She’s So Lucky

Episode: Stop Telling Yourself This Lie About Success ft. Tricia Lee
Host: Les Alfred
Guest: Tricia Lee
Aired: January 27, 2026

Episode Overview

This empowering episode explores the real, often-misunderstood truth about success: it doesn’t magically get easier the further you go. Host Les Alfred is joined by real estate powerhouse and TV personality Tricia Lee, returning to the show after fresh visibility from “Owning Manhattan” Season 2. The conversation dives into how women can break self-imposed rules, challenge comfort zones, and keep growing personally and professionally—even (and especially) when it gets hard. They address the relentless myth that success means ease and openly share how discomfort, ego, and constant learning shape a truly rewarding journey.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Rule Worth Breaking [01:47–03:23]

• Tricia Lee sets the tone by declaring her rule to break: stop showing up in spaces that don’t align with her values.

  “Start leaving and exiting or saying no to things that you just don't value and stop feeling so much social pressure to do things just because.” [01:57 – Tricia Lee]

• She's prioritizing intention and presence in rooms that matter, rejecting old habits out of obligation or comfort.

• Les resonates, expressing her own desire to embody that refusal to bow to social pressure.

How She Decides What to Say No To:

• Tricia Lee: Brand comes first in business decisions—if an opportunity doesn't push her work forward, it’s a no. Personally, she’s comfortable saying no. She’s striving for more challenging, unfamiliar spaces to ensure growth.

  “It's easy for me to walk into a room of people that know me. I need to be in more rooms of people that have never heard of me…” [03:30]

2. Getting Comfortable Being Uncomfortable [06:32–10:29]

• Les notes Tricia’s push beyond Brooklyn to Manhattan as an example of resisting being boxed in by others' expectations.

• Tricia Lee:

  • Reveals the unseen reality: she leads a team, so her growth serves others’ careers, not just her own. Expanding across neighborhoods and sectors was necessary for collective advancement.
  • Admits the vulnerability—her ego thrives on being the best, but real growth only happens when she’s challenged and “starting over.”
  • She intentionally surrounds herself with discomfort (new firm, new media exposure) to keep evolving.

  “My ego is not going to take me to the next level. My character is.” [08:02 – Tricia Lee]

3. The Lie About Success: It Never Gets Easier [13:54–17:10]

• Les confronts the myth that only beginners or “less successful” people struggle with growth and self-doubt.

• Tricia Lee dismantles that myth:

  • Challenges persist and multiply as you rise. “It does not get easier, all the things I used to complain about and wish would go away when I was in my twenties did not go away…they tripled up, they quadrupled up because things got better.”
  • The answer isn’t finding “easy,” but getting better at handling the hard stuff.

  “Please stop looking for easy and success in the same room—please.” [15:47 – Tricia Lee]

  • She shares a moment vacationing with C-suite execs, realizing even the most accomplished are navigating similar messes and pressures.

4. Growth at Every Level: The Universality of Challenge [21:52–24:16]

• Les notes her own mastermind group experience, where “more successful” women still face familiar obstacles.

• Tricia Lee observes that the higher people go, the harder they work: “Greatness costs.” [22:25]

• Both emphasize that life doesn’t necessarily “get better” in the sense of ease—it’s about your own development, handling complexity, and being less fazed by external noise.

5. The Power of Bold Action & Preparation [24:16–30:03]

• Les spotlights Tricia’s entrance into commercial real estate, noting the importance of preparation and “acting as if”—pitching with clients already lined up before a deal closed.

• Tricia Lee explains her “luck” always involves boldness and action, not just waiting to be picked:

  “If I didn't go the extra mile, someone else would have…If you don't do it, somebody else will do it, and they might do it faster and they might do it better. So what are you going to do?” [29:00]

• In New York’s competitive market, staying ahead means deep preparation, moving fast, and refusing to be outworked.

6. The Myth of Balance for Ambitious Women [30:03–33:46]

• Les explains why her show rebranded away from “balance”—for high achievers, extreme work and unevenness is part of the process.

• Tricia Lee:

  • Discusses competition, collaborating with secure, experienced people, and the importance of reciprocal networking.
  • Her 10 years in real estate amount to 20 years of knowledge because of the wisdom shared through her relationships.

