In today’s powerful episode of Next Level University, hosts Kevin Palmieri and Alan Lazaros expose the raw truth about effort, expectations, and the lie most people tell themselves about wanting “more.” They break down why chasing level-10 results with level-5 effort will always leave you frustrated, and how being brutally honest about your goals can change everything. This isn’t about balance, it’s about alignment, ownership, and the courage to live by your own scale. Keep leveling up, press play, and own your scale.

Learn more about:
👥 Grow together, rise higher. Join our Facebook community “Next Level Nation” - https://www.facebook.com/groups/459320958216700

📚 Think deeper, grow faster. Join our “Next Level Book Club” – Every Saturday –
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMkcuiupjIqE9QlkptiKDQykRtKyFB5Jbhc

_____________________

NLU is not just a podcast; it’s a gateway to a wealth of resources designed to help you achieve your goals and dreams. From our Next Level Dreamliner to our Group Coaching, we offer a variety of tools and communities to support your personal development journey.

For more information, check out our website and socials using the links below. 👇

Website 💻 http://www.nextleveluniverse.com

Instagram 📷
Kevin: https://www.instagram.com/neverquitkid/
Alan: https://www.instagram.com/alazaros88/

Facebook ✍
Alan: https://www.facebook.com/alan.lazaros
Kevin: https://www.facebook.com/kevin.palmieri.90/

Email 💬
Kevin@nextleveluniverse.com
Alan@nextleveluniverse.com

LinkedIn ✍
Kevin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-palmieri-5b7736160/
Alan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanlazarosllc/

_______________________

Show notes:
(2:35) Balancing effort, goals, and outcomes
(4:50) Goal-oriented Vs. Relationship-oriented lives
(8:05) When mismatched priorities break relationships
(13:00) Why honesty matters more than balance
(17:00) The freedom of knowing your scale
(21:00) Delayed gratification and redefining “all in”
(23:48) Outro

Send a text to Kevin and Alan!

🎙️ Hosted by Kevin Palmieri and Alan Lazaros

Next Level University is a top-ranked daily podcast for dream chasers and self-improvement lovers. With over 2,100 episodes, we help you level up in life, love, health, and wealth one day at a time. Subscribe for real, honest, no-fluff growth every single day.

Success fades when comfort becomes the goal. In this episode, Kevin and Alan expose the hidden trap that keeps most people from ever hitting their goals. They break down why success isn’t about working harder. It’s about the order of your priorities, the habits you build, and the standards you live by. If you’ve ever felt frustrated by slow progress or distracted by comfort, this episode will hit home. Success favors the focused. Listen now and prove you’re built for more.

Learn more about:
👥 Grow together, rise higher. Join our Facebook community “Next Level Nation” - https://www.facebook.com/groups/459320958216700

🎁 Your first 30-minute "Business Breakthrough Session" call with Alan is FREE. Designed to help you reverse-engineer success with clarity and confidence - https://calendly.com/alanlazaros/30-minute-breakthrough-session

_____________________

NLU is not just a podcast; it’s a gateway to a wealth of resources designed to help you achieve your goals and dreams. From our Next Level Dreamliner to our Group Coaching, we offer a variety of tools and communities to support your personal development journey.

For more information, check out our website and socials using the links below. 👇

Website 💻 http://www.nextleveluniverse.com

Instagram 📷
Kevin: https://www.instagram.com/neverquitkid/
Alan: https://www.instagram.com/alazaros88/

Facebook ✍
Alan: https://www.facebook.com/alan.lazaros
Kevin: https://www.facebook.com/kevin.palmieri.90/

Email 💬
Kevin@nextleveluniverse.com
Alan@nextleveluniverse.com

LinkedIn ✍
Kevin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-palmieri-5b7736160/
Alan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanlazarosllc/

_____________________

Show notes:
(3:40) 97% don’t achieve clear goals
(6:19) Goal orientation Vs. Lifestyle orientation
(8:29) Travel reveals hidden habits
(11:19) The real reason you haven’t achieved your goals
(12:23) The short-term trap of comfort
(13:25) Outro

Send a text to Kevin and Alan!

🎙️ Hosted by Kevin Palmieri and Alan Lazaros

Next Level University is a top-ranked daily podcast for dream chasers and self-improvement lovers. With over 2,100 episodes, we help you level up in life, love, health, and wealth one day at a time. Subscribe for real, honest, no-fluff growth every single day.

