Matt Doan is a transformational coach and entrepreneur dedicated to helping senior professionals break free from the constraints of corporate life and build sustainable, purpose-driven businesses online.
After spending a decade climbing the corporate ladder in management consulting, he faced a personal crisis that forced him to reevaluate his path. Determined to reclaim his life, he immersed himself in entrepreneurship, coaching, and high-level mastermind programs, ultimately developing a proven system for transitioning from corporate roles to entrepreneurial freedom without unnecessary risk.
Since 2019, Matt has guided hundreds of professionals through this life-changing journey, offering structured strategies and real-world insights to help them achieve autonomy, financial stability, and a fulfilling career beyond the traditional workforce.
IN THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARN:
(3:44) Matt shares his journey from a burnout in management consulting to cutting his work hours by 50% and founding a business that aids other corporate executives in finding creative freedom.
(4:14) Michael and Matt discuss the existential crisis in corporate careers, focusing on the lack of meaning and purpose many feel in their professional lives.
(4:59) Matt attributes these feelings to the pervasive influence of social media and changing generational expectations. He discusses how these platforms and societal shifts provoke a reevaluation of personal and professional goals.
(8:23) The dialogue turns to the importance of aligning one's career with personal fulfillment, emphasizing that genuine satisfaction comes from pursuing work that aligns with one's passions and not just the glamorous images seen on social media.
(9:52) Michael speaks on the significance of listening to one's emotions in career choices, suggesting that fulfillment comes from careers that align with personal values and passions.
(12:31) Matt advocates for breaking away from traditional career labels and pursuing work that allows for personal expression and fulfillment.
(33:19) The conversation shifts to managing fear and uncertainty when making significant career changes. Matt discusses the role of personal beliefs in shaping responses to career challenges.
(39:53) Matt shares the personal impact of journaling on his life transformation, particularly how it helped him navigate his divorce and redefine his life goals.
(49:38) The podcast concludes with a discussion on setting ambitious life and career goals to foster personal growth and how facing challenges head-on is essential for progress.
(1:00:30) Matt mentions Ralph Waldo Emerson and Jim Carrey as personal inspirations, discussing their influence on his views of self-reliance and personal evolution.
(1:06:40) Michael and Matt wrap up by emphasizing the power of networking and building community, particularly how these have supported their journeys towards self-directed careers.
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BOOKS AND RESOURCES
- Ralph Waldo Emerson's works on self-reliance - Matt refers to Emerson's philosophy, particularly the concept of self-reliance, as a significant influence in his life. He even named his son after Emerson, highlighting the deep impact of these ideas on his personal and professional philosophy.
- Jim Carrey's interviews and philosophical evolution - Matt references the transformation and interviews of Jim Carrey as a source of inspiration. He discusses how Carrey's journey from a comedic actor to a philosophical figure has influenced him, particularly in terms of detachment from external validation and finding inner peace.
- The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing: Violate Them at Your Own Risk! by Al Ries and Jack Trout - Matt discusses this book in the context of category design, emphasizing its importance in thinking about how to position oneself uniquely in the business world. He uses the concept to advocate for creating a new category for one’s business as a pathway to success.
- Connect with Matt on his website, LinkedIn and his podcast.