  “I have 10 years of experience in real estate, but 20 years combining your relationships, the knowledge of your relationships.” [33:46]

7. Relationship-Building as a Strategic Practice [34:07–39:39]

• On networking, Tricia advises treating it like work:

  “If you are an ambitious woman…you knew what to do over there, you know what to do over here.” [39:39]

• Apply ambition, strategy, and determination to whatever you want—whether it’s love or a new business.

• Les: Admits the advice felt pointed (“Drag me”).

• Tricia Lee: Playfully affirms it, underscoring that success in one area can translate to others.

8. Self-Knowledge, Pep Talks, and Building Yourself Up [41:10–47:17]

• Les asks about Tricia’s self-motivation and personal pep talks.

• Tricia Lee admits to listening to her own podcasts and treating tough personal challenges with the structure of work appointments (“I scheduled a difficult conversation with my dad as a calendar event”).

  “Sometimes I have to depersonalize what something is and make it a goal, because I'm goal-oriented.” [41:22]

• She details her “armor”—prepping herself with podcasts, articles, movement, and whatever helps her show up fully.

• The key: know yourself well enough to call out your avoidance strategies and push anyway.

9. Action Over Endless Planning [45:34–52:36]

• Tricia Lee critiques those who over-prepare:

  “I will be on the road with my door falling off, a crack in my windshield and no rear view mirror. But guess what I do? I get running to get to. And you're over here buffing your car, cleaning it…I'm there already.” [45:34]

• Both share stories of jumping into ventures quickly—Les launched her podcast in 10 days, Tricia opened her first salon 31 days after an idea. Fear was lessened because they “didn’t know better.”

  “If you're embarrassed for people to see your brand not perfect, you don't want to own a business.” [48:56 – Tricia Lee]

• Imperfection is part of growth. Trying and failing is better than waiting for perfect.

10. The Real “Rule” to Break in 2026 [50:17–51:33]

• For chronic over-planners: Break the rule that says you need to have all the answers before taking action.
• Take pride in figuring things out as you go. “Even if I fail miserably, I'm still further ahead because I tried.” [51:33]

Notable Quotes

• Tricia Lee:

  • “My ego is not going to take me to the next level. My character is.” [08:02]
  • “It doesn't get easier. The more successful you get, the harder it will become. So if you're looking for easy, do not look for success.” [15:47]
  • “If I didn't go the extra mile, someone else would have.” [29:00]
  • “I get running to get to. And you're over here buffing your car, cleaning it…I'm there already.” [45:34]
  • “If you're embarrassed for people to see your brand not perfect, you don't want to own a business.” [48:56]
  • “Treat it like work.” (on relationships and networking) [34:23][39:39]

• Les Alfred:

  • “Life is not better, you just get better.”
  • “The point of this show is to have aspirational conversations with people who might be more successful than you, but actually are still dealing with the same things just at a different level.” [13:54]

Key Timestamps

• 01:47–03:23 – Tricia’s “rule to break” & embracing intentional presence
• 06:32–10:29 – Breaking out of comfort zones; team expansion and personal vulnerability
• 13:54–17:10 – The myth of ease in success; why it never “gets easier”
• 24:16–30:03 – The Manhattan/Commercial leap: boldness, preparation, “acting as if”
• 33:46–34:23 – Building relationships and multiplying expertise
• 41:10–41:22 – Self-motivation: pep talks and scheduled courage
• 45:34–47:17 – Action over perfection: getting in the game
• 50:17–52:36 – The importance of messy beginnings

Tone & Takeaways

Candid, motivational, and often humorous, this episode is a balm for women seeking honest conversations about what it really takes to build a remarkable career and life. Tricia’s blend of vulnerability and no-nonsense wisdom will inspire you to stop waiting for permission, break your own “rules,” and take messy, bold action.

Main Takeaway:
Success is not synonymous with ease or perfection. True achievement demands continual self-honesty, bold action despite fear, nurturing connections, and relentless willingness to show up even (especially) when it’s not comfortable. If you’re waiting for everything to be ready, you’ll wait forever—the only way forward is to get in the game.

Connect with Tricia Lee

• Social: [@lovetricially] everywhere
• Website: trishalee.com
• Podcast: Short & Sweet Suite with Tricia Lee

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