In Episode 256 of The Business Development Podcast, Kelly welcomes back mindset and performance coach Ben Spangl for a powerful conversation about redefining success and reclaiming freedom now—not someday. Together, they dive deep into the entrepreneurial rollercoaster, unpacking the burnout, emotional resistance, and false beliefs that keep high performers stuck in overdrive. Ben shares how he rebuilt his life after burning out, why the “sacrifice now, live later” mindset is broken, and how business owners can start designing a joyful life today without slowing their growth.

From learning to delegate and use your time more effectively, to recognizing when you're chasing validation instead of fulfillment, this episode is a wake-up call for entrepreneurs who are grinding without joy. Whether you're building a coaching business, running a podcast, or scaling a startup, Ben’s wisdom will challenge your assumptions and give you practical steps to realign with the life you set out to create in the first place. If you’ve ever wondered whether freedom and success can co-exist—this one’s for you.

Key Takeaways:

1. True freedom isn’t found later—it’s something you can build into your life today.

2. Most entrepreneurs confuse flexibility with freedom and end up designing their own prison.

3. Burnout is often the byproduct of believing your business will only grow if you suffer.

4. Delegating, automating, or deleting tasks is essential if you want to scale *and* breathe.

5. Joy isn’t a distraction from growth—it’s the fuel that makes sustained success possible.

6. Reclaiming time for things you love actually increases creativity, energy, and productivity.

7. Success that costs you everything else is not success—it’s imbalance.

8. Fear shows up in resistance—naming it breaks its grip so you can move forward anyway.

9. Mastery of your craft is what earns you freedom, but mindset is what protects it.

10. You don’t need to wait until you hit your goals to live well—you can start right now.

Looking for conversations that actually move the needle? Join The Catalyst Club at www.kellykennedyofficial.com—where real entrepreneurs get real support.