Chad Willardson: Living Fully Invested, Saying No to Wrong Opportunities, and Building A Legacy

In this episode of Case Studies, Casey sits down once again with Chad Willardson - Founder of Pacific Capital and ELEVATED a coaching mastermind, as well as a best-selling author of five books; for a powerful conversation on wealth, focus, and building a life without compromise.

Chad shares how narrowing his focus to serve only ultra high-net worth entrepreneurs transformed his business and his ability to deliver real value. He and Casey dive into the discipline of saying no, the courage required to walk away from the wrong opportunities, and the freedom that comes from aligning your work with your true identity. Chad also opens up about creating ELEVATED, a community where entrepreneurs can grow not only in business but in family and life, challenging the false idea of “balance” by embracing what it means to be Fully Invested.

The discussion is rich with lessons on focus, growth without finish lines, and leading with principle over profit. For entrepreneurs and leaders seeking clarity, conviction, and a model of integrated success, this episode offers a masterclass in designing both business and life with intention.

00:00 | Welcome back & “Fully Invested” mindset

01:41 | Family update: missions, college, adventures

03:00 | Amber’s endurance wins: Ironman, Alcatraz, 29029

04:17 | Why growth is emotional when you support your spouse

07:31 | Bringing business principles home: family vision boards

09:33 | Kids’ ambitions: macros, sports, golf, and grit

12:05 | Two lanes: Pacific Capital UHNW founders & Elevated

13:36 | What Elevated members get weekly 1:1, pods, events

14:51 | Pricing & scale goals for Elevated

15:13 | Carving out 80% of clients to go ultra-narrow

16:13 | Partnering clients, retention, and bold focus

17:44 | The sports facility business: ops, margins, expansion

20:26 | USA Volleyball opportunity & LA mega-facility

21:22 | COVID pivot: tutoring essential workers’ kids to survive

22:42 | Content, reach, and building a movement around mindset

26:48 | Frameworks: saying no, time truth, one life calendar

29:15 | Protecting the calendar: Derby vs. son’s playoff game

33:29 | Championship teams: coach strengths, not weaknesses

36:13 | Saying no to good for great incl. NBA referrals

38:45 | Turning away $120M: culture over revenue

40:52 | Scalable mentorship: resources + voice memo workflow

44:47 | Two-EA triad: personal vs. business lanes

47:15 | Books solve real problems: 6 titles, 10-in-10 plan

49:44 | Tony & Dean’s Zenith: proximity, launches, real estate

53:23 | Owner vs operator: lessons from Business Mastery

53:53 | No retirement: growth without finish lines

55:47 | One-year vision: LA facility, 500 Elevated members

56:33 | Pacific Capital +$400M AUM; narrow by design

57:22 | Book #7 commitment & public goal setting

01:00:20 | 10k-person Fully Invested live event plan

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