The Secret To Success with CJ, Karl, Jemal & Eric Thomas

“Be honest — what’s something you’ve been consistent at… but haven’t seen results from yet?”You can do the right things and still be headed in the wrong direction.In this episode of the Secret to Success Podcast, the conversation goes straight at a frustration many disciplined people quietly carry:“I followed the rules. I showed up. I stayed consistent… so why isn’t it working?”This isn’t a motivational episode. It’s an examination.The team breaks down why effort alone doesn’t produce growth, how consistency without measurement becomes rehearsed failure, and why isolation — not laziness — is often the real reason progress stalls.You’ll hear why pain is often proof of progress, why feedback is essential (even when it hurts), and how following the wrong formula can keep smart, hardworking people stuck for years.If you’ve been doing the work but questioning the results, this episode will help you identify what needs to change — without throwing away everything you’ve built.This conversation is about alignment, correction, and building with intention — not just grinding harder.Chapters00:00:00 Opening: Consistency Isn't Enough00:01:26 Welcome and Team Introductions00:06:55 How Do You Know When God Is Telling You to Move?00:11:33 The Power of Making Decisions Over Waiting00:13:23 Patterns Over Decisions: Learning God's Ways00:15:57 Excellence Is God: Moving in the Spirit of Excellence00:16:46 Consistency Without Quality Is Rehearsed Failure00:21:37 The Sandpaper People: Why You Need Correction00:24:18 Stop Working in Isolation: The Cage Mentality00:34:39 Measuring Progress: Pain Equals Progress00:38:04 Quick Evaluation: The Secret to Accelerated Growth00:40:15 Being Coachable: ET's Jordan Brand Adjustment00:43:09 Real Numbers, Real Accountability00:57:52 Breaking Free from Your Cage: Changing Your Circle01:02:07 Closing: Merry Christmas and Final EncouragementSubscribeIf you’re serious about growth — not just motivation — subscribe to the channel.New conversations drop weekly, focused on discipline, clarity, and building a life that actually works.Join Our Patreon CommunityIf you want to go deeper than the podcast, join our Patreon community.Patreon members get:- Behind-the-scenes conversations- Extended discussions and bonus content- Direct access to the community shaping these ideas in real timepatreon.com/s2spodcast120Share This EpisodeIf this episode made you uncomfortable — it’ll probably help someone you care about.Share it with a friend who’s doing everything right but feels stuck.Share this with someone who’s doing everything right but feels stuck

If life feels heavy, confusing, or just stuck… you’re not broken. You’re not cursed. You’re not “falling behind.”You’re in a phase nobody teaches you how to navigate: the dark season.In today’s episode, the guys break down why your hardest moments keep repeating, why running from discomfort actually makes it worse, and the one shift that finally moves you forward. ET explains how every version of success he’s had was formed in moments nobody saw. Jamal talks about the darkness that exposed the real picture of his life and pushed him toward real estate. Karl breaks down how creativity, identity, and resilience are all born in the dark—never in comfort.This conversation will change how you interpret struggle, setbacks, disappointment, and pressure. Because the truth is simple:You don’t grow in the light. You grow in the hard stuff. And once you know how to face it, everything changes.🔥 In This Episode You’ll Learn:Why God prepares your table in the presence of your enemies—and why you keep praying them awayHow darkness is not Satan's domain—it's where God forms everythingThe difference between light (what's already formed) and dark (where you're being formed)Why the Buffalo runs into the storm while everyone else gets stuck in it longerJamal's real story: sitting in that squad car at midnight, feeling like a failure—and how that darkness exposed the picture God was developingHow to do dark different: prepare before it comes, embrace it when it's here, and let it form you instead of break youWhy your prayers in the light are different than your prayers in the dark—and how that's costing you your breakthrough🚀 JOIN THE 1% CHALLENGESurround yourself with people who won’t let you settle.👉 ETOnePercent.com🎥 JOIN THE PATREON FAMILY (LIVE RECORDINGS + EXCLUSIVE CONTENT)Don’t just watch the podcast—experience it with us.👉 Patreon.com/S2SPodcast120📘 READ KARL’S BOOK — “Moving Past Potential”A blueprint for breaking through fear, hesitation, and overthinking.👉 MovingPastPotential.com

Ego can be a major roadblock to success, often pushing people into roles they aren’t suited for. The hosts discuss the perils of prioritizing titles over true mastery of one’s position. They emphasize the importance of honoring foundational relationships, while acknowledging the cost of personal fulfillment. New segments bring fresh insights, focusing on clarity in goal-setting and value in early investments. This frank conversation challenges listeners to confront their egos and effectively play their positions in life.

