Finding Peace Beyond Success with Andrew Anderson

What if the emptiness you feel despite your success isn't a sign you're broken, but a signal you're ready for something deeper?

In this episode, Andrew Anderson, a transformational coach for high-achieving business leaders, shares his remarkable journey from elementary school playground helper to teaching career to becoming the guide that successful entrepreneurs call when they have "problems money can't solve." Through two pivotal relationships, Xavier, a Belgian mentor he met at 19 who still coaches him 21 years later, and Kevin Hall (former VP of Franklin Covey), who saw potential in him during his darkest season. 

Andrew discovered how to help others move from survival to thriving, from playing defense to playing offense with their lives. From reconnecting with Xavier during his friend's divorce and flipping their mentor-mentee dynamic, to standing in the Virgin River at Zion National Park receiving divine inspiration to write a book that would later save a man's life, Andrew reveals how the right relationships at the right time don't just change your business trajectory but reshape your entire identity and calling. His approach cuts through years of traditional therapy in hours, helping clients rewire neural pathways and reconnect with who they truly are beneath the pain.

Andrew reflects on honoring the versions of ourselves that went through hard things, why most people are playing not to lose instead of playing to win, and how a single conversation can absolutely change the trajectory of a career, relationship, or life.

 

[00:04:42] What Andrew Does: Solving Problems Money Can't Solve

• Shows up in three or four important roles each day

• First as a son of God

• Husband supporting wife who homeschools and does foot zoning

• Father to seven children

[00:07:25] The Origin Story: Fourth Grade Playground

• Met Lap, a Vietnamese student who spoke zero English

• Became his playground buddy through the universal language of play

• Lap helped Andrew with math; Andrew helped him with sports

• First recognition of unique ability to see needs and show up for individuals

[00:10:50] The Unique Ability Discovery

• References Dan Sullivan's Strategic Coach concept

• Like Marcus Colius told Kevin: "This is the Holy Spirit working through you"

• Unique abilities reveal themselves through stewardship, not searching

[00:16:06] The Transition: From Teaching to Coaching

• Six years as a classroom teacher

• Went through separation and divorce that felt like life was over

• Lost career, marriage, and family simultaneously

• Left teaching, sold real estate for one year, then started coaching agents

[00:20:00] Client Success Story: "Jared"

• Nearly million-dollar business but struggling with drug addiction, porn addiction

• Couldn't have children for several years, had hard time keeping money

• Worked at deep unconscious level to find root causes of self-sabotage

• Process took hours, not years - created new neural pathways

[00:24:33] Playing Offense vs. Defense

• Andrew's 76-year-old dad's wisdom: "Play to win, don't play not to lose"

• Most people in life are playing defense, trying to get out of pain

• First day and a half with clients: playing defense but with love, not resistance

[00:27:37] Xavier: The 21-Year Friendship

• Met in Belgium when Andrew was 19, Xavier was 28-29

• Still FaceTimes to this day after 21 years

• Has visited Andrew's home three times, supports his retreats

• Andrew's best friend and coach for deepest heart and soul questions

[00:29:26] Kevin Hall: The Professional Catalyst

• Met summer 2015 during Andrew's transition period

• Former VP of Sales at Franklin Covey, worked with Stephen Covey

• Author of "Aspire" teaching 10 powerful words

• Saw something in 29-year-old Andrew during training event

• Took Andrew under his wing in group coaching

[00:32:04] The Book That Saved a Life

• Standing in Virgin River at Zion National Park at Kevin Hall's event

• God said: "You're gonna write a book"

• Title: "Strength of the Oak, Strength of the Willow"

• Two things keeping him from suicide: the Bible and Andrew's book

 

KEY QUOTES

"Single conversation is guaranteed to change the trajectory of a career, a relationship, or a life. Any single conversation absolutely can." - Andrew Anderson (quoting Susan Scott)

"You need to honor and respect that version of you because you would not be doing what you're doing and helping who you're helping or anything without having gone through that experience." - Xavier (to Andrew)

"You gotta play to win. Don't play not to lose." - Andrew's 76-year-old dad

"It's really hard to move forward while you're looking back." - Andrew Anderson

"If you want to find yourself, you're gonna have to lose yourself. And if you're looking for happiness, the best way to find it is to give and do it unconditionally." - Andrew Anderson (referencing Jesus)

CONNECT WITH ANDREW ANDERSON

📱 Cell: 208-494-4497 

🌐 Website: https://www.andrewlanderson.com 

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewlanderson85

 

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