Ep. 130: Kevin Stark, Former Navy SEAL & Marc Cabrera, Former Investment Banker

Topics:

• How to Avoid Mid-Career Burnout
• Confusing Activity with Productivity
• Building Mental Resilience Through Endurance

...and so much more.

Top Takeaways

• Write your own eulogy to reframe success. Professionals often hit a mid-career plateau where work feels less fulfilling. Kevin shares practical exercises to help reframe your purpose. One standout is the "Tombstone Exercise": write what you'd want on your tombstone or in your eulogy. This helps separate transactional accomplishments from transformational impacts. After all, most people want to be remembered as a good father, husband, mentor, or community leader—not just a top-performing MD.

• Energy management beats time management. Time is finite, but energy can be optimized. Kevin, Marc, and Jordan agree that true productivity doesn’t come from packed calendars or inbox zero. It comes from understanding when and how your energy peaks and protecting it for the moments that matter most—like deep work sessions or family time. Try this: audit your schedule for the next week, identify your high-energy hours, and reserve them for your most important tasks.

• The Dirt Bike Rule: How to navigate through life’s toughest ruts. When you hit a professional or personal rut, sometimes the best approach is to stay put. Marc uses a dirt bike analogy: on a rough trail, gripping the handlebars too tightly or forcing your way out often makes things worse. Stay loose, focus on the process, and ride it out. Moments like these build the patience, resilience, and perspective you need for long-term success.

Recommended Reads from This Episode

• “Never Enough” by Mike Hayes: Reframes success as aligning your life with a deeper mission rather than endlessly chasing more.
• “Happier” by Tal Ben-Shahar: Explains how balancing present enjoyment with future purpose leads to greater happiness.
• “Deep Work” by Cal Newport: Teaches how to structure your time for focus, creativity, and high-impact work.
• “The Psychology of Money” by Morgan Housel: Challenges the idea that wealth is about income, emphasizing control over time instead.
• “The Comfort Crisis” by Michael Easter: Explores how embracing discomfort—rather than fighting it—can lead to growth.

About Kevin Stark

Kevin Stark is a former Navy SEAL with 20+ years of experience, including time as a BUD/S instructor. Now a leadership coach, speaker, and ultra-endurance athlete, Kevin brings the same grit and mental toughness from his military career into his coaching. His programs help people reconnect with their core values and find meaning in the work they do every day.

About Marc Cabrera

Marc Cabrera is a former investment banker with 25+ years of experience, including multiple PE exits and board positions. After a successful career on Wall Street, Marc stepped away from finance to focus on family, community, and personal growth. He now serves as a volunteer firefighter and uses his experience to mentor others.