EP203 - From Burnout to Purpose: Why Scott Danner Walked Away from the Fortune 500
In this episode of The Tyler Dickerhoof Show, Tyler sits down with Scott Danner—CEO, entrepreneur, performance coach, and host of The High Performance Life—for a raw and powerful conversation about breaking out of the boxes life puts us in. From leaving a stable Fortune 500 career to building a company that redefined his industry, Scott opens up about the cost of playing small and what it really takes to pursue purpose over comfort.
Together, they unpack what it means to live with a winning mentality—not just in business, but in marriage, parenting, and leadership. Scott shares why your inner circle might be holding you back, how to know when it’s time to leap, and why mentorship is the real shortcut to success. They also discuss the danger of “possession without purpose” and how creating generational wealth starts with a mindset shift, not just a business plan. If you’ve ever felt stuck, unfulfilled, or called to something more, this conversation will give you the clarity, courage, and practical wisdom to take the next step.
Meet Scott Danner
A CEO, entrepreneur, coach, consultant and LIFE Optimization specialist, he is the author of the Amazon best-selling book Freedom Street. He hosts the podcast The High Performance LIFE for high performers in any profession.
Although a high income is often the by-product of success, Scott encourages high performers to focus first on L.I.F.E. (an acronym representing love, impact, faith and energy), and understand that, from there, the money will follow. He believes we all can make a greater impact when these four critical components of our lives are focused on and in symmetry.
IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:
00:00 Introduction
01:32 Why energy matters in the room you're in
05:05 Leaving a 15-year career to pursue a bigger purpose
08:00 Choosing regret vs. choosing risk
15:01 Why your circle might be holding you back
17:09 What if your parents don’t get your dream?
24:00 Build your business like you’ll sell it one day
25:31 Generational businesses can become toxic
27:42 College is no longer the golden ticket
35:18 Are you holding back without realizing it?
37:15 How a winning mentality transforms relationships
41:01 Teach kids the power of winning, not just playing
43:44 Losing can be a win
46:37 Embrace risk for growth
49:35 How to overcome fear and take the next step forward
Resources, books, and links mentioned in this episode:
Follow Scott:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7_zYDRBiJmLuVlwcCi3qzQ
https://www.linkedin.com/company/scott-danner-freedom-street
https://www.instagram.com/scottwdanner/?hl=en
https://www.facebook.com/authorscottdanner
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About the Tyler Dickerhoof Show Podcast
The Impact Driven Leader Podcast, hosted by Tyler Dickerhoof, is for Xillennial leaders who have felt alone and ill-equipped to lead in today's world. Through inspiring interviews with authors from around the world, Tyler uncovers how unique leadership strengths can empower others to achieve so much more, with real impact.
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