Chief Change Officer Podcast Summary
Episode #300: Sande Golgart – What If You’re Winning the Wrong Game? (Part One)
Host: Vince Chan
Release Date: April 14, 2025

Introduction

In Episode #300 of the Chief Change Officer podcast, host Vince Chan welcomes Sande Golgart, a multifaceted individual whose journey from a national slam dunk champion to a seasoned corporate leader and founder of SEG (Simple, Easy Growth) provides profound insights into personal transformation and redefining success. This two-part series delves into themes of ambition, burnout, self-discovery, and the quest for authentic fulfillment beyond conventional achievements.

Guest Introduction: Sande Golgart’s Journey

Sande begins by sharing his early passion for basketball, which symbolized his desire to "fly" both literally and metaphorically. Growing up in Denver, Colorado, his inspiration was fueled by basketball legends like Michael Jordan and Dominique Wilkins. Sande recounts his rigorous training—doing "a hundred toe raises on every stair, 1400 every night before bed"—which culminated in winning the national slam dunk championship and becoming a four-year starter at the University of Colorado in Boulder.

However, a skiing accident abruptly ended his athletic career and forced him to pivot into the corporate world. Applying his competitive spirit and work ethic from sports, Sande navigated almost three decades in the corporate sector, achieving significant success but eventually feeling unfulfilled.

From Athletics to the Corporate Ladder

Transitioning from sports to business, Sande adopted strategies familiar to him: "size up the competition, outwork everybody, and get ahead." His corporate ascent was marked by leadership roles, including managing over 250 locations for Regis (the precursor to WeWork). Despite impressive career milestones, Sande experienced a growing sense of dissatisfaction.

Quote:
"My whole focus was on my kids, making sure they were successfully launched into the world. And I just had this kind of feeling in the pit of my stomach that this wasn't Apex Mountain. There was more here."
— Sande Golgart [02:56]

The Pursuit of Success and Its Hidden Costs

Sande reflects on the hollow pursuit of money, power, and recognition, which, although externally successful, left him grappling with internal voids. He admits that his upbringing taught him to equate suffering with worthiness, leading him to numb his emotions and relentlessly chase achievements. This relentless drive, however, concealed a growing discontent and a nagging sense that his true potential was untapped.

Quote:
"I spent a big part of those three decades numbing myself a bit to what was going on around me and not allowing myself to feel anything."
— Sande Golgart [08:52]

Realization and Shifting Priorities

The turning point came as Sande’s children became independent, granting him time to introspect. He began "cleaning up [his] diet, stopping drinking alcohol," and stripping away layers of external pressures to reconnect with his authentic self. This period of self-discovery led him to redefine wealth—not merely in monetary terms but as the ability to "do what I want, when I want, with minimal effort."

Quote:
"I rewired myself to think of wealth in terms of being able to do what I want, when I want, with minimal effort."
— Sande Golgart [08:15]

Embracing the Life Pills Method

Sande introduces the Life Pills Method, a philosophy centered on becoming more oneself by eliminating unnecessary additions rather than accumulating more. This method emphasizes clarity, managing stress, and fostering a deep connection with one’s innate talents and life energy.

Quote:
"The Life Pills method is a way of becoming more of yourself by stripping things away, not adding more on."
— Sande Golgart [02:56]

Action vs. Intentional Inaction

A significant portion of the conversation explores the balance between action and inaction. Sande differentiates between mindless busyness driven by ego and inspired action that aligns with one’s true self. He cites examples of historical figures like Gandhi and Albert Einstein to illustrate how moments of introspection and intentionality can lead to profound achievements.

Quote:
"Action is better than inaction... when we allow ourselves to relax and pay attention to our thoughts and feelings, we become incredibly inspired to take action when it's the right time."
— Sande Golgart [23:36]

Lessons from Yoga and Rumi

Sande shares how yoga and the teachings of Rumi profoundly influenced his approach to life and business. A pivotal moment was when he read a Rumi quote that transformed his understanding of desire and fulfillment:

Quote:
"When I chase what I think I want, my life becomes a furnace of stress and anxiety. When I sit in silence, I realized that what I want also wants me. It is looking for me, and it will find me."
— Sande Golgart [08:52]

This realization led him to embrace a more serene and synchronous approach to achieving his goals, prioritizing internal peace over external accolades.

Redefining Success and Wealth

Sande articulates a nuanced view of success, intertwining personal satisfaction with professional achievements. For him, true wealth encompasses not just financial stability but also the freedom to enjoy life’s miracles, maintain health, and foster meaningful relationships.

Quote:
"A better you is already unfolding... I've now dedicated myself to understanding... how do you actually live it in real life, with bills to pay and mortgages."
— Sande Golgart [22:31]

Host’s Reflection: Vince Chan’s Parallel Experience

Towards the end of the episode, Vince Chan shares his own journey of starting the Chief Change Officer podcast. He relates to Sande’s experiences, highlighting how following inspiration rather than a rigid plan led to organic growth and unexpected success. This parallel underscores the episode’s central theme of aligning actions with inner motivations for authentic achievement.

Quote:
"I started the podcast without a business plan or goals around monetization. I just followed the idea, and along the way things unfolded."
— Vince Chan [29:17]

Conclusion and Teaser for Part Two

As Part One concludes, the conversation sets the stage for further exploration in Part Two, where Sande will discuss the aftermath of his corporate climb—how to grow, heal, and build something truly fitting. Topics like the Life Pills Method and maintaining personal integrity while achieving success will be further unpacked.

Closing Remarks:
"We heard how Sandy chased success, got lost, and realized the summit wasn't even his. Next, we get into what happens after the climb. How to grow, how to heal, and how to build something that actually fits."
— Vince Chan [33:12]

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Sande Golgart [02:56]:
  "The Life Pills method is a way of becoming more of yourself by stripping things away, not adding more on."

• Sande Golgart [08:15]:
  "I rewired myself to think of wealth in terms of being able to do what I want, when I want, with minimal effort."

• Sande Golgart [08:52]:
  "I spent a big part of those three decades numbing myself a bit to what was going on around me and not allowing myself to feel anything."

• Sande Golgart [23:36]:
  "Action is better than inaction... when we allow ourselves to relax and pay attention to our thoughts and feelings, we become incredibly inspired to take action when it's the right time."

• Sande Golgart [22:31]:
  "A better you is already unfolding... I've now dedicated myself to understanding... how do you actually live it in real life, with bills to pay and mortgages."

• Vince Chan [29:17]:
  "I started the podcast without a business plan or goals around monetization. I just followed the idea, and along the way things unfolded."

Key Takeaways

1. Redefining Success: Moving beyond traditional metrics like money and power to embrace personal fulfillment, health, and authentic happiness.

2. Life Pills Method: Emphasizes stripping away unnecessary layers to connect with one's true self and life energy.

3. Inspired Action: Encourages actions driven by inner motivation and clarity rather than external pressures or ego.

4. Mindfulness and Clarity: Highlighting the importance of mental and emotional well-being in achieving sustainable success.

5. Personal Transformation: Sharing the journey of moving from a high-pressure corporate environment to a more balanced and purposeful life.

6. Connection and Community: The role of supportive relationships and communities in fostering personal growth and transformation.

This episode serves as a profound exploration of what it means to truly succeed and grow beyond societal expectations. Sande Golgart’s candid reflections and philosophical insights offer listeners a roadmap to personal transformation, encouraging them to question their own definitions of success and align their actions with their deepest aspirations.

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This summary encapsulates the essence of Episode #300, providing a comprehensive overview for those who seek inspiration and practical wisdom to outgrow themselves and achieve meaningful transformation.