Breaking Free from Hustle Culture: How to Build Success Without Burning Out

Entrepreneurship isn’t always about grinding 24/7—and Alex Schlinsky is here to prove it. In this episode of BizNinja Entrepreneur Radio, Tyler Jorgenson sits down with Alex, the founder of Prospecting on Demand, a sales coach, author, and proud heart surgery survivor. Alex shares how his childhood in an entrepreneurial family shaped his belief in hard work, resilience, and creating a life outside of the traditional “employee box.”

From his early days hustling as a social media marketer before Facebook ads even existed, to cold-calling his way into becoming a certified Miami Dolphins media member, Alex reveals how persistence and boldness defined his start. But he also opens up about the wake-up call that changed everything: open-heart surgery at just 29, when his wife was five months pregnant. That health crisis inspired his book, The Anti-Hustler’s Handbook, and a mission to help agency owners build businesses without sacrificing their lives.

You’ll hear Alex drop powerful mindset gems—including why most entrepreneurs chase “more” without ever defining success, the mantras he uses to beat negative self-talk, and his legendary “Secret Weapon Question” for closing sales. Whether you’re stuck in hustle culture, struggling to scale, or just need a reminder to give yourself grace, this episode is packed with real talk, laughs, and game-changing takeaways.

Takeaways

• Define Success on Your Terms: Don’t let society or influencers dictate what “winning” looks like. Get clear about what YOU actually want.
• The Anti-Hustle Mindset: Hard work matters, but blind hustle is a trap. Build a business that supports the life you love, not the other way around.
• The Secret Weapon Question: In sales, pull out the real buying criteria from your prospects. Go deeper than “I want results” to create trust and close deals.
• Give Yourself Grace (Not a Pass): You’ll stumble—everyone does. Learn from it, but stop punishing yourself for being human.
• Community Over Isolation: Entrepreneurship doesn’t have to be lonely. Build or join a supportive network to stay inspired and grounded.

Chapters

00:00 Welcome & Guest Intro – Alex Schlinsky

01:20 Growing Up in an Entrepreneurial Family

02:50 First Steps into Entrepreneurship

05:15 Hustling His Way into the Miami Dolphins Media Team

08:30 The Wake-Up Call: Open-Heart Surgery at 29

10:45 Writing The Anti-Hustler’s Handbook

14:50 Breaking Free from Hustle Culture

16:30 Mantras & Mindset Shifts That Work

18:50 Giving Yourself Grace (But Not a Pass)

19:45 Building Community with Prospecting on Demand

23:20 Sales Psychology & The Secret Weapon Question

27:40 Sales Example: “I Just Want a Treat”

28:10 Beyond Business: Life, Balance & Bucket Lists

29:08 Where to Find Alex Online & Closing