve.
• “It’s better to have self-disruption than self-destruction.”

Adam emphasizes that by intentionally challenging yourself, you prevent sabotaging behaviors that hold you back.

❤️ No Limiting Beliefs?

Adam reveals something surprising — he’s never had limiting beliefs. He shares how optimism, curiosity, and problem-solving have guided his success.

Tom reflects on how different upbringings shape beliefs, and how exposure to the real world challenges the beliefs we inherit. Together, they explore how awareness and reflection turn limitations into learning opportunities.

💬 Final Takeaway

Tom and Adam remind listeners:

“You’re not stuck. You’re just entering a new phase of life or business that you haven’t experienced yet.”

Being the CEO of your life means constantly evolving — through commitment, effort, and obsession — and challenging every belief that stands in your way.

Resources &...