Can tough love actually help you grow, or does it just hurt? In today’s episode, Kevin and Alan get real about the balance between compassion and accountability. They break down when hard feedback helps you rise and when it crosses the line into shame. From real coaching moments to personal stories on friendship, fitness, and feedback, they reveal how self-talk and tough conversations can shape your confidence, performance, and resilience. If you’ve ever struggled with being too soft or too harsh on yourself or others, this conversation will show you the mindset shift that leads to real growth. Press play and find out how tough love can transform your life.

Learn more about:
🎙️ If you want to start, grow, scale, or monetize your podcast? Join our “Next Level Podcast Accelerator” – Round 20 – Starting October 7th. Use promocode: NLULISTENER, for 30% off - https://www.nextleveluniverse.com/group-coaching/

_____________________

NLU is not just a podcast; it’s a gateway to a wealth of resources designed to help you achieve your goals and dreams. From our Next Level Dreamliner to our Group Coaching, we offer a variety of tools and communities to support your personal development journey.

For more information, check out our website and socials using the links below. 👇

Website 💻 http://www.nextleveluniverse.com

Instagram 📷
Kevin: https://www.instagram.com/neverquitkid/
Alan: https://www.instagram.com/alazaros88/

Facebook ✍
Alan: https://www.facebook.com/alan.lazaros
Kevin: https://www.facebook.com/kevin.palmieri.90/

Email 💬
Kevin@nextleveluniverse.com
Alan@nextleveluniverse.com

LinkedIn ✍
Kevin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-palmieri-5b7736160/
Alan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanlazarosllc/

_______________________

Show notes:
(2:19) Feedback vs. shame-based criticism
(7:03) How childhood shapes your view of tough love
(10:13) High standards, real feedback, and results
(12:06) When to give yourself tough love
(13:29) Using ego and drive as fuel
(15:40) The warrior within
(17:33) Outro

Send a text to Kevin and Alan!

🎙️ Hosted by Kevin Palmieri and Alan Lazaros

Next Level University is a top-ranked daily podcast for dream chasers and self-improvement lovers. With over 2,100 episodes, we help you level up in life, love, health, and wealth one day at a time. Subscribe for real, honest, no-fluff growth every single day.

In this powerful episode of Next Level University, hosts Kevin Palmieri and Alan Lazaros break down the hidden cost of fear, control, and comfort. From rebranding struggles to personal battles with relationships and identity, they reveal why the very things you cling to can quietly sabotage your next level. This isn’t about playing it safe, it’s about making the bold moves that separate staying stuck from stepping into real success. If you’re ready to stop playing not to lose and finally play to win, this is the spark you need.

Learn more about:
🎙️ If you want to start, grow, scale, or monetize your podcast? Join our “Next Level Podcast Accelerator” – Round 20 – Starting October 7th. Use promocode: NLULISTENER, for 30% off - https://www.nextleveluniverse.com/group-coaching/

🎁 Your first 30-minute "Business Breakthrough Session" call with Alan is FREE. Designed to help you reverse-engineer success with clarity and confidence - https://calendly.com/alanlazaros/30-minute-breakthrough-session

📚 Think deeper, grow faster. Join our “Next Level Book Club” – Every Saturday –
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMkcuiupjIqE9QlkptiKDQykRtKyFB5Jbhc

_____________________

NLU is not just a podcast; it’s a gateway to a wealth of resources designed to help you achieve your goals and dreams. From our Next Level Dreamliner to our Group Coaching, we offer a variety of tools and communities to support your personal development journey.

For more information, check out our website and socials using the links below. 👇

Website 💻 http://www.nextleveluniverse.com

Instagram 📷
Kevin: https://www.instagram.com/neverquitkid/
Alan: https://www.instagram.com/alazaros88/

Facebook ✍
Alan: https://www.facebook.com/alan.lazaros
Kevin: https://www.facebook.com/kevin.palmieri.90/

Email 💬
Kevin@nextleveluniverse.com
Alan@nextleveluniverse.com

LinkedIn ✍
Kevin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-palmieri-5b7736160/
Alan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanlazarosllc/

_______________________

Show notes:
(2:12) The challenge of evolving your identity
(4:46) Rebranding, risk, and losing listeners
(7:03) Relationships, abandonment, and fear of letting go
(12:40) Why true growth requires change
(14:20) Playing to win versus playing not to lose
(16:45) Outro

Send a text to Kevin and Alan!

🎙️ Hosted by Kevin Palmieri and Alan Lazaros

Next Level University is a top-ranked daily podcast for dream chasers and self-improvement lovers. With over 2,100 episodes, we help you level up in life, love, health, and wealth one day at a time. Subscribe for real, honest, no-fluff growth every single day.

