Most people aren’t stuck because they’re unqualified — they’re stuck because they’re too comfortable.

In this solo episode, Russ Bates gets brutally honest about how comfort zones become cages. He shares his own experience of avoiding public speaking, staying behind the scenes, and letting fear dictate what opportunities were “for him.” That fear kept him quiet. And it kept him small.

But once he stepped out? Everything changed.

Now Russ hosts two podcasts, speaks on panels, and has delivered expert witness testimony that helped shape real state energy policy — all because he chose to get uncomfortable.

This episode is about what happens when you stop waiting to feel ready and start doing the hard thing anyway. It’s raw, personal, and packed with perspective for anyone who's been sitting in silence, waiting for a sign.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• Why “being realistic” is often just fear in disguise

• How comfort keeps you from becoming the version of yourself you’re actually built to be

• What discomfort really is (hint: it’s the soreness of growth)

• How showing up imperfectly opens doors you didn’t know existed

• The truth about what’s on the other side of the fear you’ve been avoiding

If you’ve been holding back, waiting to feel confident, or stuck in a cycle of “almosts” and “maybes” — this episode will hit different.
You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to be willing.

So get uncomfortable. On purpose. That’s where the growth is.

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