Ep 61: How I used Fear to become a CPA and Leave my 9 5

I’m showing up raw and real in this episode—white tee, unfiltered, and straight from the heart. I take you behind the scenes of my journey from fear-filled moments to life-altering breakthroughs. From failing multiple CPA exams to quitting a secure job at Deloitte, from launching Budget Dog to facing my daughter’s rare medical condition—every leap was powered by fear. But not the kind that paralyzes; the kind that fuels you when there’s no other choice but to rise.

In this episode, I share how fear can either break you or build you. I recount how I used fear to pass the CPA exams against the odds, walk away from my 9-to-5, support my family through unimaginable challenges, and ultimately find our dream home after losing almost everything. This is the rawest, most powerful episode I’ve ever recorded—and I hope it lights a fire in you to lean into your own fears.

Timeline Summary

[0:00] Why I ditched the polished look for this episode and decided to go raw and real

[2:09] The pivotal moment that shifted my mindset after college

[4:11] My intense CPA study grind and early failures that nearly broke me

[6:13] The public humiliation that sparked a turning point

[11:04] The moment I finally passed the CPA exams—and what it taught me about fear

[13:30] How I transitioned from Deloitte to full-time entrepreneurship with Budget Dog

[16:12] The conversation that led me to leave my 9-5 earlier than planned

[18:05] Welcoming my daughter Logan and the life-changing diagnosis we faced

[23:08] Retiring my wife and relocating to Texas for Logan’s care

[28:22] Discovering mold and mycotoxins—and losing nearly everything

[33:55] Facing homelessness, uncertainty, and massive financial losses

[37:13] The moment we found our safe home and a new beginning

[40:59] Why fear has become my greatest motivator

Quotables “Fear isn’t something to run from—it’s a signpost pointing to your next breakthrough.” “Public failure hurt, but it also lit a fire that nothing else could.” “Just because I’m financially free doesn’t mean I’m not human—I still feel fear, but I’ve learned to use it.” “What most people see as setbacks, I see as setups for something greater.” “When life gave us fear, we didn’t back down—we leveled up.”

Links & Resources

• https://bookwithbudgetdog.com/ped

• National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA)

• Functional Neurologist & Health Journey Insights (referenced in Logan’s story)

If this episode moved you, I’d love for you to leave a review, follow the podcast, and share it with someone who needs to hear this. Thanks for tuning in—and remember, fear might just be the sign that you’re on the brink of greatness.