Beyond busyness lies the power of true performance. In today’s candid debate, Kevin and Alan face off on what really separates high performance from high productivity. Packed with bold truths, hilarious analogies, and game-changing insights, this conversation challenges how you measure progress and success. If you’ve been grinding hard but still feel stuck, this is the wake-up call you’ve been waiting for. Listen now and discover the shift that turns effort into unstoppable results.

Learn more about:
🎙️ If you want to start, grow, scale, or monetize your podcast? Join our “Next Level Podcast Accelerator” – Round 20 – Starting October 7th. Use promocode: NLULISTENER, for 30% off - https://www.nextleveluniverse.com/group-coaching/

_____________________

NLU is not just a podcast; it’s a gateway to a wealth of resources designed to help you achieve your goals and dreams. From our Next Level Dreamliner to our Group Coaching, we offer a variety of tools and communities to support your personal development journey.

For more information, check out our website and socials using the links below. 👇

Website 💻 http://www.nextleveluniverse.com

Instagram 📷
Kevin: https://www.instagram.com/neverquitkid/
Alan: https://www.instagram.com/alazaros88/

Facebook ✍
Alan: https://www.facebook.com/alan.lazaros
Kevin: https://www.facebook.com/kevin.palmieri.90/

Email 💬
Kevin@nextleveluniverse.com
Alan@nextleveluniverse.com

LinkedIn ✍
Kevin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-palmieri-5b7736160/
Alan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanlazarosllc/

_______________________

Show notes:
(1:28) Checking boxes Vs. Creating results
(3:19) Apple and asparagus farm analogy
(6:10) Why distinctions and labels matter
(11:56) Skills and subskills that drive success
(14:19) Defining high performance in your own space
(16:34) Outro

Send a text to Kevin and Alan!

🎙️ Hosted by Kevin Palmieri and Alan Lazaros

Next Level University is a top-ranked daily podcast for dream chasers and self-improvement lovers. With over 2,100 episodes, we help you level up in life, love, health, and wealth one day at a time. Subscribe for real, honest, no-fluff growth every single day.

Why do some people keep winning while others stay stuck? In this high-energy episode, Kevin and Alan pull back the curtain on a perspective that flips the usual advice upside down. With raw honesty, real stories, and bold predictions, they break down what actually drives success in business, love, health, and life. This isn’t about trying harder, it’s about seeing what most people miss. If you’re ready for clarity, motivation, and the push you’ve been waiting for, press play and find out what’s coming that no one talks about.

Learn more about:
🎁 Your first 30-minute "Business Breakthrough Session" call with Alan is FREE. Designed to help you reverse-engineer success with clarity and confidence - https://calendly.com/alanlazaros/30-minute-breakthrough-session

🎙️ If you want to start, grow, scale, or monetize your podcast? Join our “Next Level Podcast Accelerator” – Round 20 – Starting October 7th. Use promocode: NLULISTENER, for 30% off - https://www.nextleveluniverse.com/group-coaching/

📚 Think deeper, grow faster. Join our “Next Level Book Club” – Every Saturday –
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMkcuiupjIqE9QlkptiKDQykRtKyFB5Jbhc

📅 Next Level University Monthly Meetup #46: “The Exact Step By Step Process to Create Your Own System of Success” - https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/f0lzaxieRhKXqMFxmwIfZA#/registration

_____________________

NLU is not just a podcast; it’s a gateway to a wealth of resources designed to help you achieve your goals and dreams. From our Next Level Dreamliner to our Group Coaching, we offer a variety of tools and communities to support your personal development journey.

For more information, check out our website and socials using the links below. 👇

Website 💻 http://www.nextleveluniverse.com

Instagram 📷
Kevin: https://www.instagram.com/neverquitkid/
Alan: https://www.instagram.com/alazaros88/

Facebook ✍
Alan: https://www.facebook.com/alan.lazaros
Kevin: https://www.facebook.com/kevin.palmieri.90/

Email 💬
Kevin@nextleveluniverse.com
Alan@nextleveluniverse.com

LinkedIn ✍
Kevin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-palmieri-5b7736160/
Alan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanlazarosllc/

_______________________

Show notes:
(2:17) Proactivity as the ultimate skill
(4:10) Life as a video game metaphor
(12:01) Avoiding pile-ups with preparation
(14:19) Zooming out and future awareness
(17:39) Why jobs and skills will be replaced
(19:08) The power of a 10-year roadmap
(23:52) Outro

Send a text to Kevin and Alan!

🎙️ Hosted by Kevin Palmieri and Alan Lazaros

Next Level University is a top-ranked daily podcast for dream chasers and self-improvement lovers. With over 2,100 episodes, we help you level up in life, love, health, and wealth one day at a time. Subscribe for real, honest, no-fluff growth every single day.

