051 -- Leaving Millions Behind for What Matters Most

In this episode, Brandon Noll—former Wall Street high-flyer turned values-driven leader—joins Coach Woody to tell the raw and remarkable story of walking away from a multi-million dollar finance career in pursuit of faith, family, and fulfillment.

From selling minor league baseball tickets door to door to turning down offers from Goldman Sachs, Brandon’s journey is a powerful case study in redefining success—and choosing integrity over income.

Together, Brandon and Coach Woody explore:

✅ The “bar moment” that changed Brandon’s life trajectory
✅ What Wall Street couldn’t give him—but a forklift in Charlotte did
✅ How his dad’s stroke and a LinkedIn like led to love, marriage, and meaning
✅ Why success without alignment leads to burnout
✅ The Moderna vs. Pfizer decision that became a character-defining moment
✅ How servant leadership shows up in parenting, business, and marriage
✅ Why imposter syndrome never fully disappears—and why that’s a good thing

This episode is a must-listen for high achievers standing at the crossroads of career and calling—ready to leave behind what looks good for what actually feels right.

🔔 Don’t forget to follow the show for more conversations that challenge success, elevate purpose, and embrace a life well-lived.

✨ Stay connected:
LinkedIn: Coach Lucas Woody
YouTube: @TheNextBetter
Website: https://nextbetter.com

00:00 – Intro: Brandon’s path from small-town Indiana to Wall Street
01:40 – The “aha” moment at the bar: success ≠ fulfillment
04:45 – Selling tickets, eating ramen, and learning grit in Raleigh
07:50 – From finance to forklift: leaving Wall Street behind
10:30 – Witnessing his dad’s stroke and rediscovering what matters13:00 – The LinkedIn like that led to love15:00 – Building a family and shifting purpose18:30 – “I wouldn’t have understood it six months earlier”20:00 – The Wall Street bar scene that sealed his decision23:00 – The paradox of progress: sometimes the minors are the big leagues27:30 – Addictive personalities and competing to not lose30:00 – The Moderna vs. Pfizer moral dilemma33:00 – Choosing character over profit—and sleeping well at night36:00 – Raising daughters with integrity and example39:00 – Authenticity as a leadership advantage42:30 – What CEOs want isn’t perfection—it’s presence45:00 – Imposter syndrome: why it never leaves and what to do with it48:00 – Leadership blind spots: when wins go uncelebrated51:00 – Speak Life: using strengths to serve others55:00 – New success metrics: time, presence, family59:30 – “Parenting is only hard for good parents”1:01:00 – Final reflections and where to find Brandon