Life can feel like a relentless bully, but there’s a way to flip the script. Discover how to reclaim your power from fear and bad habits, and learn why being a producer is key to true freedom. The hosts explore intentionality as a game-changer in overcoming consumer traps and financial domination. They argue that knowing your gifts is essential, and taking proactive steps in your career and personal life can create lasting change. Embrace small wins and focus on your strengths to shift your life trajectory.

Explore why unqualified opinions can keep you stuck and how the 'Bully the Bully' mentality is essential for taking control of your life. The hosts tackle the difference between surviving and winning, illustrating it with powerful examples like boxing legends. They emphasize the importance of not letting 'opinion boys' dictate your path and stress building assets to reduce vulnerability to everyday bullies. Finally, the shift from consuming to producing is highlighted as key to unlocking your potential.

Emotions can create an invisible tax on your finances, driving poor decision-making. The hosts dive into the need for clear rules and diligent accountability to avoid emotional investing. They discuss the value of action over anxiety and the importance of personal boundaries in work. A mindset shift from motivation to non-negotiable rules is essential for achieving results. Additionally, they emphasize the importance of thorough due diligence in investments, urging listeners to seek concrete evidence before making financial commitments.

Whether your team is 1–5 or your home feels out of rhythm, this episode gives you the playbook: peace over moods, standards over scoreboard, purpose over procrastination. ET breaks down the same locker-room mentality he brings to pro teams—then we translate it to your marriage, money, and mindset. (And yes, we clown Jemal about the Bears some more 😅).In this episode you’ll learn:Serenity beats Happiness: why chasing “happy” keeps you stuck, and how to build steady peace you can stand on.Standards beat feelings: the non-negotiables that fix performance at work, at home, and on the field.The “fixer” trap: how to support your spouse without trying to control their journey.Imperfectly mindful: simple daily awareness habits that create momentum.From 1–5 to unstoppable: the mindset ET gives losing teams—and how to use it today.Next StepsTrain with ET for 21 days (free registration): etonepercent.com (spell out “one”).Join the Patreon for bonus segments, lives, and behind-the-scenes access for only $10: patreon.com/c/S2SPodcast120

The week the Ravens were 1–5 and about to face Chicago, ET walked into Baltimore’s locker room with a message—not hype, a standard. Jemal, a lifelong Bears fan, wants to know why ET had to deliver that talk right before they played his team. That friendly smoke sets the tone as we unpack the exact principles ET shared: why contracts beat feelings, how identity sets standards, standards drive behavior, and behavior produces results—on the field and in your life. We trace the arc from a losing record to a winning mindset, then translate it into practical moves you can use this week: building simple systems that work when your mood doesn’t, protecting momentum, and committing to one non-negotiable that changes the scoreboard at work and at home. By the end, Jemal makes his Bears case, ET makes the case for standards over vibes, and you’ll leave with a clear “12–5” plan—one covenant, seven days, real traction.If this hits, subscribe and share it with someone who needs a standard, not a speech. Drop “12–5” in the comments with the one rule you’re locking in this week, and we’ll read a few on the next episode.

Stop helping. Own the kill.For years, helping felt noble—but that was Level 1. In this episode, Karl opens up about his shift from approval-seeking supporter to hunter: taking ownership, moving first, and letting execution—not permission—set the pace. We break down how that mindset change is transforming his leadership, family life, business, and even real estate strategy.What you’ll getKarl’s real transition: supporter → slayer (ownership over approval)“Move first, figure it out later” — how hunters build momentumFamily & legacy: why your people need you leading from the frontReal estate lessons (1031s, opportunity zones, scale thinking) you can modelSimple systems to keep hunting when motivation dips🔥 Viewer Challenge (comment to commit)Drop “I’m hunting” + the ONE action you’ll take in the next 24 hours. We’ll shout out a few next episode.✅ Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@S2SPodcastChannel?sub_confirmation=1🔁 Share with someone stuck in “helper mode.”🎧 Get BTS + bonus on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/S2SPodcast120🌐 More from S2S: s2spodcast.com📲 IG: @s2spodcast

The hosts emphasize the importance of identifying your North Star for clarity in decision-making. They discuss the dangers of scattered hustle and how it impacts credibility. A focus on achievable goals, like health, creates momentum toward larger aims. The conversation highlights the benefits of setting KPIs and having tough conversations to maintain business standards. They argue that playing small can lead to winning, and experts should be valued over popular opinions. Lastly, they stress that focus is essential for success and avoiding distractions.