In this episode of Next Level University, hosts Kevin Palmieri and Alan Lazaros reveal the hidden truth behind success, the responsibility no one talks about. From business growth to personal discipline, they share real stories that show why every new level of freedom demands more effort, structure, and sacrifice than you expect. If you’ve ever wondered what it truly takes to build a life you love without losing the freedom you’re chasing, this conversation will give you the clarity you need. Press play and find out what freedom really costs.

Learn more about:
🎙️ If you want to start, grow, scale, or monetize your podcast? Join our “Next Level Podcast Accelerator” – Round 20 – Starting October 7th. Use promocode: NLULISTENER, for 30% off - https://www.nextleveluniverse.com/group-coaching/

🎁 Your first 30-minute "Business Breakthrough Session" call with Alan is FREE. Designed to help you reverse-engineer success with clarity and confidence - https://calendly.com/alanlazaros/30-minute-breakthrough-session

_____________________

NLU is not just a podcast; it’s a gateway to a wealth of resources designed to help you achieve your goals and dreams. From our Next Level Dreamliner to our Group Coaching, we offer a variety of tools and communities to support your personal development journey.

For more information, check out our website and socials using the links below. 👇

Website 💻 http://www.nextleveluniverse.com

Instagram 📷
Kevin: https://www.instagram.com/neverquitkid/
Alan: https://www.instagram.com/alazaros88/

Facebook ✍
Alan: https://www.facebook.com/alan.lazaros
Kevin: https://www.facebook.com/kevin.palmieri.90/

Email 💬
Kevin@nextleveluniverse.com
Alan@nextleveluniverse.com

LinkedIn ✍
Kevin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-palmieri-5b7736160/
Alan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanlazarosllc/

_______________________

Show notes:
(2:05) Why clients pay to offload responsibility
(4:23) Social media hides the hard work
(7:27) Recognition follows years of unseen effort
(14:53) Behind the scenes: Discipline fuels freedom
(16:09) More responsibility, better quality of freedom
(17:20) Teamwork turns responsibility into shared strength
(18:55) Outro

Send a text to Kevin and Alan!

🎙️ Hosted by Kevin Palmieri and Alan Lazaros

Next Level University is a top-ranked daily podcast for dream chasers and self-improvement lovers. With over 2,100 episodes, we help you level up in life, love, health, and wealth one day at a time. Subscribe for real, honest, no-fluff growth every single day.

True wisdom speaks softer than empty praise. In today’s episode, Kevin and Alan share powerful lessons about spotting the difference between feedback that fuels growth and feedback that creates confusion. From early podcast reviews to life advice from people with no experience, they reveal why not all opinions are worth your energy and how to filter out the noise. If you’ve ever wondered whether to take advice or toss it aside, this conversation will give you the clarity you need to keep moving forward. Listen now and discover how to spot the feedback that truly counts.

Learn more about:
🎙️ If you want to start, grow, scale, or monetize your podcast? Join our “Next Level Podcast Accelerator” – Round 20 – Starting October 7th. Use promocode: NLULISTENER, for 30% off - https://www.nextleveluniverse.com/group-coaching/

_____________________

NLU is not just a podcast; it’s a gateway to a wealth of resources designed to help you achieve your goals and dreams. From our Next Level Dreamliner to our Group Coaching, we offer a variety of tools and communities to support your personal development journey.

For more information, check out our website and socials using the links below. 👇

Website 💻 http://www.nextleveluniverse.com

Instagram 📷
Kevin: https://www.instagram.com/neverquitkid/
Alan: https://www.instagram.com/alazaros88/

Facebook ✍
Alan: https://www.facebook.com/alan.lazaros
Kevin: https://www.facebook.com/kevin.palmieri.90/

Email 💬
Kevin@nextleveluniverse.com
Alan@nextleveluniverse.com

LinkedIn ✍
Kevin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-palmieri-5b7736160/
Alan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanlazarosllc/

_______________________

Show notes:
(1:21) When praise and criticism become distorted
(6:07) Why context changes the meaning of feedback
(12:21) Feedback often serves the giver, not you
(19:15) Building strength through criticism and setbacks
(23:35) Take data, not conclusions, from feedback
(25:31) Outro

Send a text to Kevin and Alan!

🎙️ Hosted by Kevin Palmieri and Alan Lazaros

Next Level University is a top-ranked daily podcast for dream chasers and self-improvement lovers. With over 2,100 episodes, we help you level up in life, love, health, and wealth one day at a time. Subscribe for real, honest, no-fluff growth every single day.