Turning Fear Into Fuel & The Power of Listening

In this episode of Be the CEO, Tom Marino and Adam Hurd explore two of the most

overlooked yet powerful drivers of success for self-employed people: fear and listening.

Whether you’re running your own business, trying to scale, or just struggling to get unstuck,

this episode dives into how to transform the very things that scare or hold you back into

tools for growth.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

 Fear is not the enemy – staying stuck is.

Tom shares a post from Dan Sullivan on how fear signals growth, not danger, and

why entrepreneurs should view it as a guide instead of a roadblock.

 Uncertainty & self-employment.

Why self-employed people often misinterpret fear as a sign to retreat—and how to

use it to push forward into your next level of success.

 Adam’s parenting story.

A powerful anecdote about letting his son do “dangerous things carefully” (inspired

by Jordan Peterson) and how that applies to taking risks in business.

 The secret weapon: honest listening.

Adam highlights a Simon Sinek post on listening and explains how his Sandler

training transformed his ability to hear clients, not just talk at them.

 Why Atomic’s dual-coach model works.

Tom and Adam explain how having two coaches in the room gives clients “four ears”

instead of two, enabling deeper listening, multiple perspectives, and faster

breakthroughs.

 Healthy disagreement as a growth tool.

How modeling disagreement and differing perspectives helps clients build

confidence, set boundaries, and communicate effectively.

Key Takeaways:

 Fear shows up when something matters—use it as proof you’re on the right path.

 Uncertainty is a cue to learn, not a reason to retreat.

 True listening requires reflection, patience, and curiosity—skills you can develop.

 Multiple perspectives accelerate growth. Don’t fear disagreement; embrace it

Boundaries and honest communication are assets, not liabilities.

Links & Resources:

 Register for upcoming free events: bethe.ceo

 Connect with Tom & Adam at Atomic Business Coaching

In this episode, Tom Marino and Adam Hurd dive deep into what it really means to step out of self-employment and into true CEO leadership—at work and at home.

What We Cover in This Episode:

• The trap of self-employment: Why so many business owners simply create a new prison for themselves instead of finding freedom.
• Gary Vee’s challenge: “If you want it so bad, how are you not doing everything you can?” Adam and Tom unpack the meaning behind this mindset and how it applies to entrepreneurs.
• All in or in the way: The philosophy that has fueled Atomic Business Coaching and why commitment is non-negotiable.
• The power of clarity: Tom shares a Tony Robbins insight—“Clarity creates power”—and explains how values, beliefs, and behaviors shape both life and business success.
• Beliefs vs. values: Why unexamined beliefs create frustration and misalignment, and how choosing your beliefs leads to intentional values and sustainable growth.
• Certainty and decision-making: Adam stresses the importance of not just having clarity but pairing it with certainty and agency to take decisive action.

Key Takeaways:

• Commitment means doing everything you can—but it doesn’t mean doing it alone. Getting help is part of being all in.
• Obsession fuels commitment. If you’re not obsessed, it’s going to be hard to stay consistent.
• Your beliefs dictate your values, and your values dictate your behaviors. Examine them regularly.
• Clarity without action is useless. You need certainty and agency to translate clarity into growth.
• Sustainable business success comes from alignment, consistency, and purpose—not just one big win.

Resources & Next Steps:

• Learn more and register for free events and sessions: bethe.ceo
• Explore ways to work with Tom & Adam through Atomic Business Coaching

In this episode of the Be the CEO Podcast, Tom and Adam dive into two powerful ideas that every business owner needs to hear: working less but more effectively, and the importance of small beginnings. Drawing inspiration from Gary Vaynerchuk and Justin Welsh, they share personal stories, client examples, and practical insights on shifting from being “busy” to being truly impactful.

Whether you’re self-employed or leading a growing team, this conversation will challenge the way you think about productivity, attention, and momentum in both business and life.

What You’ll Learn

• Do Less, But Better – Why eliminating distractions and narrowing your focus leads to excellence and deeper impact.
• Busy Is Not Better – How to stop wearing the “busy badge” and instead prioritize meaningful, high-impact work.
• Work-Life Harmony – Why balance is a myth and how to create harmony between work, family, and personal growth.
• The Power of Small Beginnings – How one small LinkedIn post launched an $11M business for Justin Welsh, and why momentum always beats waiting for the “perfect time.”
• Attention Management – Using your energy and focus strategically to make progress without burnout.
• From Fear to Flow – How shifting away from perfectionism and procrastination opens the door to confidence and success.

Key Quotes

• “You’re either all in, or you’re in the way.” – Adam
• “Clarity doesn’t come from waiting—it comes from small actions.” – Tom
• “Momentum loves small beginnings.” – Justin Welsh

Resources & Mentions

• Essentialism by Greg McKeown
• Gary Vaynerchuk
• Justin Welsh

Join the Conversation

👉 Visit bethe.ceo for opportunities to meet with Tom and Adam.