What if the real pivot in your life isn’t about chasing more, but choosing growth over comfort?

In today’s episode of the Going Beyond the Deal podcast, J. Michael Fischer Jr. sits down with Charles Scott, former Intel Corporation executive turned executive mentor, to explore what it truly means to live a life of vitality, purpose, and self-directed growth. Charles shares the deeply personal journey that led him to leave a high-level corporate role at Intel to build a legacy centered around family, meaning, and transformation.

From cycling across Japan with his 8-year-old son to mentoring ambitious CEOs through their midlife transitions, Charles unpacks the power of “following the nudge,” embracing discomfort, and learning how to design a life that doesn’t just look good on paper, but actually feels fulfilling.

Whether you're an entrepreneur, executive, or high-performer quietly asking “Is this all there is?”—this conversation offers a roadmap to tune back into what really matters, without blowing up your life to get there.

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Enjoy!

Key takeaways:

• Why your dream job can still lead to stagnation—and how to recognize it
• The definition of vitality (and why it’s your most important metric)
• How to identify and act on a “nudge” when you feel called to change
• The difference between succeeding within a structure vs. building your own
• What the “ambitious person’s trap” looks like—and how to avoid it
• Why physical and emotional health are non-negotiable for growth
• How to use self-check-ins to realign your goals with who you are now
• Why the second half of life can be more creative, meaningful, and alive
• And much more…

Guest Bio:

Charles R. Scott is an executive mentor who helps leaders pursue ambitious goals while building lives of purpose and intentionality. After 14 years at Intel Corporation, Charles left the corporate world to become an adventurer, author, and co-founder of the nonprofit Team See Possibilities. He has cycled over 7,000 miles across Japan, Iceland, Europe, and the U.S. with his children, and guided the first blind runner to complete a nonstop double crossing of the Grand Canyon. Charles is the creator of the executive workshop “What Do You Want to Be When You Grow Up?”—delivered to thousands of CEOs and senior leaders across North America—and was named Speaker of the Year by TEC Canada. His talks have reached audiences at The World Bank, Uber, Intel, Harvard Business School, and more.

Resources:

ExecutiveMentorCharlesScott.com

Podcast Mentioned:

Good Life Project podcast

Book Mentioned:

Sparked: Discover Your Unique Imprint for Work that Makes You Come Alive

Disclaimer:

The views, information, or opinions expressed during this podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Going Beyond the Deal podcast or its affiliates. The content provided is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice. We make no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, suitability, or validity of any...