In this inspiring episode of Keep Hustling, host Aaron Gordon sits down with Kelly Meyer, whose journey from a near-high school dropout to a professor, author, and coach is anything but ordinary. Kelly shares powerful stories from his rebellious teenage years, the pivotal moments and people that challenged his trajectory, and how defying expectations ultimately led him to pursue higher education and help others. The conversation dives into ideas about finding your true "tribe," the value of bucking social norms while holding onto your core values, and how embracing introspection and meaningful connections can drive personal growth. Kelly also discusses his development of the Spark Game, a set of simple but thought-provoking questions designed to foster relationships and self-discovery. The episode wraps with a memorable lesson: ask yourself, "What is your slow elk?", an invitation to consider what risks or sacrifices you're willing to make to benefit others. This episode offers actionable insights on resilience, the importance of self-awareness, and how nurturing relationships can unlock greater success, both personally and professionally.

Keep Hustling Takeaway:Success isn't a straight line. Sometimes, hustle means resisting conformity, asking bigger questions, and having the guts to be yourself, even when that means standing out from the herd.

Get To Know Kelly Meyer

Kelly Meyer is an international, board certified, transformational coach, speaker, and author with doctorates and post-doc work in education and psychology. Kelly has been coaching 1 on 1, group coaching, facilitating workshops, and speaking for almost 30 years. He is the author of many publications as well as the co-creator of the Spark game, a fun, interactive game based on the core values of growth, relationships, and wellness. From being a near dropout to becoming a professor and successful coach, Kelly knows what hustle is all about.

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3 Key Listener Takeaways 1. Define Your Own Path: Kelly Meyer's journey from nearly dropping out of high school to becoming a professor and author illustrates that personal and professional success rarely follows a straight or traditional route. Rather than conforming to societal expectations, he leaned into his individuality and let his unique experiences, motivations, and even moments of defiance propel him toward growth and achievement.

2. Find and Build Your Pack: Kelly and Aaron discuss the importance of finding your own "pack" rather than sacrificing your true self for forced acceptance. Both in his personal journey and as a coach, Kelly highlights that authenticity attracts the right relationships, and real success happens when you stay true to your core values while seeking out connections that genuinely support and inspire your hustle.

3. Invest in Growth, Relationships, and Reflection: The creation of the Spark Game emerged from the belief in consciously nurturing growth, relationships, and wellness. Kelly demonstrates that taking meaningful time, even just a few minutes each day, for introspection and heartfelt conversation can lead to deeper self-awareness, stronger connections, and a more successful and fulfilling life.

Kelly's Inspirational Quote:

"What is your slow elk?"

Translation: What are you willing to risk or put on the line so others, or your own future, can benefit? Challenge yourself to think about your "slow elk" today.

Show Overview: 00:00 Skipping School for Pool Lessons

03:19 Old Man's Impactful Words

07:35 Challenging Societal Norms in Growth

10:00 Zebra Camouflage: Biologists' Dilemma

14:41 Reflecting on Teen Rebellion Impact

18:36 Exploring Spark Game's Core Values

22:11 Revelatory Question Game

24:57 Reviving Marital Connection

26:21 What’s Your Slow Elk?