From Crash to a Calling with Alan Lazaros

“Personal responsibility is where all good things start.”

In this episode, Michael Dargie connects with Alan Lazaros, co-host of Next Level University, a podcast with over 1,900 episodes dedicated to helping people grow 1% every day. Alan shares his journey from achievement-obsessed engineering grad to purpose-driven coach, sparked by a near-fatal car crash at age 26.

This episode is sponsored by my new book BRANDJITSU, helping you find, shape, and share your story with the world.

That moment forced Alan to face mortality and triggered a radical shift: from external success to internal alignment. He began pursuing self-mastery, and built a career around helping others do the same. Alan talks about what it really means to design a life you don’t need a vacation from, how personal responsibility is the key to freedom, and why most people are playing not to lose instead of playing to win.

He gets candid about childhood trauma, drinking to fit in, and the fear of being different. Today, Alan’s all-in on designing optimal days, running a podcast network, and building a life with intention, discipline, and love—plus two cats, a dog, and a projector-fueled Star Wars movie marathon setup.

This one’s for rebels who feel like they don’t fit in, and know they’re meant for more.

Quotable Quotes

“Personal responsibility is where all good things start.”

“You don’t need a vacation from a life you love.”

“There’s an expiration date on blaming other people for your stuff.”

“At least if I’m going to be disliked now, it’s for being who I really am.”

“Alan 3.6 is way more capable than Alan 1.6.”

Episode Highlights

Next Level University | 1,900 episodes and counting

The Car Crash | A wake-up call at 26

Self-Mastery | Turning discipline inward

Daily Design | His 3-part day model

Life Alignment | Doing the work every day

Guilty Pleasures | Star Wars, Swedish fish, and surround sound

Rebel Movies | Lion King and Good Will Hunting

Advice to Rebels | Don’t play to not lose

Favorite Place | Home in New England forests

What He Wishes People Knew | You control more than you think

LINKS FROM EPISODE

Next Level University Website (nextleveluniverse.com)

Alan’s LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/alanlazarosllc)

Alan’s Facebook (facebook.com/alan.lazaros)

Alan’s Instagram (instagram.com/alazaros88)

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